“A claim arising after the date of an earlier judgment is not barred, even if it 18 arises out of a continuing course of conduct that provided the basis for the earlier 19 claim.”
How later courts described this case
- “A claim arising after the date of an earlier judgment is not barred, even if it 18 arises out of a continuing course of conduct that provided the basis for the earlier 19 claim.”
- “[T]he length of confinement cannot be ignored in deciding whether the 4 confinement meets constitutional standards.”
- admitting copies of judgments certified by 8 the Texas Department of Corrections custodian under FRE 902(4)
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
1
2
3
4
5
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
6 WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
AT TACOMA
7
MICHAEL DENTON, CASE NO. C19-5743 BHS
8
Plaintiff, ORDER
9 v.
10 KARIE RAINER, et al.,
11 Defendants.
12
13 This matter is before the Court on Defendants Kevin Bowen, Sean Murphy,
14 Michael Obenland, Karie Rainer, Cheryl Strange, and Timothy Thrasher’s Motion for
15 Summary Judgment, Dkt. 248.
16 I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
17 Plaintiff Michael Denton is currently incarcerated by the Washington Department
18 of Corrections (“DOC”) at Washington State Penitentiary (“WSP”) in Walla Walla,
19 Washington. Denton was first incarcerated in a Washington DOC facility in 2006 for a
20 crime unrelated to his current confinement. Upon entering DOC custody in 2006, Denton
21 was immediately assigned to maximum (“Max”) custody. He spent his entire first
22
1 incarceration, from 2006 to 2013, in either a Restrictive Housing Unit (“RHU”) or in a
2 Close Observation Area (“COA”).
3 In 2015, Denton was arrested and placed back in Pierce County Jail for a parole
4 violation. He was held at the jail awaiting trial for custodial assault charges and was
5 ultimately convicted and sentenced to twelve years in prison. Denton was held in
6 isolation at the Pierce County Jail and upon his return to DOC custody in June 2017, he
7 was again at his request immediately placed into Max custody. Denton remained in
8 various types of restricted custody until his release into a close custody unit, Baker Unit,1
9 at WSP in March 2023. Denton has never entered general population while in DOC
10 custody.
11 Max custody is DOC’s highest classification level. Dkt. 248 at 2. According to
12 DOC, “[i]ndividuals are housed on Max custody when they pose a significant risk to the
13 safety and security of employees, contract staff, volunteers, and other individuals based
14 on (1) commission of violent serious infractions; (2) chronic behavioral/infraction
15 problems; (3) acts that present a significant risk; and/or (4) validated protection needs.”
16 Id. at 2–3. Max custody inmates’ status is formally reviewed every 180 days and
17 informally reviewed every 60 days.2 Id. at 3.
18
19
1 Baker is one of three units at WSP referred to as the “BAR” Units, which consist of
20 Baker, Adams, and Rainier Units. Baker and Rainier are close custody units, while Adams is a
medium custody unit. These are less restrictive than the Intensive Management Unit (“IMU”)
21 which is classified as Max custody.
2 Denton does not acknowledge this 60-day informal review. It is unclear whether he
22 disagrees that they take place or disagrees that such review is “meaningful.”
1 DOC develops a Behavior and Programming Plan (“BPP”) for Max custody
2 inmates, which “sets forth programming expectations and behaviors that an inmate
3 should or should not engage in.” Id. DOC sometimes also develops an Individual
4 Behavior Management Plan (“IBMP”) for Max custody inmates, which “set[s] forth clear
5 expectations of behavior by the inmate and consistent and appropriate responses by staff
6 to both good and bad behavior.” Id.
7 Max custody inmates participate in a Level/Step program where they can progress
8 from Level 1 to Level 33 if they exhibit good behavior. Id. The inmate must be at Level 1
9 for a minimum of 30 days before progressing to Level 2, and at Level 2 for a minimum of
10 30 days before progressing to Level 3. Id. When an inmate moves up a level, he is
11 afforded additional privileges such as a radio or a television. Dkt. 155, ¶ 19. At the
12 highest level, the inmate is let out of his cell with other inmates for four hours a day. Id.
13 If an inmate receives infractions, he is demoted to a lower level. Id. ¶ 20. An inmate must
14 successfully progress through all the levels to be released from Max custody. Id.
15 Max custody inmates also have access to medical and mental health care and, in
16 some facilities, programming, but DOC acknowledges that “the restrictions are inevitably
17 more severe than general population units.” Dkt. 248 at 3.
18 Denton characterizes his continued placement in Max custody as solitary
19 confinement and asserts that he had been held in isolation for his entire incarceration until
20
21 3 DOC’s level system had four levels at the start of this case but it now has only three.
Dkt. 248 at 3 n.3. Denton’s complaint refers to four levels, but the general facts regarding the
22 level system remain accurate.
1 March 2023. Dkt. 155, ¶ 15. The DOC disputes this characterization. It asserts that
2 Denton spent time in the Special Offender Unit (“SOU”) and the Close Observation Unit
3 (“COA”), which it apparently does not consider to be solitary confinement. See, e.g., Dkt.
4 162, ¶ 15.
5 Regardless of the parties’ disagreement and whether the SOU and the COA are
6 fairly considered solitary confinement, it is indisputable that Denton has spent, by far,
7 most of the time in isolation.
8 The parties also disagree about the severity and cause of Denton’s mental health
9 issues. DOC asserts that Denton engages in some level of malingering,4 and has control
10 over his behavior. See, e.g., Dkt. 248 at 14–15 (“[W]hen Denton believes it is
11 advantageous to him, he acts out and lashes out toward staff.”). Denton argues that his
12 time spent in solitary has significantly worsened (and continues to magnify) his mental
13 health such that he is often unable to control his behavior, and he disputes that he is
14 malingering. See generally Dkt. 259.
15 II. PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
16 Denton filed four related lawsuits, including this case, between 2017 and 2020.
17 See Denton v. Pastor, 17-cv-5075 BHS; Denton v. Thrasher, 18-cv-5017 BHS; Denton v.
18 Thrasher, 20-cv-5968 BHS. Each challenged, in some capacity, his long-term
19
4 Notably, while DOC continuously disputes the severity of Denton’s mental health
20 problems, its placement of him in the SOU suggests that it recognizes his severe mental health
struggles. DOC classifies the SOU as being reserved “to treat/house the many Seriously Mentally
21 Ill (SMI) incarcerated individuals needing a residential level of care.” See Department of
Corrections, Monroe Correctional Complex (MCC) (last visited Aug. 2, 2023),
22 https://www.doc.wa.gov/corrections/incarceration/prisons/mcc.htm.
1 incarceration in solitary confinement. The other three suits have been resolved and only
2 this one remains. None of Denton’s previously resolved federal lawsuits substantively
3 addressed his claims that DOC’s practices involving solitary confinement, both on their
4 face and as applied to him, are unconstitutional.
5 In this case, Denton initially sued nineteen DOC employee defendants while
6 proceeding pro se in 2019. Dkt. 10. He simultaneously moved for a temporary restraining
7 order (“TRO”), Dkt. 11, which the Court denied, Dkt. 36, adopting the report and
8 recommendation (“R&R”) of Magistrate Judge Theresa L. Fricke, Dkt. 14. Shortly after
9 that denial, Denton again moved for a TRO, Dkt. 38, and for the appointment of counsel,
10 Dkt. 40. Before those motions were resolved, Denton retained counsel, Dkt. 42, and
11 withdrew his TRO motion, Dkt. 52, agreeing that it was moot given his transfer from
12 WSP to SCCC.
13 Denton filed his first motion for a preliminary injunction in May 2021. Dkt. 59.
14 After oral argument, Dkt. 66, Judge Fricke recommended this Court grant Denton’s
15 motion, Dkt. 67. The Court declined to adopt Judge Fricke’s R&R, concluding the
16 briefing was insufficient to rule on the motion. Dkt. 78. It ordered the parties to file
17 additional briefing regarding inconsistencies of the relief requested in Denton’s complaint
18 and his TRO, and potential mootness issues. Id.
19 While Denton’s preliminary injunction motion was pending, Defendants moved to
20 exclude the testimony of Denton’s expert, Dr. Anthony Eusanio, Dkt. 76, and for
21 summary judgment, Dkt. 89.
22
1 In November 2021, after the parties submitted supplemental briefing, Judge Fricke
2 heard oral argument on all three motions. Dkt. 96. She denied the motions as premature
3 and granted Denton leave to amend his complaint. Id.; see also Dkt. 97. Denton filed an
4 amended complaint in which he added and removed claims and defendants. Dkt. 98.
5 Defendants objected to Judge Fricke’s order, arguing that Denton never properly moved
6 to amend and that they therefore did not have an opportunity to review his amended
7 complaint prior to Judge Fricke’s order, nor did they have a meaningful opportunity to
8 oppose the motion. Dkt. 100. They argued that the amended complaint was improper
9 because of the major changes it made to both claims and defendants, years into this case.
10 Id. Defendants Rainer and Russell also moved to dismiss Denton’s complaint. Dkt. 103.
11 In March 2022, the Court agreed that Judge Fricke’s order granting Denton leave
12 to amend his complaint was improper and overruled that order. Dkt. 115. Denton then
13 moved to amend his complaint, again seeking to significantly change the claims and
14 defendants. Dkt. 118. Judge Fricke recommended denying the motion because of those
15 significant changes. Dkt. 148. This Court declined to adopt that R&R and granted
16 Denton’s motion to amend, but it ordered Denton to follow specific guidelines in drafting
17 and filing his amended complaint. Dkt. 151. He did so, and that amended complaint
18 remains the operative complaint in this case. See Dkt. 155.
19 In May 2022, Defendants again moved to exclude Denton’s expert, Dr. Eusanio.
20 Dkt. 142. Judge Fricke denied that motion, and all other pending motions, as moot
21 because they were directed toward Denton’s previous complaint. Dkt. 157. In October
22
1 2022, Denton voluntarily dismissed seventeen defendants. Dkt. 158. Since that time,
2 Denton has asserted three claims against six defendants.5 See id.
3 In November 2022, Denton moved, again, for a preliminary injunction, Dkt. 163,
4 and Defendants again moved to exclude Denton’s expert, Dr. Eusanio, Dkt. 166. The
5 Court denied Defendants’ motion to exclude, Dkt. 177, and held a two-day evidentiary
6 hearing on Denton’s preliminary injunction motion, Dkts. 204, 205. Ultimately, the Court
7 reserved ruling on Denton’s motion given DOC’s assurances that it was working on a
8 plan to transfer Denton out of solitary and into the BAR Units. Dkts. 205, 206. It also
9 ordered the parties to procure an independent mental health evaluation of Denton. Denton
10 also moved to exclude the testimony of Defendants’ expert witness, Dr. Ryan Quirk, at
11 trial. Dkt. 202.
12 In March 2023, the Court held a status conference during which the parties
13 discussed DOC’s plan to move Denton out of solitary and the status of the updated
14 mental health evaluation. Dkt. 223. The Court also ordered the parties to provide
15 supplemental briefing on Denton’s motion to exclude. Id. Denton was released into Baker
16 Unit in April 2023 and the parties’ agreed mental health examiner, Dr. Nathan Henry,
17 evaluated Denton. See Dkt. 237. He filed his report with the Court under seal at Dkt. 242.
18
19
20 5 Although Defendants do not raise this as an issue, it remains unclear to the Court
whether Denton has ever named the correct defendant in this case. While some of his requested
21 relief likely could be carried out by the named defendants, it is not clear to the Court that anyone
but the director of the DOC would have the authority to change DOC policy, which has been a
22 main focus of this case.
1 Given Denton’s release from solitary, the Court denied his preliminary injunction motion
2 as moot. Dkt. 243.
3 In mid-May 2023, Denton received several infractions, including for threatening to
4 harm staff and for engaging in sexual harassment of a staff member. Dkt. 246.
5 Defendants informed the Court that Denton had been returned to the IMU and stated that
6 “Department staff [would] be evaluating Denton’s placement.” Id. at 3–4.
7 On June 15, 2023, the Court held a status conference at which it denied Denton’s
8 motion to exclude. Dkt. 247. Defendants then filed the instant motion for summary
9 judgment. Dkt. 248. Defendants argue that they are entitled to qualified immunity and
10 that Denton’s claims fail on the merits because their practice of holding him in solitary
11 met constitutional standards. Id. Denton argues that Defendants are not entitled to
12 qualified immunity and, even if they are, qualified immunity applies to only money
13 damages, not his claims for declaratory and injunctive relief. Dkt. 259. He further argues
14 that he has presented sufficient facts to survive summary judgment on all three of his
15 claims. Id.
16 Denton also moves to strike certain exhibits and parts of a declaration, arguing that
17 they contain hearsay, are conclusory, and are unauthenticated. Id. In reply, Defendants
18 move to strike various declarations Denton submitted, arguing that Denton violated the
19 discovery rules and that the declarations are otherwise inadmissible. Dkt. 274.
20 The parties again dispute Denton’s detention status. Denton alleges he is being
21 held in Max custody. Dkt. 259 at 7. He also asserts, with supporting documentation, that
22 he was found “not guilty” of the alleged infractions. Id. Defendants assert Denton was not
1 placed back on Max custody. Dkt. 274 at 13 n.1. Defendants do not address Denton’s
2 assertion that he has been found “not guilty” of the infractions.
3 On August 10, 2023, Denton filed a fourth motion for preliminary injunction. Dkt.
4 282. He asserts that he is currently in the IMU at WSP “even though the infraction that
5 placed him there was dismissed on June 19, 2023.” Id. at 1.
6 III. DISCUSSION
7 A. Denton’s Motion to Strike
8 1. Denton’s Motion to Strike the Brannock and Fuelner Exhibits is
DENIED.
9
Denton moves to strike all the exhibits attached to the declarations of Kitzi
10
Brannock and Timothy Fuelner, arguing that they are hearsay and unauthenticated. Dkt.
11
259 at 7. Defendants argue that the Fuelner exhibits are proper because Exhibits 1–7 are
12
certified copies of court documents, and the remainder were produced in discovery or
13
from DOC’s OMNI database. Dkt. 274 at 18–19. They further argue that the Brannock
14
exhibits are proper because they are authenticated by her declaration. Id. at 19.
15
The court may consider evidence at summary judgment so long as it could be
16
presented in an admissible form at trial. Fraser v. Goodale, 342 F.3d 1032, 1036 (9th Cir.
17
2003). “At the summary judgment stage, we do not focus on the admissibility of the
18
evidence’s form. We instead focus on the admissibility of its contents.” Id.
19
The exhibits attached to the Brannock Declaration are DOC disciplinary reports
20
and records. See Dkt. 250-1. Those exhibits are self-authenticating as “certified domestic
21
records of a regularly conducted activity.” See FRE 902(11). The documents are not
22
1 hearsay as they are not offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted. They are instead
2 being offered to show their effect on the reader in evaluating Denton’s dangerousness and
3 ability to succeed outside of solitary confinement. Denton’s motion is therefore DENIED
4 as to the exhibits attached to the Brannock Declaration.
5 Fuelner’s Exhibits 1–7 are state court judgments certified by the court clerk which
6 are self-authenticating under Federal Rule of Evidence 902(4). See United States v.
7 Huffhines, 967 F.2d 314, 320 (9th Cir. 1992) (admitting copies of judgments certified by
8 the Texas Department of Corrections custodian under FRE 902(4)). The judgments also
9 do not constitute hearsay. Denton’s motion to strike Exhibits 1–7 to Fuelner’s
10 Declaration is DENIED.
11 Exhibit 8 to the Fuelner Declaration is a collection of some of Denton’s DOC
12 mental health records. See Dkt. 256. Again, these records are not hearsay; they are not
13 offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted, but rather to show their effect on those
14 assessing Denton’s potential for dangerousness. Moreover, they are “statement[s] made
15 for medical diagnosis or treatment” under FRE 803(4) and are therefore excepted from
16 the hearsay rule. The exhibits are also self-authenticating under FRE 902(11). Denton’s
17 motion is DENIED as to Exhibit 8 of the Fuelner Declaration.
18 Exhibits 9 and 10 to the Fuelner Declaration are records from DOC’s internal
19 OMNI database. These, again, are not used to prove the truth of the matter asserted.
20 Further, Exhibits 9 and 10 are self-authenticating under FRE 902(13). Thus, Denton’s
21 motion to strike is DENIED as to Exhibits 9–10 of the Fuelner Declaration.
22
1 2. Denton’s Motion to Strike Paragraphs 6 and 7 of Gallo Declaration is
DENIED.
2
Denton moves to strike paragraphs 6 and 7 of Charles Gallo’s Declaration, arguing
3
they are “conclusionary and based on speculation and hearsay.” Dkt. 259 at 7. Defendants
4
argue that the paragraphs are proper because they contain “Gallo’s own observations and
5
interactions with Denton.” Dkt. 274 at 19.
6
Dr. Gallo is a DOC psychologist employed in the SOU at MCC. Dkt. 252, ¶ 2. He
7
became Denton’s primary mental health provider in August 2021. Id. ¶ 3. The disputed
8
paragraphs discuss Gallo’s assessment of and interaction with Denton in September
9
2021:
10
6. On or about September 30, 2021, 1 completed a mental health update of
11 Mr. Denton. This mental health update was based on my review of his
extensive mental health records and my conversations with Mr. Denton. A
12 true and correct copy of this mental health update is attached to this
declaration as Exhibit 1. I included my diagnoses of antisocial personality
13 disorder and borderline personality disorder in the update. I concluded that
Mr. Denton's current presentation included manipulation, staff splitting,
14 paranoid ideations of him being targeted, reporting thoughts of self-harm
when not getting his needs med, lack of empathy, and a disregard for other
15 people's feelings. I concluded that Mr. Denton did not meet the criteria for
PTSD and also did not present with symptoms of a psychotic or mood
16 disorder.
17 7. I met with Mr. Denton after completing his mental health update and
informed him that adding SHU syndrome to his treatment plan would not
18 be possible since this diagnosis is not recognized by the Diagnostic
Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders 5'11 edition (DSM-26 5). After this
19 discussion I had with Mr. Denton, his professional relationship with me
significantly changed, Mr. Denton was aggressive and threatening toward
20 staff and took the dayroom hostage in one incident. He also was infracted
because he threatened to physically assault me if he had an opportunity to
21 the unit sergeant. I continued to try to work with Mr. Denton; however, Mr.
Denton would ignore me. Mr. Denton was ultimately discharged from the
22
1 Residential Treatment Unit setting due to his unwillingness to work with
mental health.
2
Id. ¶¶ 6–7.
3
The Court largely agrees that Gallo’s statements are based on his own
4
observations and interactions with Denton. Paragraph 6 is simply Gallo’s effort to
5
describe and authenticate the report offered as Exhibit 1 to his declaration. Denton does
6
not challenge the report itself. Denton’s motion to strike is DENIED as to paragraph 6.
7
In paragraph 7, Dr. Gallo describes his interactions with Denton and his
8
impression of their relationship. The only statement that could potentially run afoul of the
9
hearsay rule is Gallo’s representation that he “informed [Denton] that adding SHU
10
syndrome to his treatment plan would not be possible since this diagnosis is not
11
recognized by the Diagnostic Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders 5'11 edition.” Id.
12
¶ 7. This statement is not hearsay, however, because it is not offered to prove the truth of
13
the matter asserted. It is offered, instead, to provide an explanation for the subsequent
14
demise of Dr. Gallo’s relationship with Denton. Denton’s motion is DENIED as to that
15
statement. Even if offered for the truth of the matter asserted, the evidence could be
16
presented in an admissible form at trial.
17
The only statement that seems to be without proper foundation is that “Mr. Denton
18
was aggressive and threatening toward staff and took the dayroom hostage in one
19
incident.” Id. ¶ 7. Gallo seems to be referring to Denton’s interactions with other staff
20
members without explaining how he has such knowledge. Nevertheless, the evidence
21
could be presented in an admissible form at trial. For example, a staff member who was
22
1 present during these incidents could testify about them. Denton’s motion to strike certain
2 paragraphs in Gallo’s Declaration is DENIED.
3 B. Defendants’ Motions to Strike
4 1. Defendants’ Motion to Strike on the Basis of Discovery Violations is
DENIED.
5
Defendants argue that Dr. Kupers and Denton have “resisted discovery” and
6
“failed to provide supplemental expert reports before relying upon new opinions” and
7
that Dr. Kupers’ testimony should therefore be stricken. Dkt. 274 at 2–3. Similarly,
8
Defendants argue that Denton engaged in discovery violations in relation to the
9
declarations of Kyle Payment, Michael Denton, and Eric Johnsen. Id. at 3–6. Denton
10
argues that Defendants have long been aware of these discovery issues and that exclusion
11
is not the proper remedy. Dkt. 278.
12
The Court agrees. If this case were to continue, to the extent Defendants needed
13
additional discovery due to Denton’s alleged discovery violations, they could have filed
14
appropriate motions to reopen discovery, to compel, or otherwise.
15
Defendants’ motion to strike Dr. Kupers’ testimony and their motion to strike the
16
declarations of Payment, Denton, and Johnsen are DENIED.
17
2. Defendants’ Motion to Strike Declarations as Inadmissible is
18 GRANTED in Part and DENIED in Part.
Defendants also argue that certain portions of the above declarations should be
19
stricken for containing inadmissible material. Dkt. 274 at 6.
20
First, Defendants argue that Denton’s response improperly relies on Dr. Henry’s
21
report, but that Denton never notified Defendants that he intends to call Dr. Henry at trial.
22
1 Id. This request is DENIED. Defendants would have had ample time to resolve this
2 discovery dispute before trial.
3 Second, Defendants argue Payment’s Declaration should be stricken because it is
4 irrelevant and because it contains expert opinions from a non-expert witness. Id. Parts of
5 Payment’s Declaration, Dkt. 264, are relevant to Denton’s retaliation claim. Nevertheless,
6 the Court agrees that much of Payment’s Declaration is irrelevant. Defendants’ motion to
7 strike is GRANTED as to Paragraphs 7–13, 19–22, 24–25 of Payment’s declaration, and
8 those paragraphs are STRICKEN. The motion is DENIED as to the remaining
9 paragraphs.
10 Third, Defendants argue that portions of Denton’s brief inappropriately rely on Dr.
11 Eusanio’s report. Dkt. 274 at 6–7. This issue has been addressed previously. Denton can
12 properly rely on Dr. Eusanio’s report to show that Defendants had inquiry notice of how
13 isolation affects his mental health. Further, Dr. Kupers, in forming his opinions, can
14 embrace the opinions of a previous mental health provider. Defendants assert Denton
15 uses the report more broadly but provide no citations supporting that assertion. Id. at 7.
16 Further, Defendants argue that “[e]ven if the report were used as some kind of
17 notice, this simply means that Defendants had notice of the contents of the report not that
18 Defendants had notice his opinions were correct.” Id. They go on to say that “the only
19 notice [the report] provides is notice that Dr. Eusanio had reached certain conclusions
20 about Denton. It cannot provide notice that his conclusions were accurate.” Id.
21 This assertion is nonsensical. If an inmate had a broken leg and was evaluated by a
22 doctor who told DOC he had a broken leg, DOC could not later escape liability by
1 claiming they were not on notice because they only knew that the doctor concluded he
2 had a broken leg. It is a distinction without a difference. Defendants’ motion is DENIED
3 on this point.
4 Fourth, Defendants argue that Johnsen’s and Denton’s declarations contain
5 statements that are conclusory and amount to hearsay. Dkt. 274 at 7. Defendants take
6 issue with this statement in Johnsen’s Declaration: “Dr. Eusanio concluded that Mr.
7 Denton suffered from both mental illness and the effects of long-term isolation, otherwise
8 known as SHU (secure housing unit) Syndrome.” Dkt. 263, ¶ 2. Similarly, they take issue
9 with Denton’s recitation of his evaluation with and diagnosis by Dr. Eusanio. See Dkt.
10 260, ¶¶ 11–13.
11 Regardless of whether these explanations are admissible, the report speaks for
12 itself and is admissible to show notice. Denton may identify that report, as he does at Dkt.
13 260, ¶ 11, and the Court may consider that report in considering whether Defendants
14 were on inquiry notice of the effects of isolation on Denton’s mental state. Defendants’
15 motion is DENIED as moot.
16 Finally, Defendants move to strike Denton’s explanation of Dr. Kupers’
17 conclusions in his declaration at paragraphs 30 and 31, along with Exhibits G, H, and I to
18 Denton’s declaration. As to Dr. Kupers’ conclusions, the result is the same as above.
19 Denton can identify Dr. Kupers’ report and the report speaks for itself. The Court need
20 not consider Denton’s word-for-word quote of the report as it can consider the report
21 itself. To that extent, Defendants’ motion is DENIED as moot.
22
1 The Court did not consider Exhibits G, Dkt. 260-7, H, Dkt. 260-8, and I, Dkt. 260-
2 9, in evaluating the underlying summary judgment motion. Thus, Defendants’ motion to
3 strike those exhibits is DENIED as moot.
4 C. Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment
5 1. Legal Standard
6 Summary judgment is proper if the pleadings, the discovery and disclosure
7 materials on file, and any affidavits show that there is “no genuine dispute as to any
8 material fact and that the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ.
9 P. 56(a). In determining whether an issue of fact exists, the Court must view all evidence
10 in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party and draw all reasonable inferences in
11 that party’s favor. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248–50 (1986);
12 Bagdadi v. Nazar, 84 F.3d 1194, 1197 (9th Cir. 1996). A genuine issue of material fact
13 exists where there is sufficient evidence for a reasonable factfinder to find for the
14 nonmoving party. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248. The inquiry is “whether the evidence
15 presents a sufficient disagreement to require submission to a jury or whether it is so one-
16 sided that one party must prevail as a matter of law.” Id. at 251–52.
17 The moving party bears the initial burden of showing that there is no evidence
18 which supports an element essential to the nonmovant’s claim. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett,
19 477 U.S. 317, 322 (1986). Once the movant has met this burden, the nonmoving party
20 then must show that there is a genuine issue for trial. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 250. If the
21 nonmoving party fails to establish the existence of a genuine issue of material fact, “the
22 moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323–24.
1 There is no requirement that the moving party negate elements of the non-movant’s case.
2 Lujan v. Nat’l Wildlife Fed’n, 497 U.S. 871, 885 (1990). Once the moving party has met
3 its burden, the non-movant must then produce concrete evidence, without merely relying
4 on allegations in the pleadings, that there remain genuine factual issues. Anderson, 477
5 U.S. at 248.
6 2. Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment on Denton’s Eighth
Amendment Claim is GRANTED.
7
Defendants argue that Denton’s Eighth Amendment claim fails because he cannot
8
show that his confinement in Max custody “presented an objectively serious risk of
9
harm” given that he was able to progress off Max custody and, in fact, did so
10
successfully. Dkt. 248 at 14. They also argue that Denton cannot show that any of the
11
defendants were deliberately indifferent by keeping him in Max custody or by failing to
12
provide him adequate mental health treatment. Id. at 15–17. Finally, they argue that, even
13
if Defendants violated Denton’s Eighth Amendment rights, they are entitled to qualified
14
immunity because those rights were not clearly established. Dkt. 248 at 20–22.
15
Specifically, they argue that “[i]t is not clearly established that housing inmates, even
16
mentally ill inmates on solitary confinement violates the Eighth Amendment.” Id. at 20.
17
Denton argues that there are questions of fact as to whether Defendants subjected
18
him to cruel and unusual punishment, precluding summary judgment. Dkt. 259 at 8. He
19
asserts that he objectively had mental health issues that were exacerbated by his time in
20
isolation and that Defendants knew as much. Id. at 8–9. Specifically, he cites to Dr.
21
Eusanio’s report, which he asserts informed DOC officials that he had SHU syndrome
22
1 along with other mental health diagnoses. Id. at 10. He also asserts that he is not a
2 physical danger to anyone because none of the cited “assaults” involved him physically
3 harming anyone. Id. at 9. Finally, he asserts that his mental health issues make it
4 especially difficult to remain “infraction free” and leaving him effectively unable to
5 secure release from solitary. Id. at 11.
