Denson v. Mici

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS

MACARTHUR DENSON,

Plaintiff,

v. CIVIL ACTION NO. 21-10167-MPK

CAROL A. MICI,

Defendant.

MEMORANDUM AND ORDERS

ON PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL (#15)

AND DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO DISMISS (#18).

KELLEY, U.S.M.J.

I. Introduction.

MacArthur Denson, an inmate at the Souza Baranowski Correctional Center (SBCC), has

filed suit against Carol A. Mici, the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Correction

(DOC). Denson alleges that he is a devoutly practicing Muslim and that Mici’s failure to provide

him with pure, chemical free prayer oils violates the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized

Persons Act (RLUIPA), see 42 U.S.C. § 2000cc, et seq. (#1.)

Denson has moved for appointment of counsel. (#15.) Mici has moved to dismiss. (#18.)

On October 12, 2021, the court heard argument and took the motions under advisement. The court

offered the parties the opportunity to submit further briefing by October 29, 2021. Denson filed a

timely supplemental opposition. (#39.) In response to Denson’s supplemental opposition but

weeks after the October 29 deadline, Mici filed a “Notification” (#40), to which Denson has

responded. (#41.)

The motions are ready for disposition. For the reasons set out below, the court denies

Denson’s motion for appointment of counsel without prejudice. The court denies Mici’s motion to

dismiss.1

II. Plaintiff’s Motion for Appointment of Counsel (#15).

There is no constitutional right to appointed counsel in a civil case. Cookish v.

Cunningham, 787 F.2d 1, 2 (1st Cir. 1986) (per curiam); see DesRosiers v. Moran, 949 F.2d 15,

23 (1st Cir. 1991). Denson has been granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis (#8) and may seek

appointed counsel under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1). To qualify, he must show “exceptional

circumstances.” Cookish, 787 F.2d at 2; see Minggia v. Worcester Cty. House of Corr., No. 11-cv-

40002-FDS, 2012 WL 928711, at *1 (D. Mass. Mar. 12, 2012) (“exceptional circumstances must

exist such that denial of counsel will result in fundamental unfairness impinging on [plaintiff’s]

due process rights” (citation omitted)).

On a motion for appointment of counsel, the court weighs the totality of the circumstances.

DesRosiers, 949 F.2d at 24. Relevant circumstances include the complexity of the factual and legal

issues involved and plaintiff’s ability to bring the case himself. Cookish, 787 F.2d at 2-3. The court

may also weigh plaintiff’s prior experience representing himself and the likelihood of success on

the merits. Minggia, 2012 WL 928711, at *1.

1 Mici filed a form indicating consent to proceed before a magistrate judge under 28 U.S.C.

§ 636(c). (#23.) Denson’s forms were unclear. However, he submitted a letter to the court stating

that it is his intent to consent to proceed before a magistrate judge. (#21; #22; #22-1.) At the

October 12 hearing, Denson confirmed that he consents to proceed before a magistrate judge. Oct.

12 Tr. (#43) at 4.

Denson argues that this case will set precedent because the issue of whether a prisoner must

be given access to chemical-free prayer oils is undecided. He also asserts that, while he has some

experience representing himself, he is unable to properly do so here. (#15 at 1-2.)

Based on the totality of the circumstances, the court finds that Denson has not shown

“exceptional circumstances.” Denson appears able to adequately represent himself. He has filed

appropriate motions. (#2; #3; #15; #24; #29.) He has communicated with the court and filed

appropriate responses to its orders. (#5; #6; #7; #37.) His briefing in opposition to dismissal is

cogent and supported by legal citations. (#34; #39; #41.) At the October 12 hearing, he ably

articulated his claims.

A search of the court’s records shows that Denson previously has brought two cases related

to religious exercise, in 1998 and 2014. Denson v. Marshall et al., No. 98-cv-11156-WGY; Denson

v. Gelb, No. 14-cv-14317-DPW. He was never appointed counsel in the 1998 case. See Denson,

No. 98-cv-11156-WGY, ECF Nos. 3, 4, 15, Docket; see also Denson v. Marshall, 59 F. Supp. 2d.

