The opinion
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
BOBBY X. MCCURDY : CIVIL ACTION
:
v. : NO. 20-3458
:
SECRT. JOHN WETZEL, et al. :
MEMORANDUM
KEARNEY, J. October 16, 2020
An incarcerated man claiming Pennsylvania prison officials lost and harmed his personal
property when transferring him from one prison to another cannot proceed under a due process
constitutional claim if he is afforded notice and an opportunity to be heard in the state grievance
or litigation process challenging his lost or injured personal property. We today address an
incarcerated man’s motion to proceed in forma pauperis seeking to sue Pennsylvania prison
officials. We find he may proceed without paying the filing fees before our review. But under
Congress’ mandate, we must dismiss his claim as lacking merit. He does not state a civil rights
claim under the Fourteenth Amendment due process clause since he admits pursuing and
exhausting the prison grievance procedures. We find no possible claim under another federal law
warranting leave to amend. We grant him leave to proceed in forma pauperis but dismiss his case
with prejudice.
I. Alleged pro se facts
The Commonwealth maintained custody over Bobby X. McCurdy at SCI-Graterford
before July 2018.1 On July 14, 2018, the Commonwealth’s Department of Corrections transferred
Mr. McCurdy and his personal photographs, legal documents, and other personal property from
the soon-to-be closed SCI-Graterford to SCI-Phoenix, a brand new neighboring facility. An
unidentified correctional officer wearing all black clothing controlled his every movement.
Secretary John Wetzel and Superintendent Tammy Ferguson attended the transfer and a Capt.
Giles spoke with him.2 An unidentified person lost some of his personal property.
Mr. McCurdy filed a grievance with the Department of Corrections. He reached a final
appeal to the Department’s “central office” before losing his grievance.
II. Analysis
Mr. McCurdy now seeks to sue Secretary Wetzel, Superintendent Ferguson, Kenneth
Goodman, John/Jane Doe members of C.E.R.T.3 and Major Gena Clark without paying the filing
fees before proceeding. He alleges prison officials deprived him of his constitutional rights when
they played some undefined role in the loss of his personal photos and legal documents and harm
to his foot locker in transferring him from SCI Graterford to SCI Phoenix.4 He seeks compensatory
and punitive damages jointly and severally from each state actor’s “failure of duty to act,
investigate, and report against any and all July 14, 2018 unlawful, illegal, intentional, willful,
deliberately indifferent, reckless and omissions, admissions, [illegible], D.O.C. policy breaching,
[illegible], malfeasance, [illegible], racist methodical expressions, malicious deception, and
[illegible] of from July 3, 2018 through July 18, 2020.”5
A. We grant Mr. McCurdy leave to proceed in forma pauperis.
Mr. McCurdy seeks to proceed in forma pauperis. Following review of his sworn statement
including his lack of assets while incarcerated and confirming he is not barred from proceeding in
forma pauperis under 28 U.S.C. § 1915, we grant him leave to proceed in forma pauperis. He
may proceed but shall pay the filing fees over time consistent with our accompanying Order.
Under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B), Congress directs we dismiss a claim we find frivolous
or malicious; fails to state a claim on which relief may be granted; or seeks monetary relief against
a defendant who is immune from such relief. We may dismiss a claim under section
1915(e)(2)(B)(i) when the claim is legally or factually frivolous.6 A claim is legally frivolous
“where ‘[none] of the legal points [are] arguable on their merits.”7 A claim is factually frivolous
“where the claim’s ‘factual contentions are clearly baseless.’”8
When considering whether to dismiss a complaint for failure to state a claim under section
1915(e)(2)(B)(ii), we apply the same standard used under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure
12(b)(6).9 “[A] complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to state a claim
to relief that is plausible on its face.”10 “A claim has facial plausibility when the plaintiff pleads
factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable
for the misconduct alleged.”11 A claim which “offers ‘labels and conclusions or ‘a formulaic
recitation of the elements of a cause of action will not do.’”12 We are “mindful of our ‘obligation
to liberally construe a pro se litigant’s pleadings . . . ’”13 However, "pro se litigants still must allege
sufficient facts in their complaints to support a claim.”14
B. The Eleventh Amendment bars Mr. McCurdy from bringing claims against
the correctional officers in their official capacity.
Mr. McCurdy does not plead whether he is suing the Secretary, Superintendent, and
correctional officers in their personal or official capacities. Before turning to personal liability,
we must dismiss a claim against these Pennsylvania officials in their official capacity.
Mr. McCurdy may not sue these state actors in their official capacity. The Eleventh
Amendment provides, “[t]he Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend
to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens
of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.”15 The Eleventh Amendment's
jurisdictional bar to bringing suit in federal court against a state or one of its agencies or
departments, in absence of consent, applies regardless of nature of relief sought.16
The Secretary, Superintendent, and correctional officers are employees of the Pennsylvania
Department of Corrections, which is an executive department of the Commonwealth and entitled
to Eleventh Amendment immunity.17 Our Court of Appeals instructs Eleventh Amendment
immunity extends to state officials in their official capacity.18 Since Mr. McCurdy does not allege
he is bringing his claim against the state actors only in their personal capacities, claims for
monetary damages against these state actors in their official capacities must be dismissed.
C. Mr. McCurdy’s loss of property is not a due process violation when he is
afforded remedies through the meaningful grievance process.
Mr. McCurdy alleges a variety of claims but never mentions a federal statute or other basis
for our subject matter jurisdiction. We may liberally construe his pro se complaint against state
actors as claiming they violated his civil rights under the Constitution, and he seeks to enforce his
constitutional rights under the mechanism Congress provides in 42 U.S.C. § 1983. But he cannot
state a claim for personal civil rights liability of the state actors within our limited subject matter
jurisdiction even with the most liberal reading of his allegations.
“To state a claim under § 1983, a plaintiff must allege the violation of a right secured by
the Constitution and laws of the United States, and must show that the alleged deprivation was
committed by a person acting under color of state law.”19 Federal courts sit not to supervise prisons
but to enforce constitutional rights of all “persons,” including prisoners.20
Mr. McCurdy does not expressly mention the Fourteenth Amendment, but he alleges the
prison officials deprived him of, or harmed, his property.21 To the extent Mr. McCurdy is asserting
a due process claim under the Fourteenth Amendment, he is entitled to due process of law before
state actors can deprive him of his “life, liberty, or property.”22
“[A] individual may not assert a claim under section 1983 for even an intentional
deprivation of the individual's property by a state employee, “if a meaningful post-deprivation
remedy for the loss is available.”23 In Jackson, a Pennsylvania prisoner sued several state prison
employees for the loss of his personal property and legal materials during his transfer from SCI–
Camp Hill and SCI–Fayette.24 Our Court of Appeals affirmed Judge Kosik’s dismissal because
the prisoner did not have a civil rights claim arising from the alleged deprivation of property.25
The prisoner took full advantage of the available grievance process, and the prison responded to
each of his complaints and appeals.26 Our Court of Appeals reasoned the prisoner had adequate
state post-deprivation remedies available.27 He could not claim the state actors deprived him of
due process and post-deprivation remedies.
In Woodell, an incarcerated man alleged prison officials deprived him of due process by
damaging and losing his property during his transfer from SCI Graterford to SCI Phoenix.28 Under
the instruction of our Court of Appeals, Judge Smith held a few months ago the officers did not
deprive the incarcerated man of his due process rights because Pennsylvania law provides adequate
state remedies.29 In foreclosing the due process claim, Judge Smith reasoned the “Pennsylvania
Department of Corrections ... grievance procedure provides an[other] adequate post-deprivation
remedy.”30
Judge Goldberg applied this same reasoning a year earlier in Adams to an incarcerated man
alleging a due process claim under the Fourteenth Amendment based on the intentional destruction
of his property.31 Judge Goldberg held the incarcerated man had no basis for a due process claim
because Pennsylvania law provided him an adequate state remedy to seek compensation for his
destroyed property.32
As in Jackson where the incarcerated man brought a civil rights claim after state actors
allegedly lost personal property and legal materials during the same transfer from the closing of
SCI-Graterford to the newly-opened SCI-Phoenix, Mr. McCurdy does not allege anything more
than the grievance process, which is not constitutionally required, did not resolve his lost property
claim. He does not allege either facility denied him the opportunity to bring a claim, and even if
he did, he can pursue remedies under Pennsylvania law which can address non-constitutional
issues.
