Scott v. Joyner (Inmate 1)

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES

FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA

NORTHERN DIVISION

PRINCE SAYON LENARD SCOTT, )

AIS #279776 )

)

Plaintiff, )

)

v. ) CIVIL ACTION NO. 2:19-CV-609-ALB

) (WO)

)

WEXFORD HEALTH SOURCES INC., et al., )

)

Defendants. )

RECOMMENDATION OF THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE

This 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action is pending before the court on a complaint filed by

Prince Sayon Lenard Scott, an indigent state inmate. In the instant complaint, Scott

challenges the constitutionality of medical treatment provided to him during a prior term

of incarceration at the Kilby Correctional Facility. Doc. 1 at 2–3. Scott names Wexford

Health Sources, Inc., and Dr. Joyner as defendants.

The defendants filed a special report and supplemental special report supported by

relevant evidentiary materials, including affidavits and medical records, in which they

address the claim for relief presented by Scott. The reports and evidentiary materials refute

the purely conclusory and unsupported allegations presented by Scott. Specifically, the

medical records demonstrate that correctional medical personnel at Kilby routinely

evaluated Scott, ordered various diagnostic tests to monitor his medical conditions and

prescribed several medications to him. These records also show that Scott was non-

compliant with the treatment regimen provided by health care personnel.

Upon receipt of the defendants’ reports and after review of the supporting

evidentiary materials, the court issued an order directing Scott to file a response to the

defendants’ written reports. Doc. 24. The order advised Scott that his failure to respond

to the reports would be treated by the court “as an abandonment of the claims set forth

in the complaint and as a failure to prosecute this action.” Doc. 24 at 1 (emphasis in

original). Additionally, the order “specifically cautioned [Scott] that [his failure] to file

a response in compliance with the directives of this order” would result in the dismissal

of this civil action. Doc. 24 at 1 (emphasis in original). The time allotted Scott for filing

a response in compliance with the directives of this order expired on November 14, 2019.

Doc. 24 at 1. As of the present date, Scott has failed to file a response in opposition to the

defendants’ written reports. In light of Scott’s failure to file a requisite response to the

written reports of the defendants, the court finds that this case should be dismissed.

The court has reviewed the file to determine whether a less drastic measure than

dismissal is appropriate. See Abreu-Velez v. Board of Regents of Univ. System of Georgia,

248 F. App’x 116, 117–18 (11th Cir. 2007). After such review, it is clear that dismissal

of this case is the proper course of action. Specifically, Scott is an indigent individual.

Thus, the imposition of monetary or other punitive sanctions against him would be

ineffectual. Additionally, his inaction in the face of the defendants’ reports and evidence

suggests a loss of interest in the continued prosecution of this case. Moreover, the

evidentiary materials submitted by the defendants, which are at this point undisputed by

Scott, demonstrate that no violation of the Constitution occurred, i.e., the defendants did

not act with deliberate indifference to Scott’s medical needs. Finally, it likewise appears

that any additional effort by this court to secure Scott’s compliance would be unavailing

and a waste of this court’s scarce resources. Consequently, the court concludes that the

abandonment of this case by Scott and his failure to comply with an order of this court

warrant dismissal. Moon v. Newsome, 863 F.2d 835, 837 (11th Cir. 1989) (holding that,

generally, where a litigant has been forewarned dismissal for failure to obey a court order

is not an abuse of discretion). The authority of courts to impose sanctions for failure to

prosecute or obey an order is longstanding and acknowledged by Rule 41(b) of the Federal

Rules of Civil Procedure. See Link v. Wabash R.R. Co., 370 U.S. 626, 629–30 (1962).

This authority empowers the courts “to manage their own affairs so as to achieve the

orderly and expeditious disposition of cases.” Id. at 630–31; Mingo v. Sugar Cane Growers

Co-Op of Fla., 864 F.2d 101, 102 (11th Cir. 1989) (holding that a “district court possesses

the inherent power to police its docket.”). “The sanctions imposed [upon dilatory litigants]

can range from a simple reprimand to an order dismissing the action with or without

prejudice.” Id. at 102.

For the above stated reasons, it is the RECOMMENDATION of the Magistrate

Judge that this case be dismissed with prejudice.

On or before February 19, 2020 the parties may file objections to the

Recommendation. A party must specifically identify the factual findings and legal

conclusions in the Recommendation to which the objection is made. Frivolous, conclusive,

or general objections to the Recommendation will not be considered.

Failure to file written objections to the proposed findings and legal conclusions set

forth in the Recommendations of the Magistrate Judge shall bar a party from a de novo

determination by the District Court of these factual findings and legal conclusions and shall

“waive the right to challenge on appeal the District Court’s order based on unobjected-to

factual and legal conclusions” except upon grounds of plain error if necessary in the

interests of justice. 11TH Cir. R. 3-1; see Resolution Trust Co. v. Hallmark Builders, Inc.,

996 F.2d 1144, 1149 (11th Cir. 1993) (“When the magistrate provides such notice and a

party still fails to object to the findings of fact and those findings are adopted by the district

court the party may not challenge them on appeal in the absence of plain error or manifest

injustice.”); Henley v. Johnson, 885 F.2d 790, 794 (11th Cir. 1989).

DONE this 5th day of February, 2020.

/s/ Charles S. Coody

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE