substantial burden 6 imposed by rule prohibiting prisoners from wearing religious headgear throughout prison
How later courts described this case
- substantial burden 6 imposed by rule prohibiting prisoners from wearing religious headgear throughout prison
- for claims brought under the First Amendment, the burden 17 “is not on the State to prove the validity of prison regulations but on the prisoner to disprove 18 it.”
- “The Eleventh Amendment bars [the plaintiff’s] suit for official-capacity damages 18 under RLUIPA.”
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
8
WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
AT TACOMA
9
10 MARIO WILSON,
CASE NO. 3:23-cv-05931-JHC-GJL
11 Plaintiff,
v.
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
12
GARY WAKEMAN, Noting Date: March 18, 2025
13
Defendant.
14
15 I. INTRODUCTION
16 This matter is before the Court on referral from the District Court. Plaintiff Mario Wilson
17 is a former prisoner at the Stafford Creek Corrections Center (“SCCC”), a prison operated by the
18 Washington State Department of Corrections (“DOC”). Plaintiff is proceeding pro se and in
19 forma pauperis in this 42 U.S.C. § 1983 civil rights action against the former SCCC Chaplain,
20 Gary Wakeman. In the Complaint, Plaintiff alleges that Defendant violated his rights under the
21 First Amendment to the United States Constitution and the Religious Land Use and
22 Institutionalized Persons Act (“RLUIPA”) by delaying access to his religious headwear, a Kufi,
23 upon his arrival at SCCC. Dkt. 8.
24
1 Presently before the Court are the parties’ Cross-Motions for Summary Judgment. Dkts.
2 25, 26. After reviewing the Motions and relevant record, the Court concludes Plaintiff has
3 established that Defendant’s delay in issuing the Kufi imposed a substantial burden on the
4 exercise of Plaintiff’s religious beliefs. Even so, the Court further finds Defendant’s actions were
5 rationally related to legitimate penological interests with respect to Plaintiff’s First Amendment
6 claim. As to Plaintiff’s RLUIPA claim, the Court finds Defendant’s actions related to DOC
7 policies were taken in furtherance of a compelling government interest with no lesser restrictive
8 means. The Court also concludes the undisputed evidence does not support Plaintiff’s related
9 retaliation claim. Finally, the Court holds Defendant is entitled to qualified immunity.
10 Accordingly, the Court recommends Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Dkt. 26) be
11 GRANTED and Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Dkt. 25) be DENIED.
12 II. BACKGROUND
13 A. Procedural History
14 On November 3, 2023, Plaintiff filed a Complaint alleging that Defendant’s actions while
15 Plaintiff was incarcerated at SCCC amounted to unconstitutional conduct.1 Dkt. 8. Specifically,
16 Plaintiff brings this suit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and 42 U.S.C. § 2000cc, et seq., alleging that
17 Defendant, SCCC’s former Chaplain, violated Plaintiff’s First Amendment rights and RLUIPA
18 when he did not immediately issue Plaintiff’s religious headwear, a Kufi, upon Plaintiff’s arrival
19 at SCCC in 2021. Id. at 2–4. In addition, Plaintiff alleges that Defendant retaliated against him
20 for repeatedly stating that his rights were being violated. Id. at 5. Plaintiff seeks declaratory relief
21 as well as compensatory and punitive damages. Id. at 7.
22
23
24
1 Plaintiff was released from incarceration in December 2023. See Dkt. 23 at 1.
1 Plaintiff filed a Motion for Summary Judgment on December 9, 2024. Dkt. 25. In support
2 of his Motion, Plaintiff attached several exhibits. Id. at 5–11. Defendant followed with a Cross-
3 Motion for Summary Judgment on December 16, 2024. Dkt. 26. In support of his Motion,
4 Defendant filed a declaration of Defendant, as well as a declaration of Carol Smith, the
5 Department of Corrections’ (“DOC”) statewide Resolution Program Manager. Dkts. 27, 28.
6 Defendant also electronically filed his Notice to Plaintiff of a Dispositive Motion filed with the
7 Clerk (“Rand Notice”). Dkt. 29. The parties have responded and replied to the Cross-Motions
8 and, thus, the Motions are ripe for consideration.2 Dkts. 31, 38–40.