6 Denton also argues that he has been denied adequate mental health care. Id. at 13–
7 15. He asserts that there is objective evidence that DOC knew about his mental health
8 conditions and that his mental health was being worsened by solitary confinement. Id. He
9 argues that DOC denied him adequate care by keeping him in isolation. Id. Defendants
10 assert that on 11 occasions between 2017 and 2022, they offered Denton mental health
11 care, and he refused. Denton does not deny this contention and he does not explain why
12 he did not accept the care he claims he needed. Neither he nor his expert explain what
13 treatment he was denied.
14 As to qualified immunity, Denton challenges the premise of qualified immunity,
15 generally.6 Id. Denton argues that his Eighth Amendment claim is clearly established in
16 case law. Id. at 22–23. He further argues that recent non-binding opinions from Justices
17 Breyer and Kennedy, along with myriad scientific evidence, clearly establishes that
18 prolonged solitary confinement is harmful. Id. at 24–25.
19
20
21 6 Denton asserts that qualified immunity is based on a misunderstanding of history. Dkt.
259 at 22. Whether the doctrine of qualified immunity should be reevaluated is not for the
22 district court to consider or determine.
1 Under the qualified immunity doctrine, “government officials performing
2 discretionary functions generally are shielded from liability for civil damages insofar as
3 their conduct does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of
4 which a reasonable person would have known.” Harlow v. Fitzgerald, 457 U.S. 800, 818
5 (1982). Qualified immunity protects officials “who act in ways they reasonably believe to
6 be lawful.” Garcia v. Cnty. of Merced, 639 F.3d 1206, 1208 (9th Cir. 2011) (quoting
7 Anderson v. Creighton, 483 U.S. 640, 641 (1987)). The reasonableness inquiry is
8 objective, evaluating “whether the officers’ actions are ‘objectively reasonable’ in light of
9 the facts and circumstances confronting them, without regard to their underlying intent or
10 motivation.” Graham, 490 U.S. at 397.
11 A two-part test resolves claims of qualified immunity by determining whether
12 plaintiffs have alleged facts that “make out a violation of a constitutional right,” and if so,
13 whether the “right at issue was clearly established at the time of defendant’s alleged
14 misconduct.” Pearson v. Callahan, 555 U.S. 223, 232 (2009) (internal quotation marks
15 omitted). Defendants bear the burden to prove they are entitled to qualified immunity.
16 Moreno v. Baca, 431 F.3d 633, 638 (9th Cir. 2005).
17 The Court may analyze the two qualified immunity questions in either order. See
18 Pearson, 555 U.S. at 236. In this case, Denton moves for both monetary damages and
19 injunctive relief. Because qualified immunity does not shield Defendants from suit for
20 injunctive relief, it is logical to first address whether Denton has alleged facts that make
21 out a violation of a constitutional right.
22
1 “[T]he Eighth Amendment is violated when prison officials demonstrate deliberate
2 indifference to serious medical needs.” Hallett v. Morgan, 296 F.3d 732, 744 (9th Cir.
3 2002) (internal quotations omitted). There are both objective and subjective components
4 to determining whether there has been a constitutional violation. Id. The objective
5 component requires the plaintiff to show that the defendants subjected the plaintiff to an
6 “objectively intolerable risk of harm.” Farmer, 511 U.S. at 842. The subjective
7 component requires the plaintiff to show that the defendants “acted with deliberate
8 indifference in doing so.” Hallett, 296 F.3d at 744 (internal quotations omitted).
9 As to the subjective component, a prison official is deliberately indifferent to a
10 prisoner’s serious medical needs when they “deny, delay, or intentionally interfere with
11 medical treatment.” Id. (internal quotations omitted). Deliberate indifference “entails
12 something more than negligence but is satisfied by something less than acts or omission
13 for the very purpose of causing harm or with knowledge that harm will result.” Gantt v.
14 City of Los Angeles, 717 F.3d 702, 708 (9th Cir. 2013).
15 Defendants argue that, in evaluating deliberate indifference, the Court “should
16 take into account the legitimate penological interests served by Denton’s housing on
17 Maximum Custody.” Dkt. 248 at 14 (citing Griffin v. Gomez, 741 F.3d 10, 21 (9th Cir.
18 2014)). According to the Ninth Circuit, however, “[t]he precise role of legitimate
19 penological interests is not entirely clear in the context of an Eighth Amendment
20 challenge to conditions of confinement.” Grenning v. Miller-Stout, 739 F.3d 1235, 1240
21 (9th Cir. 2014). The Ninth Circuit notes in Grenning that whether a punishment has a
22
1 legitimate penological interest could factor into the analysis of whether a particular
2 punishment was cruel and unusual. Id.
3 Under DOC’s current policy, inmates cannot be put into isolation for disciplinary
4 reasons.7 The justification behind Denton’s isolation must be to protect DOC staff and
5 other inmates. It is therefore not clear that the Court can consider whether DOC has a
6 legitimate penological justification for isolating Denton in considering whether its
7 employees were deliberately indifferent to his health needs. In fact, Supreme Court
8 precedent suggests whether there is a legitimate penological justification is irrelevant to
9 the deliberate indifference question. See Johnson v. California, 543 U.S. 499, 511 (2005)
10 (“We judge violations of [the Eighth] Amendment under the ‘deliberate indifference’
11 standard, rather than Turner’s ‘reasonably related’ [to a legitimate penological interest]
12 standard.”).
13 As to whether Defendants were deliberately indifferent to Denton’s mental health
14 needs, DOC officials knew that long-term isolation was negatively affecting Denton’s
15 mental health. Dr. Eusanio’s report makes those effects clear and DOC concedes that it
16 received Dr. Eusanio’s report. See, e.g., Dkt. 162, ¶ 14 (“Defendants admit that the
17 Department of Corrections has received a report that purports to be from Dr. Eusanio and
18 that the Department has maintained a copy of that report.”). There is, then, a question of
19
20
21 7 Press Release, Washington State Department of Corrections, Washington State
Department of Corrections Ends Disciplinary Segregation (updated Oct. 1, 2021),
22 https://www.doc.wa.gov/news/2021/09302021p.htm.
1 fact as to whether Defendants were deliberately indifferent.8 However, Denton cannot
2 survive summary judgment on the objective component.
3 In assessing the objective component of a deliberate indifference claim, the Ninth
4 Circuit applies a four-part test:
5 (i) the defendant made an intentional decision with respect to the conditions
under which the plaintiff was confined; (ii) those conditions put the
6 plaintiff at substantial risk of suffering serious harm; (iii) the defendant did
not take reasonable available measures to abate that risk, even though a
7 reasonable official in the circumstances would have appreciated the high
degree of risk involved—making the consequences of the defendant’s
8 conduct obvious; and (iv) by not taking such measures, the defendant
caused the plaintiff’s injuries.
9
Gordon, 888 F.3d at 1125.
10
Defendants made an intentional decision in confining Denton in Max custody, and
11
solitary confinement put him at risk of suffering serious harm. Denton undisputedly
12
struggles with his mental health, and it is well understood that isolation exacerbates
13
mental health problems. Defendants did, however, take reasonable available measures to
14
avoid that risk. The record reflects that Defendants repeatedly tried to work with Denton
15
to secure his release from Max custody. See generally Dkt. 248 at 4–13. While it may be
16
true that Denton has struggled to comply with DOC policies because of his mental health
17
struggles, DOC employees actively engaged with him to encourage his compliance and to
18
devise a plan that would help him be successful outside of Max custody. Objectively,
19
Defendants took reasonable measures to abate the risks to Denton’s mental health.