In Brock, an incarcerated man lost clothing during transfer from SCI Graterford to SCI
Phoenix.33 After filing a grievance for his lost property, the incarcerated man alleged the
superintendent did not answer his appeal, suspended the grievance process because of the number
of inmate grievances about CERT’s conduct, and other officials covered up the “criminal, unlawful
and inhumane acts committed by CERT” by suspending the grievance process.34 Judge Goldberg
held the prisoner could not state a claim based on authorities' failure to investigate CERT’s actions
as there is no free-standing right to a government investigation.35
Our Court of Appeals instructs “[p]rison inmates do not have a constitutionally protected
right to a grievance process.”36 Even if the prison grievance procedures were constitutionally
inadequate, Pennsylvania’s law provides an adequate remedy.37 Prisoners must state a due process
claim beyond a violation of the grievance process.38
Mr. McCurdy does not appear to allege either facility or an employee at either facility
deprived him of the opportunity to file a claim with its grievance process. Mr. McCurdy claims he
pursued his grievance to the DOC Central Office after the SCI Graterford and SCI Phoenix
grievances processes resulted in a post-transfer cell investigation.39 He does not allege the prison
officials deprived him of the grievance process. And even if they did, he must still state remedies
as incarcerated citizens are not constitutionally entitled to a certain grievance process.40
When an incarcerated person has meaningful post deprivation remedies available under
state law, a prison guard’s deprivation of property does not violate the due process clause under
the Fourteenth Amendment.41 In Hudson, a Virginia state prison guard destroyed an inmate’s
property during a shakedown. The Supreme Court held the Virginia state prison guard did not
violate the inmate’s due process rights since Virginia afforded state remedies.42 The Court rejected
the inmate’s argument alleging he may not recover under state law remedies the full amount which
he might receive in a civil rights action because the state officials’ right to sovereign immunity.43
D. Mr. McCurdy may not amend.
We often allow a pro se plaintiff to amend if there is a possible claim. We evaluated the
possible claims which could possibly fall within our limited subject matter jurisdiction.
For example, Mr. McCurdy mentions deliberate indifference which is often short hand for
an Eighth Amendment cruel and unusual punishment claim. An Eighth Amendment violation
occurs when a “sufficiently serious” deprivation exists, establishing deliberate indifference to
inmate health or safety.44 Deliberate indifference is commonly equated to recklessness, meaning
an official is aware of and disregards a substantial risk to an inmate’s health or safety.45 The Court
clarified deliberate indifference is acting or failing to act to a substantial risk of serious harm to a
prisoner[‘s health and safety] is equivalent to. recklessly disregarding the risk.46 In Wongos, Judge
Rufe applied the Supreme Court’s definition of deliberate indifference and held the alleged
confiscation of a Pennsylvania state court prisoner’s property did not deprive him of the necessities
of life for purposes of an Eighth Amendment claim.47 Since Mr. McCurdy does not state a claim
asserting the prison guards alleged deprivation of his property poses a risk to his health or safety,
he is not entitled to relief for a violation of his Eighth Amendment right.
Other incarcerated persons have tried to plead a claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act
if federal officers played a role. Congress, through the Federal Tort Claims Act, provides post
deprivation remedies for claims against typically immune state actors.48 To proceed with this
claim, the incarcerated person may file (1) the claim with the agency whose member committed
the tort, or (2) a suit under the Act with the United States as the only named defendant. Mr.
McCurdy is ineligible for relief under the Act as he is suing state, not federal, officials.
Mr. McCurdy is not entitled to relief under the Act because he can seek relief under 42 Pa.
Cons. Stat. Ann. § 8522(b)(3), which in its relevant part states, “[t]he following acts by a
Commonwealth party may result in the imposition of liability on the Commonwealth and the
defense of sovereign immunity shall not be raised to claims for damages caused by…[t]he care,
custody or control of personal property in the possession or control of Commonwealth parties,
including Commonwealth-owned personal property and property of persons held by a
Commonwealth agency.”49 Since Mr. McCurdy has a meaningful state court remedy, granting him
leave to amend his complaint under the Act is improper.
III. Conclusion
Mr. McCurdy may not proceed on a civil rights claim against Pennsylvania correctional
officers allegedly involved in lost or harmed personal property when the Department of
Corrections moved him from SCI-Graterford to SCI-Phoenix. Prison officials did not deprive him
of a constitutionally protected right and he has meaningful state court remedies if he is unhappy
with the Prison’s grievance process.
We must dismiss Mr. McCurdy’s complaint and decline to grant him leave to amend as
there is no claim cognizable within our limited jurisdiction based on the plead facts.
1 Complaint, ECF Doc. No. 1.
2 Mr. McCurdy’s handwritten allegations could also be interpreted as referring to a “Clark” and
he names a Major Gena Clark as a defendant.
3 The Corrections Emergency Response Team (“CERT”) is a team of prison staff who moved the
legal and personal property of incarcerated persons from SCI Graterford to SCI Phoenix in July
2018. Brock v. Corr. Emergency Response Team, No. 18-3814, 2020 WL 668271, at *3 (E.D. Pa.
Feb. 10, 2020).