9 B. Factual Background
10 The Court begins by summarizing the facts of this case from the parties’ pleadings,
11 summary judgment briefing, and the evidence submitted in support thereof. The facts are
12 undisputed except as noted.
13 DOC Policy 560.200, Religious Programs, is the principal policy concerning inmates’
14 religious practices and programs. Dkt. 28 ¶ 3, Wakeman Dec.; Dkt. 28-1, Ex. 1 (DOC Policy
15 560.200). As set forth in Policy 560.200, the DOC recognizes the importance of supporting the
16 religious faith practices of its incarcerated population. Dkt. 28 ¶ 3; Dkt. 28-1 at 3. The DOC
17 allows for religious services and acknowledges the rights of incarcerated individuals to believe,
18 express, and exercise the religion of their choice, provided it does not present a threat to facility
19 safety or security. Dkt. 28 ¶ 3; Dkt. 28-1 at 3. Individuals wishing to participate in religious
20
21
2 In his Reply to Plaintiff’s Response to Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment, Defendant argues Plaintiff’s
Response is untimely, as it was not filed in accordance with Local Rule 7(d)(4). See Dkt. 39 at 2–3. In his Sur-
22 Reply, Plaintiff argues that by virtue of the prison mailbox rule, his Response was timely. As Plaintiff was
incarcerated at the time he filed the Response, he does receive the benefit of the prison mailbox rule. See Douglas v.
23 Noelle, 567 F.3d 1103, 1106 (9th Cir. 2009) (citing Houston v. Lack, 487 U.S. 266 (1988)). Additionally, because
this Court recommends that Plaintiff’s claims be dismissed, the Court declines to strike Plaintiff’s Response to
24 Defendant’s Motion.
1 programs may possess DOC-approved religious items; however, such items will be stored in an
2 approved religious items box when not in use, with the exception of oversized items. Dkt. 28 ¶ 4;
3 Dkt. 28-1 at 13; Dkt. 28-1 at 26, Ex. 2 (DOC Policy 440.000). As to religious head coverings,
4 DOC Policy 560.200 states that, “[w]ith the exception of bandanas and fezzes, religious head
5 coverings may be worn at any time unless otherwise restricted for safety concerns (e.g., while
6 working with machinery).” Dkt. 25 at 10, Ex. C (DOC Policy 560.200).
7 In addition, DOC Policy 440.000 governs the allowance for incarcerated individuals to
8 possess personal property. Dkt. 28 ¶ 5; Dkt. 28-1, Ex. 2. Personal property must be acquired
9 from the DOC’s authorized sources and its retention must follow DOC guidelines. Dkt. 28 ¶ 5;
10 Dkt. 28-1 at 22. The property must also comply with the Maximum Allowable Personal Property
11 Matrix (“Matrix”)3 Dkt. 28 ¶ 5; Dkt. 28-1 at 22. If any property in the individual’s possession is
12 not listed on their Matrix, it will be considered unauthorized and contraband, and will be
13 disposed of per DOC Policy 400.000. Dkt. 28 ¶ 5; Dkt. 28-1 at 23. Specifically, the incarcerated
14 individual will have 90 days to dispose of the unauthorized property using the DOC Property
15 Disposition Form, DOC Form 21-139, which allows for the individual to mail the unauthorized
16 items out of the facility to a designated individual. Dkt. 28 ¶ 5; Dkt. 28-1 at 27.
17 Plaintiff was transferred to SCCC on May 7, 2021. Dkt. 28 ¶ 6. At the time of his arrival,
18 Plaintiff had his religious headwear, the Kufi, but, according to Plaintiff, SCCC property officers
19 confiscated it. Id.; Dkt. 8 ¶ 4. On May 17, 2021, Plaintiff sent Defendant a Kiosk message
20 regarding his Kufi, stating, “I came on tha [sic] chain with my Kufi. How long is it going to take
21 before I get it?” Dkt. 28 ¶ 7; Dkt. 28-1 at 33, Ex. 3 (SCCC Kiosk Messages & DOC Responses).