20
21
8 Again, this is a close question, based on the Defendants’ unrebutted assertion that
22 Denton refused offered mental health care services 11 times in the last five years.
1 Even if Denton had established that Defendants violated his Eighth Amendment
2 rights, Defendants would still be entitled to qualified immunity as to money damages
3 because those rights were not clearly established.
4 Solitary confinement is clearly harmful to individuals’ mental health.
5 Nevertheless, that is not the standard for qualified immunity. In fact, it could reasonably
6 be argued that prison itself, even outside the context of solitary confinement, is harmful
7 to individuals’ mental and physical health.
8 Defendants cite several cases supporting their assertion that there is no consensus
9 on the unconstitutionality of solitary confinement. See Dkt. 248 at 21 (citing, inter alia,
10 Crane v. Utah Dept’ of Corr., 15 F.4th 1296, 1307 (10th Cir. 2021); Anderson v. Cnty. of
11 Kern, 45 F.3d 1310, 1316 (9th Cir. 1995). Denton does not raise any compelling case law
12 in response. His main argument is that Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825 (1994),
13 “established conditions of confinement of an inmate, including being deliberately
14 indifferent to medical and mental health needs violated the Eighth Amendment.” Dkt.
15 259 at 23. Farmer establishes the “deliberately indifferent” standard but does not clearly
16 establish that solitary confinement violates the Eighth Amendment.
17 Denton also cites non-majority Supreme Court opinions expressing concern with
18 the use of solitary confinement. Id. at 24 (citing Ruiz v. Texas, 580 U.S. 1191 (2017)
19 (Breyer, J., dissenting); Glossip v. Gross, 576 U.S. 863 (2015) (Breyer, J., dissenting);
20 Davis v. Ayala, 576 U.S. 257 (2015) (Kennedy, J., concurring)). “[C]losely analogous
21 preexisting case law is not required to show that a right was clearly established.”
22 Clairmont v. Sound Mental Health, 632 F.3d 1091, 1109 (9th Cir. 2011). Nevertheless,
1 “[w]here there is no case law directly on point, existing precedent must have placed the
2 statutory or constitutional question beyond debate.” C.B. v. City of Sonora, 769 F.3d
3 1005, 1026 (9th Cir. 2014) (internal quotation omitted). The non-majority case law
4 Denton cites does not place the Eighth Amendment question “beyond debate.” Similarly,
5 scholarly articles about the harmfulness of solitary confinement do not show the law is
6 clearly established.
7 Defendants’ motion for summary judgment is therefore GRANTED as to Denton’s
8 Eighth Amendment claim and that claim is DISMISSED with prejudice.
9 3. Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment on Denton’s Due Process
Claim is GRANTED.
10
Denton claims Defendants violated his Fourteenth Amendment Due Process rights
11
by denying him the “liberty interest of being free from perpetual long-term isolation
12
without any discernable way for him to free himself.” Dkt. 155, ¶ 41. While DOC has a
13
system by which Denton could, in theory, earn his way out of isolation, Denton claims
14
the mechanism is not “meaningful” because he is unable to meet the condition of
15
remaining infraction free because of his mental health conditions. Id. ¶ 43.
16
Defendants argue that Denton’s due process claim fails for two reasons. First, they
17
argue that it is barred by res judicata because Denton previously litigated a due process
18
claim regarding his confinement in Max custody in state court and he could have raised a
19
due process claim in his 2018 federal lawsuit. Dkt. 248 at 17. Second, they argue that
20
Denton’s due process claim fails on the merits because he cannot show that he was
21
denied “adequate procedural protections.” Id. at 17–19. Specifically, Defendants assert
22
1 that DOC’s procedures for reviewing an inmate’s Max custody status do not violate the
2 Due Process Clause under Wilkinson v. Austin, 545 U.S. 209 (2005). Id.
3 Denton argues that his claim is not barred by res judicata because, as the Court has
4 previously ruled, res judicata cannot bar a challenge to a continuing course of conduct.
5 Dkt. 259 at 7. Denton further argues that DOC’s six-month review standard is “grossly
6 inadequate and does not pass constitutional muster at least with respect to Denton.” Id. at
7 18. He argues that the reviews are meaningless in Denton’s case because he cannot
8 remain infraction free for so long because of his mental illness, which is being
9 exacerbated by his isolation. Id. In other words, Denton contends that he finds himself in
10 a Catch-22 situation: he cannot escape solitary because he cannot remain infraction free,
11 and he cannot remain infraction free because he cannot escape solitary.
12 Denton attempts to distinguish Wilkinson by explaining that the case involved
13 dangerous gang members who did not claim to have mental illnesses. Id. at 15. Denton
14 argues that each case must be analyzed individually using the factors set forth in
15 Matthews v. Eldridge, 424 U.S. 319 (1976). Id. at 16. While Denton’s complaint mainly
16 focuses on his prolonged confinement in isolation, his response to Defendants’ motion
17 for summary judgment also discusses his initial placement in Max custody. Id. at 17.
18 Finally, Denton argues that he was not given a meaningful opportunity to contest
19 his reassignment to the IMU. Id. at 19. He argues this violates the standard set forth by
20 the Ninth Circuit in Johnson v. Ryan, 55 F.4th 1167, 1188–89 (9th Cir. 2022). Id.
21 Defendants also argue that they are entitled to qualified immunity on Denton’s
22 Due Process claim because it is not clearly established that DOC’s review process for
1 Max custody inmates violates the Due Process Clause. Id. at 21–22. Denton argues that
2 his Due Process claim is clearly established in case law. Id. at 22–23.
3 a. Denton’s Claims are Not Precluded.
4 The Court previously ruled that res judicata does not bar Denton’s claims with
5 respect to his previous federal lawsuits. See Dkt. 151. Defendants argue, however, that
6 Denton’s Due Process claim is barred by res judicata due to a previous state court ruling.
7 Dkt. 248 at 17. The Washington Court of Appeals ruled that Denton did not “have a
8 protected liberty interest in his classification” of Max custody. In re Matter of Denton, 10
9 Wn. App. 2d 1012, 2019 WL 4189280, at *1 (Sept. 4, 2019) (citing Hernandez v.
10 Johnson, 833 F.2d 1316, 1318 (9th Cir. 1987)). It went on to say that “[h]e only has a
11 liberty interest in change of confinement to intensive management if that change imposes
12 an atypical and significant hardship in relation to the ordinary incidents of prison life”
13 and that “Denton [did] not demonstrate that his conditions of confinement are an atypical
14 hardship.” Id. at *1–2 (internal quotations and alterations omitted).
15 Res judicata, also known as claim preclusion, does not bar claims based on a
16 continuing course of conduct. See Frank v. United Airlines, Inc., 216 F.3d 845, 851 (9th
17 Cir. 2000) (“A claim arising after the date of an earlier judgment is not barred, even if it
18 arises out of a continuing course of conduct that provided the basis for the earlier
19 claim.”). The Washington Court of Appeals’ judgment is dated September 4, 2019, while
20 Denton’s operative complaint is dated October 11, 2022. Up to that point, DOC
21 continued to house Denton in isolation. Thus, his claim is not barred by claim preclusion.