156, 156-157 (D. Mass. 1999), aff’d, Denson v. Marshall, 230 F.3d 1347 (1st Cir. 2000) (per

curiam) (unpublished). Eventually, he was appointed counsel in the 2014 case, given the novelty

and potential merit of his claim. See Denson, No. 14-cv-14317-DPW, ECF Nos. 4, 9, 32-33; see

also Denson v. Gelb, No. 14-cv-14317-DPW, 2015 WL 4271481, at *3-4 (D. Mass. July 13,

2015).2

It is too soon to tell whether Denson’s claim in this case has merit. However, responding

to his argument that this is a case of first impression, the court notes that RLUIPA (and First

Amendment) claims regarding access to prayer oils have been adjudicated by federal district

2 In the 2014 case, which involved RLUIPA, Denson had some success. Judge Woodlock entered

declaratory judgment. See Denson, No. 14-cv-14317-DPW, ECF Nos. 70 at 38; 71.

courts. See, e.g., Sargent v. Long, No. 17-cv-12 NAB, 2020 WL 7240443, at *7-8 (E.D. Mo. Dec.

9, 2020); Davis v. Powell, No. 10-cv-1891-JLS(RBB), 2011 WL 4344251, at *11-12 (S.D. Cal.

Aug. 9, 2011); Thomas v. Little, No. 09-cv-1117-BRD/egb, 2009 WL 1938973, at *5 (W.D. Tenn.

July 6, 2009); Charles v. Verhagen, 220 F. Supp. 2d 937, 948 (W.D. Wis. 2002). The United States

District Court for the District of Connecticut adjudicated the specific claim that available prayer

oils “contain[ed] chemicals that are prohibited by Islam” under RLUIPA (and the First

Amendment). Vega v. Lantz, No. 04-cv-1215-DFM, 2009 WL 3157586, at *12 (D. Conn. Sept.

25, 2009); see Vega v. Lantz, No. 04-cv-1215-DFM, 2012 WL 5831202, at *4 (D. Conn. Nov. 16,

2012); Vega v. Lantz, No. 04-cv-1215-DFM, 2013 WL 6191855, at *6, *7 (D. Conn. Nov. 26,

2013); cf. Cryer v. Clarke, No. 09-cv-10238-PBS, 2012 WL 6800791, at *11 (D. Mass. Sept. 7,

2012) (involving “pure” tobacco for pipe ceremonies, as opposed to kinnick-kinnick with tobacco),

report and recommendation adopted, No. 09-cv-10238-PBS, ECF No. 211 (Jan. 3, 2013); Farrow

v. Stanley, No. 02-cv-567-PB, 2005 WL 2671541, at *5 (D.N.H. Oct. 20, 2005) (similar).

At this early stage, the legal and factual issues do not appear complicated. Furthermore,

Denson appears capable of representing himself. Denial of his motion for appointment of counsel

is without prejudice; he may renew his motion if exceptional circumstances arise.

II. Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss (#18).

A. Legal Standard.

1. Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6).

Dismissal of a complaint under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6) is inappropriate if the complaint

satisfies Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2)’s requirement of “a short and plain statement of the claim showing

that [plaintiff] is entitled to relief,” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2); see Ocasio-Hernández v. Fortuño-

Burset, 640 F.3d 1, 11-12 (1st Cir. 2011); Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 679 (2009); Bell Atl.

Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007). Detailed factual allegations are unnecessary; Rule

8(a)(2) only requires sufficient detail to provide defendant with fair notice of plaintiff’s claim and

the bases for it. Twombly, 540 U.S. at 555.

Yet a complaint only shows that plaintiff is entitled to relief if the factual allegations raise

that right above a speculative level. Twombly, 540 U.S. at 555. To survive a Rule 12(b)(6) motion,

a complaint must allege enough facts to state a claim that is “plausible on its face.” Id. at 570. See

Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678. A complaint has facial plausibility when it alleges enough facts to allow

the court to draw the reasonable inference that defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged. Iqbal,

556 U.S. at 678; see Twombly, 550 U.S. at 556. This is not a probability requirement but demands

more than a “sheer possibility” that defendant acted unlawfully. Id.; see Twombly, 550 U.S. at 556.

In reviewing a motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6), the court must separate the factual

allegations in the complaint from the legal conclusions. Factual allegations are entitled to a

presumption of truth; legal conclusions are not. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678. Determining whether a

complaint states a facially plausible claim is a “context-specific task” that requires the court “to

draw on its judicial experience and common sense.” Id. at 679; see Ocasio-Hernández, 640 F.3d

at 12-13.

Under Rule 12(b)(6), the general rule is that the court may not consider documents outside

the complaint that are not expressly incorporated by reference into the complaint, unless the court

converts the motion to dismiss to a motion for summary judgment under Fed. R. Civ. P. 56.

Alternative Energy, Inc. v. St. Paul Fire and Marine Ins. Co., 267 F.3d 30, 33 (1st Cir. 2001); see

Trans-Spec Truck Service, Inc. v. Caterpillar, 524 F.3d 315, 321 (1st Cir. 2008); Beddall v. State

St. Bank & Trust Co., 137 F.3d 12, 16-17 (1st Cir. 1998); Fudge v. Penthouse Intern., Ltd., 840

F.2d 1012, 1015 (1st Cir. 1988). There exists a narrow exception to the general rule for, among

other things, documents sufficiently referred to in the complaint and documents that are central to

plaintiff’s claim. Id.; see Trans-Spec, 524 F.3d at 321; Beddall, 137 F.3d at 16-17; Fudge, 840

F.2d at 1015. If the complaint sufficiently refers to a document and its authenticity is not

challenged, the document effectively “merges” into the complaint. Id. (quoting Beddall, 137 F.3d

at 17).

2. RLUIPA.

RLUIPA provides that

[n]o government shall impose a substantial burden on the religious exercise of a

person residing in or confined to an institution, as defined in [42 U.S.C. § 1997],

even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, unless the

government demonstrates that the imposition of the burden on that person –

(1) is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest; and

(2) is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental

interest.

42 U.S.C. § 2000cc-1(a).

On the first two elements of a RLUIPA claim—(1) an institutionalized person’s religious

exercise has been burdened and (2) the burden is substantial—plaintiff bears the burden of proof.

Spratt v. Rhode Island Dept. of Corr., 482 F.3d 33, 38 (1st Cir. 2007).3 On the second two elements

3 The first element breaks down into several sub-elements. However, Mici does not argue that

Denson is not a person confined to an “institution.” See 42 U.S.C. § 1997(1)(A)-(B) (defining term

to include state-owned or operated correctional facility). Nor does she argue that the use of oil in

prayer is not a “religious exercise.” See 42 U.S.C. § 2000cc-5(7)(A) (defining phrase broadly to

include “any exercise of religion, whether or not compelled by, or central to, a system of religious

belief”); see also Cutter v. Wilkinson, 544 U.S. 709, 720 (2005) (exercise of religion “often

involves not only belief and profession but the performance of…physical acts such as assembling

with others for a worship service or participating in sacramental use of bread and wine.” (citation

and punctuation omitted)).

For the purposes of her motion to dismiss, Mici expressly does not dispute that Denson’s

request for chemical-free prayer oil is motivated by a sincerely held religious belief. Oct. 12 Tr. at

7. See generally Holt v. Hobbs, 574 U.S. 352, 361-362 (2015).

of a RLUIPA claim—(3) the burden furthers a compelling governmental interest and (4) the

burden is the least restrictive means of achieving that interest—the government bears the burden

of proof. Id.; see Holt, 574 U.S. at 357-358. RLUIPA provides “expansive protection” for religious

liberty and the least-restrictive-means test is “exceptionally demanding.” Holt, 574 U.S. at 358,

364 (citation omitted). RLUIPA’s expansive protection for religious liberty is greater than that

afforded by the First Amendment. See id. at 356-357; see also Kuperman v. Wrenn, 645 F.3d 69,

79 (1st Cir. 2011).