22
23 3 The Maximum Allowable Personal Property Matrix, found in an Attachment to DOC Policy 440.000, “identifies
the type, value, and amount of personal property authorized for offender retention at the different housing security
24 levels.” See Dkt. 28-1 at 22; 31–31, Ex. 2.
1 Plaintiff sent Defendant another message on May 20, 2021, stating, “I’ve been here going on
2 three weeks now. I’m wondering how long is it going to be until I get my Kufi that I came on tha
3 [sic] chain with and my religious items box that was brought with me in tha [sic] truck. I came
4 with all my boxes straight from OCC to here.” Dkt. 28 ¶ 7; Dkt. 28-1 at 34. Defendant responded
5 to Plaintiff on May 24, 2021, stating, “Watch for the callout.” Dkt. 28 ¶ 8; Dkt. 28-1 at 34–35. In
6 his Declaration, Defendant asserts this message for Plaintiff meant that, upon his receipt of the
7 Kufi, Defendant would place Plaintiff on callout to retrieve it. Dkt. 28 ¶ 8.
8 On May 27 and 29, 2021, Plaintiff sent Kiosk messages to the SCCC Property Unit,
9 inquiring about his “other” property boxes. Dkt. 28 ¶ 9; Dkt. 28-1 at 35. Also, on May 29, 2021,
10 Plaintiff sent Defendant a message, asking, “How long is it going to be before you put me on the
11 callout for my religious items box?” Dkt. 28 ¶ 10; Dkt. 28-1 at 35. Plaintiff sent Defendant
12 another message on June 3, 2021, stating, “I’ve been here going on a month or long [sic], I’d like
13 to know how much longer is it going to be until you put me on the callout for my Kufi I came
14 here with?????” Dkt. 28 ¶ 10; Dkt. 28-1 at 36. Defendant responded on that same day, stating, “I
15 don’t have anything for you . . . If I do get something then you will be placed on a callout.” Dkt.
16 28 ¶ 10; Dkt. 28-1 at 36.
17 Also on June 3, 2021, the Property Unit responded to Plaintiff, asking, “Did you receive
18 any property whatsoever?” Dkt. 28-1 at 36. Plaintiff responded on June 4, 2021, stating, “I was
19 brought here in tha [sic] transport van straight from OCC an[d] I had my Kufi in my chain bag.
20 When I got here, Property took my Kufi an[d] said that it would be given to tha [sic] Chaplain. I
21 just received a message from tha [sic] Chaplain an[d] he said he doesn’t have it.” Dkt. 28 ¶ 11;
22 Dkt. 28-1 at 36. The Property Unit replied on June 7, 2021, stating, “You need to show proof that
23 you own a religious items box to be approved to have the Kufi.” Dkt. 28 ¶ 12; Dkt. 28-1 at 37.
24
1 Plaintiff responded to the Unit on the same day, asserting, “Religious property has nothing to do
2 with regular property so you need to send my religious property to tha [sic] Chaplain, because as
3 of now you are violating DOC Policy 560.200 an[d] my constitutional rights under the
4 RLUIPA.” Dkt. 28 ¶ 12; Dkt. 28-1 at 37. Also on June 7, 2021, Plaintiff sent Defendant a
5 message, stating, “Property sent me a message stating that they have my Kufi, which I already
6 knew because I arrived with it, but they [are] refusing to give to you whereas anything religious
7 related is not their concern. I let them kno[w], they are violating 560.200, and RLUIPA.” Dkt. 28
8 ¶ 12; Dkt. 28-1 at 37.
9 On June 8, 2021, Defendant responded to Plaintiff’s June 7, 2021, message, stating, “So
10 in order to have religious items you need a religious items box first. You do not have one on your
11 matrix, in order for me to get your Kufi to issue to you, you will need to order a religious items
12 box off of store. Let property know when you get one and then they can give me your Kufi.”