4 ECF Doc. No. 1 at 2-3.
5 Id.
6 Jorge v. Torres, No. 18-14674, 2019 WL 2385942, at *1 (D.N.J. June 6, 2019) (citations omitted).
7 Id.
8 Id.
9 Elansari v. Univ. of Pennsylvania, 779 F. App’x 1006, 1008 (3d Cir. 2019) (citing Allah v.
Seiverling, 229 F.3d 220, 223 (3d Cir. 2000)).
10 Illinois Nat. Ins. Co. v. Wyndham Worldwide Operations, Inc., 653 F.3d 225, 230 (3d Cir. 2011)
(citing Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 663 (2009)).
11 Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 663 (2009).
12 Id. at 677 (quoting Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007)).
13 Dooley v. Wetzel, No. 19-1684, 2020 WL 1982194, at * 4 (3d Cir. Apr. 27, 2020) (citing Higgs
v. Atty. Gen., 655 F.3d 333, 339 (3d Cir. 2011).
14 Mala v. Crown Bay Marina, Inc., 704 F.3d 239, 245 (3d Cir. 2013).
15 U.S. Const. amend. XI.
16 Pennhurst State Sch. and Hosp. v. Halderman, 465 U.S. 89, 99-100 (1984) (citing id.).
17 71 Pa. Stat. and Cons. Stat. Ann. § 61(a) (West 2011).
18 Pennhurst State Sch. and Hosp., 465 U.S. at 99; A.W. v. Jersey City Public Schs., 341 F.3d 234,
238 (3d Cir. 2003); Adams v. Corr. Emergency Response Team, No. 19-3301, 2019 WL 4074653,
at *2 (E.D. Pa. Aug. 28, 2019).
19 Brock, No. 18-3814, 2020 WL 668271, at *3 (quoting West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988)).
20 Cruz v. Beto, 405 U.S. 319, 321 (1972).
21 ECF Doc. No. 1 at 3.
22 U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 1, cl. 3.
23 Woodell v. Pa.D.O.C. Sec'y of Corr., No. 18-4430, 2020 WL 2841380, at *13 (E.D. Pa. June 1,
2020) (quoting Hudson v. Palmer, 468 U.S. 517, 533 (1984)).
24 Jackson v. Whalen, 568 F. App'x 85, 86-87 (3d Cir. 2014).
25 Id. at 87.
26 Id.
27 Id.
28 Id. at *2.
29 Id. at *13 (citing Shakur v. Coelho, 421 F. App'x 132, 135 (3d Cir. 2011) (per curiam)
(explaining that Pennsylvania Tort Claims Act, 42 Pa. C.S. §§ 8541-8546, provides an adequate
remedy for willful deprivation of property claim).
30 Id. (citing Cruz v. SCI-SMR Dietary Servs., 566 F. App'x 158, 160 (3d Cir. 2014) (per curiam)
(citations omitted)).
31Adams, 2019 WL 4074653, at *3.
32 Id. (citing Spencer v. Bush, 543 F. App'x 209, 213 (3d Cir. 2013) (“[A]n unauthorized intentional
deprivation of property by a state employee does not constitute a violation of the procedural
requirements of the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment if a meaningful post-
deprivation remedy for the loss is available.” (citations omitted))).
33 Brock, No. 18-3814, 2020 WL 668271, at *1, 3.
34 Id. at *2.
35 Id. at *3 (“To the extent that Brock is again alleging that authorities have not investigated the
abuses that occurred during the transfer, that claim fails, as there is no free-standing right to a
government investigation.”) (citing Graw v. Fantasky, 68 F. App'x 378, 383 (3d Cir. 2003)).
36 Jackson v. Gordon, 145 F. App'x 774, 777 (3d Cir. 2005); see also McGuire v. Forr, No. 94-
6884, 1996 WL 131130, at *1 (E.D. Pa. Mar. 21, 1996), aff'd, 101 F.3d 691 (3d Cir. 1996) (holding
even if defendants denied plaintiff an adequate grievance process, the claim would still fail).
37 Hernandez v. Corr. Emergency Response Team, 771 F. App'x 143, 145 (3d Cir. 2019) (citing
42 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 8522(b)(3)).
38 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 8522(b)(3) (West. 2019).
39 ECF Doc. No. 1 at 5.
40 Jackson, 145 F. App'x at 777.
41 Hudson v. Palmer, 468 U.S. 517, 518 (1984).
42 Id.
43 Id.
44 Wongus v. Corr. Emergency Response Team, 389 F. Supp. 3d 294, 300 (E.D. Pa. 2019).
45 Id. (emphasis added).
46 Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 836 (1994).
47 Wongus, 389 F. Supp. 3d at 300.
48 28 U.S.C.A. § 2671 (West 2000).
49 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 8522(b)(3) (West 2019).