RLUIPA does not define “substantial burden,” see 42 U.S.C. § 2000cc-5; however, the

Supreme Court has provided some guidance.4 The relevant inquiry is whether the government

imposed a substantial burden on his religious exercise, not whether plaintiff is able to engage in

other forms of religious exercise. Holt, 574 U.S. at 361-362. RLUIPA applies whether the exercise

is compelled by the religion or not. Id. at 362; see 42 U.S.C. § 2000cc-5(7)(A). It is not limited to

beliefs that are shared by all members of the religion. Id.

The Holt Court observed in dicta that plaintiff had “easily” met his burden of proving that

the Arkansas Department of Correction’s grooming policy substantially burdened his religious

exercise (i.e., growing a ½ inch beard):

The Department’s grooming policy requires petitioner to shave his beard and thus

to “engage in conduct that seriously violates [his] religious beliefs.” … If petitioner

contravenes that policy and grows his beard, he will face serious disciplinary action.

Because the grooming policy puts petitioner to this choice, it substantially burdens

his religious exercise. Indeed, the Department does not argue otherwise.

574 U.S. at 361 (quoting Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., 573 U.S. 682, 720 (2014) (under

Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, 42 U.S.C. § 2000bb et seq.)).

4 More guidance from the Supreme Court may be forthcoming in Ramirez v. Collier, No. 21-5592

(oral argument held on November 9, 2021).

The First Circuit has not expressly defined “substantial burden” under RLUIPA but has

assumed, without deciding, that it involves “putting substantial pressure on an adherent to modify

his behavior and to violate his beliefs.” Thomas v. Review Bd. of Ind. Emp. Sec. Div., 450 U.S.

707, 718 (1982) (under First Amendment); see Spratt, 482 F.3d at 38 (assuming arguendo that

Thomas applied under RLUIPA); LeBaron v. Spencer, 527 Fed. Appx. 25, 29 (1st Cir. 2013) (per

curiam) (unpublished) (discussing Spratt and applying same standard in absence of objection from

parties); see also Lovelace v. Lee, 472 F.3d 174, 187 (4th Cir. 2006) (applying Thomas under

RLUIPA). See generally McGee v. O’Brien, 160 F. Supp. 3d 407, 415 (D. Mass. 2016).

B. Facts.

1. The complaint.

Denson alleges that he is a state prisoner in custody at SBCC and that Mici is the

Commissioner of the DOC. She is sued in her official capacity. (#1 ¶¶ 1-2.) In paragraphs 3 through

7, he alleges:

3. Plaintiff is a devoutly practicing Muslim.

4. Sometime in 2018 Plaintiff submitted a request to have access to pure, chemical

free, prayer oil as was used by the Prophet Muhammad (Peace And Blessings Be

Upon Him).

5. In 2019 Plaintiff’s request was denied on the grounds that the oils sold were

compliant with his faith and that the manufacturer of the prayer oils uses the highest

production standards.

6. In 2019 Plaintiff filed an appeal arguing that the oils were not c[o]mpliant with

his religious beliefs and the fact that the manufacturer uses the highest production

standards does not mean that the oils were compliant with his faith.

7. The appeal was subsequently denied.

Id. ¶¶ 3-7.

Count One raises the RLUIPA claim. Denson restates paragraphs 3 through 7, id. ¶ 9, and

alleges:

Defendant knew, or should have known, that not providing Plaintiff with access to

pure, chemical free, prayer oils violated the Religious Land Use And

Institutionalized Persons Act.

Id. ¶ 10.

Count Two restates paragraphs 3 through 7. Id. ¶ 11. Denson alleges:

Defendant[’]s failure to provide Plaintiff with pure, chemical free, prayer oils

violates Plaintiff’s religious rights under the Federal Constitution and the

Massachusetts Constitution and Declaration of rights and Plaintiff is entitled to

Declaratory Judgment.

Id. ¶ 13.

Denson requests injunctive relief; declaratory judgment; relief under Mass. Gen. Laws. ch.