13 Dkt. 28 ¶ 13; Dkt. 28-1 at 38. Plaintiff responded on the same day, stating, “Why would I order a
14 religious items box when I have one on my matrix already? Maybe you need to double check
15 because I purchased one when I was here at SCCC in 2019.” Dkt. 28 ¶ 13; Dkt. 28-1 at 38.
16 Defendant responded, “Property is saying that you do not have one. Message them.” Dkt. 28 ¶
17 13; Dkt. 28-1 at 38. Plaintiff replied stating that Defendant and the Property Unit were depriving
18 him of his religious property and had violated his rights and DOC Policy 560.100 and 560.200.
19 Dkt. 28 ¶ 13; Dkt. 28-1 at 38. Defendant responded to Plaintiff again, stating, “DOC Policy
20 560.200 requires you to have a religious items box to store religious items in. If you have the box
21 with a receipt just provide it to Property if you do not order one. It’s that simple.” Dkt. 28 ¶ 13;
22 Dkt. 28-1 at 39.
23
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1 Plaintiff sent two messages to Defendant on June 8, 2021, in response to Defendant’s last
2 message. First, Plaintiff asked Defendant, “It’s a religious matter, so why would I keep sending
3 them messages. At the moment you’re not attending to my spiritual needs. You have access to
4 look at my matrix. Per Policy 560.100 and 560.200 you are to handle religious matters.” Dkt. 28
5 ¶ 14; Dkt. 28-1 at 39. His other message stated, in part, “Religious property has nothing to do
6 with regular property.” Dkt. 28-1 at 39. Defendant replied, “Your spiritual need of a Kufi
7 requires you to have a religious items box. If you do not then that would be on you.” Dkt. 28-1 at
8 39. Plaintiff responded, “I have an items box, which has nothing to do with me practicing my
9 religion, whereas you not going to get my religious item does. Your refusal to do so is preventing
10 me from getting my religious property, which in turn, prevents me from picking it up.” Dkt. 28-1
11 at 39.
12 Also on June 8, 2021, Plaintiff sent Commissary a message, stating, “I ordered a religious
13 items box around Oct-Nov of 2018 when I arrived at [SCCC]. Are you able to give me tha [sic]
14 ordering # and date for that purchase please?” Dkt. 28-1 at 40. Commissary responded, “You
15 will need to contact public records for that information.” Id.
16 On June 8, 2021, Defendant responded to Plaintiff’s message indicating he has an items
17 box, stating, “So you have one, that’s great. You will be on callout and I just need you to bring it
18 with you along with your [receipt] and we will get this taken care of.” Dkt. 28 ¶ 14; Dkt. 28-1 at
19 41. Plaintiff replied, “You can see on my religious file when I received it, an[d] you’ll see that
20 got my items box while I was here 2018-2019.” Dkt. 28 ¶ 14; Dkt. 28-1 a 41. Defendant
21 responded, “Y[e]a no problem you will be on callout for tomorrow at 2:30 in the property room,
22 just bring your box and receipt and we can get it all taken care of.” Dkt. 28 ¶ 14; Dkt. 28-1 at 42.
23
24
1 In his Declaration, Defendant gives an account of his understanding of a Kufi as a
2 religious item at the time he responded to Plaintiff on June 8, 2021. Defendant asserts,
3 At this time, it was my understanding that an individual must have a religious items
box to be issued a Kufi. Therefore, on June 9, 2021, when I met with Wilson and
4 he did not have a religious items box, I informed him I would need to conduct a
disposition on the Kufi and he would be allowed to send it out. However, after
5 conferring with DOC Headquarters I was informed a Kufi does not require a
religious items box. I then placed Wilson on callout to issue his Kufi.
6
Dkt. 28 ¶ 15.
7
Later on June 9, 2021, Plaintiff sent Defendant a message, asking, “Can you sign me up
8
for tha [sic] open chapel religious programs for Fridays 12-230?” Dkt. 28-1 at 42. Defendant
9
responded to Plaintiff on June 11, 2021, “added.” Id.