22
1 There is a separate question, however, of issue preclusion, also called collateral
2 estoppel.9 Issue preclusion prevents re-litigation of an issue “when an issue of fact or law
3 is actually litigated and determined by a valid and final judgment, and the determination
4 is essential to the judgment.” Amadeo v. Principal Mutual Life Ins. Co., 290 F.3d 1152,
5 1159 (9th Cir. 2002). Issue preclusion applies when the following factors are satisfied:
6 “(1) the issue at stake was identical in both proceedings; (2) the issue was actually
7 litigated and decided in the prior proceedings; (3) there was a full and fair opportunity to
8 litigate the issue; and (4) the issue was necessary to decide the merits.” Janjua v. Neufeld,
9 933 F.3d 1061, 1065 (9th Cir. 2019) (quoting Oyeniran v. Holder, 672 F.3d 800, 806 (9th
10 Cir. 2012), as amended (May 3, 2012)) (looking to the record to determine if an issue had
11 been raised, contested and submitted for determination).
12 As explained further below, whether Denton has a protected liberty interest
13 depends in part on his length of confinement, which has increased substantially since the
14 2019 state court decision. Even if he did not have a protected liberty interest at the time,
15 he could now based on his increased, and nearly continuous, time in isolation. Moreover,
16 the state court ruled that Denton did not have a liberty interest in his classification as Max
17 custody. The question here, while similar, is apparently not the same. Denton argues that
18 he has a liberty interest in avoiding continued placement in, or reentering, solitary
19
20
21 9 Defendants did not specifically raise issue preclusion, but district courts have the
authority to raise the doctrine sua sponte. Disimone v. Browner, 121 F.3d 1262, 1267 (9th Cir.
22 1997).
1 confinement. DOC itself argues that Denton has remained on Max custody but has been
2 out of solitary confinement, even while still classified as a Max custody inmate.
3 Neither claim nor issue preclusion apply to this case.
4 b. Defendants are Entitled to Summary Judgment on Denton’s Due
Process Claim.
5
In analyzing a procedural due process claim, the Court analyzes two issues: (1)
6
“whether the inmate was deprived of a constitutionally protected liberty or property
7
interest”; and (2) “whether that deprivation was accompanied by sufficient procedural
8
protections.” Johnson v. Ryan, 55 F.4th 1167, 1179 (9th Cir. 2022). “A liberty interest
9
‘may arise from the Constitution itself . . . or it may arise from an expectation or interest
10
created by state laws or policies.’” Id. at 1180 (quoting Wilkinson, 545 U.S. at 221). The
11
nature of prison conditions may give rise to a liberty interest where those conditions
12
impose “atypical and significant hardship on the inmate in relation to the ordinary
13
incidents of prison life.” Sandin v. Conner, 515 U.S. 472, 484 (1995).
14
Inmates do not have a liberty interest in their initial classification. Myron v.
15
Terhune, 476 F.3d 716, 718 (9th Cir. 2007). Nevertheless, an inmate may have a
16
protected liberty interest in later being moved into restrictive custody if the conditions in
17
restrictive custody are “substantially more restrictive than the general population from
18
which he was moved” or if the conditions impose an “atypical and significant hardship.”
19
Johnson, 55 F.4th at 1180; see also Wilkinson, 545 U.S. at 223–24. While placement in
20
solitary confinement may not automatically give rise to a liberty interest, the length of
21
confinement and frequency of review of confinement status are relevant considerations in
22
1 determining whether the inmate has a liberty interest. See Brown v. Or. Dep’t of
2 Corrections, 751 F.3d 983, 988 (9th Cir. 2014); see also Hutto v. Finney, 437 U.S. 678,
3 686 (1978) (“[T]he length of confinement cannot be ignored in deciding whether the
4 confinement meets constitutional standards.”).
5 Denton does not challenge his initial classification but rather his lengthy stay in
6 solitary confinement and his reassignments to solitary confinement. The Court concludes
7 that Denton has established that he has been deprived of a protected liberty interest. He
8 has been held in isolation for the vast majority of his incarceration over the past six years.
9 His lengthy term in solitary paired with his serious mental health struggles has made it
10 difficult for him to meet the standards set by DOC for his release from isolation. This
11 imposes an atypical and significant hardship and thus gives rise to a protected liberty
12 interest. DOC has deprived him of that interest by continuing to hold him in isolation.
13 The remaining question is therefore “whether that deprivation was accompanied
14 by sufficient procedural protections.” Johnson v. Ryan, 55 F.4th 1167, 1179 (9th Cir.
15 2022). In analyzing that question, the Court examines the three Matthews factors: “(1) the
16 private interest affected; (2) the risk of an erroneous deprivation and the probable value
17 of any additional or substitute procedural safeguards; and (3) the government’s interest.”
18 Id. at 1179–80.
19 As to the first factor, the effects of solitary on Denton are clear and significant. His
20 mental health has declined, and continues to decline, as a result of his isolation. His
21 mental state is also unlikely to improve if he continues to be held in isolation, which may
22 complicate his adjustment outside of prison upon his ultimate release from DOC custody.
1 Despite the significant effects on Denton, the other two Matthews factors outweigh
2 his interest and support Defendants’ argument that DOC’s deprivation of his liberty
3 interest of being free from solitary is accompanied by sufficient procedural protections.
4 As to the second factor, DOC has significant procedural safeguards that make an
5 erroneous deprivation unlikely. DOC’s processes allow inmates, including Denton, a
6 meaningful opportunity to secure release from solitary. Within the six month intervals
7 between formal reviews, inmates can progress through the level system and at the highest
8 level they have day room access and contact with other inmates. Contrary to Denton’s
9 assertions, inmates do not have to remain completely infraction free to progress through
10 the level system and ultimately obtain release from Max custody. This is clear given the
11 fact that he has progressed through the levels with infractions and succeeded in his
12 placement in the BAR unit. Denton has not described a proposed plan to improve his
13 chances of progressing through these levels. And, as Defendants point out, Denton fails
14 to show how having more frequent reviews of his classification status would lessen the
15 possibility that he is “erroneously” retained on Max Custody. Dkt. 274 at 15.
16 Every six months,10 DOC reviews the custody status of inmates held in solitary. If
17 the Max custody committee decides to continue to hold an inmate in solitary, that inmate
18 has an opportunity to appeal that decision. Notably, six months is a much shorter length
19
20 10 Inmates are also apparently subject to an informal sixty-day review. Defendants do not
sufficiently explain what this review entails. Moreover, Denton disputes that he is subject to
21 sixty-day reviews and there has been some suggestion during this case that not all Max custody
inmates are subject to the sixty-day informal review. Because the Court concludes DOC’s other
22 processes are sufficient, it need not determine the sufficiency of the sixty-day review.
1 of time than the one-year review upheld by the Supreme Court in Wilkinson. While the
2 Court agrees with Denton that it must evaluate Denton’s Due Process claim on its own by
3 applying the Matthews factors, Wilkinson suggests that DOC’s six-month review is
4 procedurally sufficient.