231, § 5; and an award of costs. Id. at 3. He alleges that administrative remedies were exhausted.

Id. ¶ 8.

Denson is not pressing Count Two (#34 at 1; Oct. 12 Tr. at 6-7) and thus, only Count One—

the RLUIPA claim—is at issue.

2. The outside materials.

Along with her motion to dismiss, (then represented by predecessor defense counsel), Mici

filed a memorandum of law (#19) with three documents that a program coordinator certified under

pains and penalty of perjury constituted “a true, accurate, and complete copy of” the administrative

record “for Religious Service Review Request dated 4/18/18” by Denson and the subsequent

Religious Service Review Committee (RSRC) decisions on that request. (#19-1 at 2.) The

documents were the RSRC memorandum from the October 11, 2018 review of religious service

requests by numerous prisoners, id. at 3-19; from the January 15, 2019 review, id. at 20-26; and

from the March 19, 2019 review, id. at 27-30. Among other omissions, this initial administrative

record did not include the “Religious Service Review Request dated 4/18/18.” Moreover, the

RSRC’s memoranda from the October 11, 2018 and March 19, 2019 reviews do not appear to have

any connection to Denson’s request for chemical-free prayer oils, as opposed to his request for a

larger Kufi. Id. at 19, 29.

In his initial opposition, Denson noted that the administrative record did not include his

appeal from the RSRC’s denial of his request for chemical-free prayer oils, which Mici denied.

(#34 at 2 n.1.) Denson attached, inter alia, an “Inmate Religious Services Request Appeal Form”

dated April 2, 2019 related to the RSRC’s January 15, 2019 review. (#34-1.) That form set forth

the bases for Denson’s appeal. Id. at 2-3. Denson wrote:

… I submitted supporting religious material supporting my sincerely held belief

that I cannot use harmful or doubtful products, especially for religious practices

such as…prayers.… As stated in my initial request the oils currently sold by Keefe

contain fragrances. Fragrance is a general term that can stand for thousands of

different ingredients, many of which are harmful and not compliant with use in my

faith…. I submitted a similar request in 2017, however, there was some

misunderstanding of what materials I was complaining about…. Failure to

accommodate my request for access to prayer oils that are compliant with my faith

is a violation of my constitutional ri[g]hts and a violation of the Religious Lan[d]

[U]se And Institutionalized Persons Act.

Id.

Denson also attached a letter from the Superintendent of SBCC dated May 2, 2019. (#34-

2.) The letter explained that Mici upheld the RSRC’s denial of his request for chemical-free prayer

oils and set out the RSRC’s rationale. Id. at 2.

Shortly before the October 12 hearing before this court, successor defense counsel filed a

corrected administrative record (#35) which consisted of several new documents.5 Two of those

5 The new documents include a new certification (#35-1) and: a “Religious Services Request

Form” dated April 18, 2018 related to Denson’s request to buy prayer oils from Halalco on which

the SBCC’s Superintendent’s recommendation is recorded, see #35-2 at 1; an “Inmate Religious

Services Request Form” dated April 23, 2018 related to Denson’s request to buy prayer oils from

documents are of note here. In the “Religious Services Request Form” dated April 18, 2018,

Denson states:

I am requesting that I be allowed to purchase my prayer oils from [Halalco]. The

grounds for my request are, it has been established that the current oils that are sold

and have previously been sold by access are made from chemicals that are harmful

to one[’s] health, as a [M]uslim I am required to stay away from harmful and

doubtful things[.] Consequently, I cannot use those oils for prayer purposes. Prayer

is one of the most sacred practices in Islam and to use those oils for prayer would

put me in a position of sinning in prayer. Until such time that access starts selling

oils that comply with the requirement of my faith (they extend beyond being alcohol

free) I am asking that I be allowed to purchase them from a place that sells oils free

of those chemicals.

(#35-2 at 1.) In the “Inmate Religious Services Request Form” dated November 6, 2018, he states:

I am commanded to follow the example of the Holy Prophet (PBUH)…. The Holy

Prophet, (PBUH), never used chemical based oils. Keefe only provides chemical

based oils which are in question as far as being suitable for Islamic use. I am

commanded to shun doubtful matters…. The oils sold by Keefe are doubtful in that

they contain fragrances. Fragrance is a general term used for chemicals that are

used in products but are not listed. Many of those chemicals are harmful. I am

prohibited from using harmful products….

(#35-4 at 3); see also #35-6 at 9.

Halalco, see id. at 5-6, with apparent attachments, see id. at 7-14; the RSRC’s memorandum from

the May 22, 2018 review, see #35-3 at 1-5; a “Religious Service Request Form” dated November

13, 2018 related to Denson’s request for chemical-free prayer oils on which the SBCC

Superintendent’s recommendation is recorded, see #35-4 at 1; an “Inmate Religious Services

Request Form” dated November 6, 2018 related to Denson’s request for chemical-free prayer oils,

see id. at 2-3; a duplicate of the RSRC’s memorandum from the January 15, 2019 review, see #35-

5 at 1-7; and a memorandum from the Director of Program Services Division to the SBCC

Superintendent dated May 1, 2019 indicating that Mici upheld the RSRC’s decision related to

Denson’s request for chemical-free prayer oils and instructing him to inform Denson of that

decision, see #35-6 at 1, with apparent enclosures, i.e., a memorandum from the Director of

Program Services Division to Mici dated April 24, 2019 describing the RSRC’s decision and the

bases of Denson’s appeal, see id. at 2-3; a version of the “Inmate Religious Services Appeal Form”

dated April 2, 2019 related to the RSRC’s January 15, 2019 review on which Mici’s denial is

recorded, see id. at 4-5, with an apparent attachment, see id. at 6; a duplicate of the “Religious

Services Request Form” dated November 13, 2018 on which the SBCC’s Superintendent’s

recommendation is recorded, see id. at 7; and a duplicate of the “Religious Services Request Form”

dated November 6, 2018 related to Denson’s request for chemical-free prayer oil, see id. at 8-9.

C. Discussion.

1. The court will consider only some of the outside materials.6

The parties dispute whether the court can properly consider the outside materials submitted.

In her “Notification,” Mici seems to invite the court to consider the entirety of the corrected

administrative record, i.e., #35-2 through #35-6. She argues that her submission of those

documents does not convert her Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss to a Rule 56 motion for summary

judgment because they are “centrally referenced” in the complaint and thus “merged” with it. She

asserts that the complaint refers to the fact that Denson submitted two requests related to prayer

oils. (#40 at 1.) It certainly appears that Denson submitted two requests related to prayer oils, in

April 2018 and November 2018. See, e.g., #35-2 at 1; #35-4 at 2-3. But the complaint refers to the

fact that he submitted one, not two. See #1 ¶ 4 (“Sometime in 2018 Plaintiff submitted a request…”

(emphasis added)); ¶ 5 (“In 2019 Plaintiff’s request was denied… (emphasis added)); ¶ 6 (“In

2019 Plaintiff filed an appeal…” (emphasis added)); ¶ 7 (“The appeal was subsequently denied.”

(emphasis added)).

Moreover, Denson’s reference to the fact that he submitted a request and then filed an

appeal is not the same as a reference to the document that set out his request and appeal. On this

ground, the cases cited by Mici are distinguishable. (#40 at 1 (“The complaint discusses the

Agreement at considerable length” (emphasis added) (citing Beddall, 137 F.3d at 16)); Fudge, 840

F.2d at 1015 (“But here the article was not merely referred to in plaintiffs’ complaint but was

6 Denson’s factual assertions in his briefing that are not derived from his complaint or the outside

materials that will be considered by the court as discussed below are disregarded. E.g., #34 at 4-5;

#39 at 4-5. This includes the various articles on chemicals that he attached to his initial opposition.

(#34-3; #34-4; #34-5.)

absolutely central to it. Plaintiffs unquestionably would have had to offer a copy of that article in

order to prove their case” (emphasis added)).