10
On June 11, 2021, Plaintiff sent several Kiosk messages to SCCC and other DOC
11
officials regarding his Kufi. In these messages, Plaintiff informed the officials that he had arrived
12
at SCCC with his Kufi but Defendant was still refusing to issue it to him, that he had informed
13
Defendant he was violating federal law and DOC policies, and that Defendant was threatening to
14
dispose of Plaintiff’s Kufi in retaliation for Plaintiff using his “free speach [sic]”. Dkt. 28-1 at
15
43–45.
16
On June 14, 2021, the SCCC Superintendent sent Plaintiff a message, stating, “Chaplain
17
received clarification on your issue and will be issuing you your Kufi this week.” Dkt. 28 ¶ 16;
18
Dkt. 28-1 at 46. The Superintendent sent Plaintiff another message that day letting Plaintiff know
19
that he would be issued his Kufi “sometime this week.” Dkt. 28-1 at 47.
20
On June 16, 2021, Plaintiff sent Defendant a message, asking, “I’d like to know when
21
you’re going to put me on tha [sic] callout for my Kufi? I received a message stating it would be
22
this week?” Dkt. 28 ¶ 17; Dkt. 28-1 at 48. Defendant responded to Plaintiff with, “Thursday.”
23
Dkt. 28 ¶ 17; Dkt. 28-1 at 49.
24
1 On June 17, 2021, Plaintiff was issued his Kufi and other religious property that had
2 arrived at SCCC that week. Dkt. 28 ¶ 18.
3 On both July 1st and 22nd of 2021, Plaintiff filed complaints against Defendant through
4 the DOC’s Resolution Program. Dkt. 27 ¶ 6, Smith Dec.; Dkt. 27-1 at 2, 4 (DOC Resolution
5 Requests & Responses). The matter was investigated by a DOC Resolution Specialist and
6 reviewed by the SCCC Superintendent. Dkt. 27-1 at 9–15. After investigation, it was determined
7 that Defendant’s actions were in accordance with DOC policies, that he requested and received
8 clarification from DOC Headquarters on his understanding of DOC policies with respect to
9 religious headwear, that Defendant’s actions were without malice, and that Plaintiff ultimately
10 received his Kufi after everything was clarified. Id. Plaintiff sought further review, and DOC
11 Headquarters affirmed the Resolution Specialist’s findings. Id. at 14–15.
12 III. LEGAL STANDARDS
13 A. Summary judgment
14 Summary judgment is appropriate when the “movant shows that there is no genuine
15 dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R.
16 Civ. P. 56(a); Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 247 (1986). The central issue is
17 “whether the evidence presents a sufficient disagreement to require submission to a jury or
18 whether it is so one-sided that one party must prevail as a matter of law.” Anderson, 477 U.S. at
19 251–52.
20 The moving party bears the initial burden of showing “that there is an absence of
21 evidence to support the nonmoving party’s case.” Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 325
22 (1986). Where the moving party does not bear the burden at trial, it can carry its initial burden by
23 presenting evidence that negates an essential element of the nonmoving party’s case, or by
24
1 establishing that the nonmovant lacks the quantum of evidence needed to satisfy its burden at
2 trial. Nissan Fire & Marine Ins. Co. v. Fritz Companies, Inc., 210 F.3d 1099, 1102 (9th Cir.
3 2000). Where the moving party bears the burden at trial, it can meet its initial burden by
4 presenting evidence sufficient to demonstrate that no reasonable trier of fact could find for the
5 nonmoving party; the evidence presented must establish beyond controversy every essential
6 element of the claim. Southern Cal. Gas. Co. v. City of Santa Ana, 336 F.3d 885, 888–89 (9th
7 Cir. 2003).
8 If the moving party meets its initial responsibility, the burden then shifts to the
9 nonmoving party to establish a genuine issue of material fact for trial. Matsushita Elec. Indus.
10 Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 585–87 (1986). Genuine disputes are those for which
11 the evidence is such that a “reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party.”
12 Anderson, 477 U.S. at 257. Material facts are those which might affect the outcome of the suit
13 under governing law. Id. A mere scintilla of evidence is insufficient to create a factual dispute.