5 As to the third factor, the DOC has a significant interest in confining inmates who
6 present a danger to staff and other inmates The Court acknowledges that Defendants
7 failed to produce any evidence that Denton has ever violently assaulted any staff or other
8 inmates. Nevertheless, Denton’s behavior that has resulted in repeated infractions is
9 serious and concerning. The record reflects that he has assaulted staff by spitting on them
10 and throwing urine and feces at them. While this type of assault may not be considered as
11 violent as physically hitting or kicking someone, for example, it remains dangerous to the
12 health and safety of DOC staff.
13 Denton also makes serious threats toward DOC staff members. This behavior
14 continued when he was ultimately released from Max custody earlier this year. DOC does
15 not have to wait for Denton to follow through on those threats before it takes action to
16 protect its staff.
17 While Defendants have deprived Denton of a protected liberty interest by holding
18 him in isolation for a prolonged period of time, DOC’s procedural safeguards are
19 sufficient to protect Denton’s Due Process rights.
20 Defendants did not violate Denton’s due process rights on his Due Process claim
21 as to money damages. Even Defendants had violated his due process rights, Denton has
22
1 not met his burden of showing his rights were clearly established, and qualified immunity
2 applies to shield the Defendants from his claim for money damages.
3 Denton cites Brown v. Oregon Department of Corrections, 751 F.3d 983 (9th Cir.
4 2014), asserting that it “[e]stablishes the liberty interest not to be indefinitely confined for
5 an extended period of time and certainly not indefinitely without due process.” Dkt. 259
6 at 22. Brown held that “lengthy confinement without meaningful review may constitute
7 atypical and significant hardship” such that it may give rise to a protectable liberty
8 interest.11 751 F.3d at 989. Brown does not clearly establish, however, that DOC’s
9 practice of granting six-month formal reviews is not “meaningful” or that such practice
10 violates due process.12
11 As with Denton’s Eighth Amendment claim, he cites to non-majority opinions and
12 academic journal articles to support his assertion that the law in this area is clearly
13 established. See id. at 24–25. None of those materials amount to clearly established law.
14 Defendants’ motion for summary judgment is GRANTED on Denton’s Due
15 Process claim and that claim is DISMISSED with prejudice.
16
17
18 11 In Brown, the defendant officials were entitled to qualified immunity because the Ninth
Circuit determined the liberty interest had not previously been clearly established. 751 F.3d at
19 989.
12 In June of this year, Secretary Strange acknowledged that solitary confinement causes
20 “long-lasting harm,” and the Department of Corrections announced it was taking steps to reduce
the use of solitary confinement by 90 percent over the next five years. Press Release,
21 Washington State Department of Corrections, DOC Pledges to Drastically Reduce Use of
Solitary Confinement and Announces Closure of Minimum-Security Prison (June 26, 2023),
22 https://www.doc.wa.gov/news/2023/06262023.htm.
1
2 4. Defendants Motion for Summary Judgment on Denton’s Retaliation
Claim is GRANTED.
3
Denton alleges that Defendants retaliated against him for filing grievances and
4
lawsuits by keeping him in solitary confinement in violation of his First Amendment
5
rights. Dkt. 155, ¶¶ 45–48.
6
Defendants argue that Denton’s retaliation claim fails for three reasons. First, they
7
argue that keeping an inmate in Max custody is not an adverse action because
8
“maintaining the status quo cannot reasonably be viewed as an adverse action.” Dkt. 248
9
at 19. Second, they argue that Denton cannot show he was kept in Max custody because
10
of any protected conduct. Id. at 19–20. Third, they argue that “Denton cannot show that
11
his continued retention on Max custody did not reasonably advance legitimate
12
correctional goals.” Id. at 20.
13
Denton asserts that he has repeatedly and undisputedly engaged in protected
14
conduct by filing both internal grievances and lawsuits. Dkt. 259 at 21. He argues that
15
DOC’s treatment of inmate Kyle Payment, who Denton classifies as more dangerous than
16
himself, shows that DOC’s explanation of retaining Denton on Max custody because of
17
his alleged dangerousness is pretextual. Id. He also asserts that DOC employees bait him
18
into infractions. Id.
19
Within the prison context, a First Amendment retaliation claim requires five
20
elements: “(1) An assertion that a state actor took some adverse action against an inmate
21
(2) because of (3) that prisoner’s protected conduct, and that such action (4) chilled the
22
1 inmate’s exercise of his First Amendment rights, and (5) the action did not reasonably
2 advance a legitimate correctional goal.” Rhodes v. Robinson, 408 F.3d 559, 567–68 (9th
3 Cir. 2005).
4 The Court agrees that Denton cannot show Defendants kept him in solitary
5 because of his protected conduct. Denton concedes he frequently violates DOC policy
6 and DOC has thoroughly documented Denton’s numerous infractions resulting in his
7 continued isolation. Further, Denton cannot show that his continued isolation did not
8 advance a legitimate correctional goal. While it may be true that Denton has not
9 physically harmed anyone during his current incarceration, it is undisputed that he
10 frequently threatens violence and behaves irrationally. That behavior is undoubtedly a
11 manifestation of his struggles with mental health, but that fact does not change the
12 prison’s legitimate concern with protecting its staff and other inmates.
13 As to Denton’s allegation that DOC employees bait him into infracting, it is
14 unclear how that could factor into his retaliation claim. If true, that evidence would better
15 serve as a reason why Denton has no meaningful opportunity to escape from solitary
16 confinement.
17 Defendants’ motion for summary judgment on Denton’s retaliation claim is
18 GRANTED and that claim is DISMISSED with prejudice.
19 ***
20 This case is difficult for several reasons. It highlights the difficulty of managing
21 inmates with serious mental health issues, particularly those that the prison views as
22 dangerous to other inmates or staff. Solitary confinement is undoubtedly harmful to
1 inmates’ mental health and the practice is especially harmful to inmates who are already
2 suffering from mental health issues. Additionally, inmates, including Denton, will
3 inevitably be released back into the community—the same community this Court seeks to
4 protect in adjudicating criminal matters. Thus, to the extent solitary confinement is
5 worsening their mental health, the practice is potentially putting that community in
6 greater danger. Nevertheless, DOC views solitary confinement, to some extent, as a
7 necessary evil, and the Court owes some deference to that judgment.
8 While DOC surely understands the complexity of these issues, it frequently
9 understates the severity of Denton’s mental health struggles. While Denton has exhibited
10 bad behavior, much of that behavior is a product of his struggles with mental health. By
11 all accounts, Denton experienced an incredibly difficult childhood, and his mental health
12 was in jeopardy from birth as a result of his mother’s drug use. This is not to say his
13 transgressions should be excused, but to acknowledge that his behavior is often virtually
14 beyond his control.
15 These issues are complex and nuanced, and this case is emblematic of why courts
16 are often hesitant to interject themselves into any aspects of prison management.
17 IV. ORDER
18 Therefore, it is hereby ORDERED that Defendants’ Motion for Summary
19 Judgment, Dkt. 248, is GRANTED. Denton’s Motion to Strike, Dkt. 259, is DENIED.
20 Defendants’ Motion to Strike, Dkt. 274, is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part.
21 Denton’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction, Dkt. 282, is DENIED as moot.
22 The Clerk shall enter a JUDGMENT and close the case.
1 Dated this 30th day of August, 2023.
A
2
3
BENJAMIN H. SETTLE
4
United States District Judge
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22