Mici appears to argue that the whole corrected administrative record is central to Denson’s

RLUIPA claim. (#40 at 1.) This would arguably be true if the court were tasked with deciding

whether Denson exhausted his administrative remedies. But Mici does not argue that Denson did

not exhaust his administrative remedies.7 The issue is whether Denson has plausibly stated a claim

for relief under RLUIPA. While Mici might want to introduce evidence of the RSRC’s rationale

for denying Denson’s request for access to chemical-free prayer oils, that does not make its

memoranda central to his RLUIPA claim.8 See Clorox Co. P.R. v. Proctor & Gamble Commercial

Co., 228 F.3d 24, 32 (1st Cir. 2000) (limiting consideration of outside materials to full text of

advertisement, which was only outside material “integral” to determining adequacy of complaint

raising claim of false advertising). The court thus declines Mici’s invitation to consider the whole

corrected administrative record.

Denson, on the other hand, objects to the court’s consideration of any part of the corrected

administrative record except for Mici’s decision on his appeal from the RSRC’s denial of his

November 2018 request. He argues that he is not seeking judicial review of the April 2018

proceedings. (#41 at 2.) The court sustains Denson’s objection in part but overrules it as follows.

7 Successor counsel seemed to suggest at the October 12 hearing that Denson did not exhaust his

administrative remedies as to any request for unscented prayer oils. Oct. 12 Tr. at 27. But that was

the reason for the November 2018 proceedings. Denson argued that the term “fragrance” denotes

chemicals that are harmful or doubtful and that the prayer oils sold through Keefe contain

fragrances. (#35-4 at 2-3.)

8 What’s more, the corrected administrative record includes forms related to Denson’s request for

a larger Kufi, not chemical-free prayer oils. See #35-2 at 2-4.

In deciding this Rule 12(b)(6) motion, the court will consider the outside materials

pertaining to Mici’s decision on Denson’s appeal from the RSRC’s denial of his November 2018

request that Denson himself attached to his initial opposition, i.e., the “Inmate Religious Services

Request Appeal Form” dated April 2, 2019 (#34-1 at 2-3)9 and the letter from SBCC’s

Superintendent dated May 2, 2019 (#34-2 at 2). Cf. Watterson v. Page, 987 F.2d 1, 3-4 (1st Cir.

1993) (considering public documents that plaintiffs themselves attached to opposition).

The court will also consider the “Religious Services Request Form” dated April 18, 2018

(#35-2 at 1) and the “Inmate Religious Services Request Form” dated November 6, 2018 (#35-4

at 2-3). These forms appear to have been prepared by Denson himself. Id. Moreover, Denson’s

RLUIPA claim undeniably relates to the November 2018 proceedings, and the “Inmate Religious

Services Request Appeal Form” dated April 2, 2019, explicitly refers to a similar, earlier request.

(#34-1 at 3.)10

The problem that arises when a court reviews materials outside the complaint

generally is the lack of notice to the plaintiff that they may be so considered; it is

for that reason—requiring notice so that the party against whom the motion to

dismiss is made may respond—that Rule 12(b)(6) motions are ordinarily converted

into summary judgment motions. Where plaintiff has actual notice of all the

information in [the defendant’s] papers and has relied upon these documents in

framing the complaint the necessity of translating a Rule 12(b)(6) motion into one

under Rule 56 is largely dissipated.

Cortec Indus., Inc. v. Sum Holding L.P., 949 F.2d 42, 48 (2d Cir. 1991). Denson had actual notice

of all of the information in the “Religious Services Request Form” dated April 18, 2018, and the

9 The version of this form reflecting the SBCC Superintendent’s recommendation and Mici’s

decision appears in the corrected administrative record at #35-6 at 4-5.

10 Although this form refers to a similar request “in 2017,” id. this seems to be a typographical

error.

“Inmate Religious Services Request Form” dated November 6, 2018 and was certainly aware that

the court might consider them. Therefore, the “necessity of translating [Mici’s] Rule 12(b)(6)

motion into one under Rule 56 is largely dissipated.” Id.11

2. Denson has stated a plausible claim for relief.

Given this threshold ruling, the court has no trouble concluding that Denson has stated a

plausible claim for relief under RLUIPA. The complaint squarely alleges that Denson was denied

access to chemical-free prayer oils and that Mici knew, or should have known, that doing so

violated RLUIPA. (#1 ¶¶ 3-7, 10.) From the “Religious Services Request Form” dated April 18,

2018, and the “Inmate Religious Services Request Form” dated November 6, 2018, the court draws

the reasonable inference that Mici imposed a substantial burden on Denson’s religious exercise.

The latter explains that the prayer oils sold through Keefe contain fragrances and that “fragrance”

is a general term for chemicals, which can be harmful. It explains that, as a Muslim, Denson is

prohibited from using harmful or even “doubtful” products. He further states that he is obligated

to follow the example of the Holy Prophet, who did not use chemical-based prayer oils. (#35-4 at

3.) The former could hardly allege a substantial burden more clearly:

…I cannot use those oils for prayer purposes. Prayer is one of the most sacred

practices in Islam and to use those oils for prayer would put me in a position of

sinning in prayer….

(#35-2 at 1.)12

11 Mici has waived an objection to the court’s consideration of the documents identified above.

She submitted the April 18, 2018 and November 6, 2018 forms (#35-2 at 1; #35-4 at 2-3) and a

version of the April 2, 2019 form (#35-6 at 4-5) herself. Moreover, she has made no attempt to

argue that the court can consider some parts of the corrected administrative record but not others.

12 Even if the court were to find that Denson has not stated a plausible claim for relief, it would be

inclined to grant him leave to amend under Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a)(2).

Mici argues that Denson does not, and could not, allege a substantial burden. In particular,

she argues that the RSRC confirmed that the prayer oils sold through Keefe are compliant with

Islam and because Denson has access to faith-compliant prayer oils from an approved supplier,

denial of access to prayer oils from an unapproved supplier “simply cannot amount to a substantial

burden….” (#19 at 8-9 (citing #19-1 at 21) (memorandum of January 15, 2019 review)). Mici’s

argument, however, is directed toward whether Denson is entitled to relief, not whether Denson

has plausibly stated a claim for relief.

Mici must prove that the burden on Denson’s religious exercise is the least restrictive

means of furthering a compelling governmental interest. See Spratt, 482 F.3d at 38; see also 42

U.S.C. § 2000cc-1(a). While prison security is a compelling interest, see Spratt, 482 F.3d at 39,

Mici’s argument in this regard is more appropriately made on a developed factual record.

Predecessor counsel’s lone legal citation proves the point. Counsel quoted at length from the

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s recitation of evidence adduced at the summary judgment

stage in Rasheed v. Comm’r of Corr., 446 Mass. 463, 470-471 (2009). (#19 at 9); see Sparks v.

Dennehy, No. 08-cv-11437-PBS, 2009 WL 6490086, at *5 (D. Mass. Oct. 12, 2009) (on Rule

12(b)(6) motion, lack of adequate factual record to permit assessment of DOC’s actions), report

and recommendation adopted, No. 08-cv-11437-PBS, 2009 WL 6490086, at *1 (D. Mass. Nov.

16, 2009).13

13 Even if the court were to consider the whole corrected administrative record, it would lack an

adequate factual record to permit assessment of DOC’s actions. As set out in the relevant

memoranda, the RSRC did not cite a prison security interest in denying Denson’s request to buy

prayer oils from Halalco in April 2018 or his request for chemical-free prayer oils in November

2018. It asserted that the available prayer oils had been declared faith-compliant by the DOC

chaplains and Keefe. (#35-3 at 2; #35-5 at 2.)

III. Conclusion.

For the reasons set out above, Denson’s motion for appointment of counsel (#15) is denied

without prejudice to renewal. Mici’s motion to dismiss (#18) is denied.

/s/ M. PAGE KELLEY

January 20, 2022 M. Page Kelley

Chief United States Magistrate Judge