14 Id. at 252. Likewise, the nonmoving party cannot “defeat summary judgment with allegations in
15 the complaint, or with unsupported conjecture or conclusory statements.” Hernandez v.
16 Spacelabs Med. Inc., 343 F.3d 1107, 1112 (9th Cir. 2003).
17 Allegations based merely on the plaintiff’s belief are insufficient to oppose summary
18 judgment, as are unsupported conjecture and conclusory statements. Id.; McElyea v. Babbitt, 833
19 F.2d 196, 197–98 n.1 (9th Cir. 1987). In ruling on a motion for summary judgment, the Court
20 must draw all reasonable inferences in favor of the nonmoving party, Matsushita Elec. Indus.
21 Co., 475 U.S. at 587, and may not weigh the evidence or make credibility determinations,
22 Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248.
23
24
1 When parties file cross-motions for summary judgment, as the parties have done here, each
2 motion “must be considered on its own merits.” Fair Hous. Council of Riverside County, Inc. v.
3 Riverside Two, 249 F.3d 1132, 1136 (9th Cir. 2001). The court must review the evidence submitted
4 in support of each cross-motion. Id. And, although the parties may each assert there are no
5 uncontested issues of material fact, the Court must determine whether disputed issues of material
6 fact are present. Id.; Osborn v. Butler, 712 F. Supp. 2d 1134, 1148 (D. Idaho 2010).
7 B. Section 1983 Standard
8 In order to recover pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must prove that: (l) the
9 conduct complained of was committed by a person acting under color of state law and (2) the
10 conduct deprived a person of a right, privilege, or immunity secured by the Constitution or laws
11 of the United States. Parratt v. Taylor, 451 U.S. 527, 535 (1981), overruled on other grounds,
12 Daniels v. Williams, 474 U.S. 327 (1986). The causation requirement of § 1983 is satisfied only
13 if a plaintiff demonstrates that a defendant did an affirmative act, participated in another’s
14 affirmative act, or omitted to perform an act which he or she was legally required to do that
15 caused the deprivation complained of. Arnold v. Int’l Bus. Machines Corp., 637 F.2d 1350, 1355
16 (9th Cir. 1981).
17 IV. DISCUSSION
18 Defendant seeks summary judgment on all of Plaintiff’s claims, including his First
19 Amendment and RLUIPA claims as well as the retaliation claim. Dkt. 26. Defendant argues he is
20 entitled to qualified immunity on these claims. Id. Defendant also asserts that Plaintiff is not
21 entitled to damages against Defendant in his official capacity, and that RLUIPA does not provide
22 a cause of action for damages against defendants sued individually. Dkt. 26; Dkt. 39. In his
23 Cross-Motion, Plaintiff seeks summary judgment in his favor on his claims. Dkt. 25.
24
1 A. First Amendment and RLUIPA Claims
2 Defendant asserts that Plaintiff has not presented a valid claim under the First
3 Amendment or RLUIPA because he has not demonstrated that Defendant substantially burdened
4 his religious practice. Dkt. 26 at 11–12; 15–17. Upon review, the Court finds Plaintiff has
5 established that the free exercise of his religious beliefs was substantially burdened. However,
6 the Court concludes that Plaintiff has not satisfied the Turner reasonable relation test as it relates
7 to his First Amendment claim. The Court also finds that Defendant’s actions were supported by a
8 compelling government interest as they relate to Plaintiff’s RLUIPA claim.
9 1. The First Amendment
10 Under the First Amendment, inmates retain the right to the free exercise of their religion,
11 but this right is not absolute and must be balanced against the realities of incarceration and the
12 legitimate needs of prison administration. Prison regulations or practices that intrude upon an
13 inmate’s free exercise rights are permissible so long as they are “reasonably related to legitimate
14 penological interests.” Turner v. Safley, 482 U.S. 78, 89 (1987). Implicit in the reasonably
15 related standard is an understanding that lawful incarceration brings about necessary restrictions
16 on certain constitutional rights due to the security, discipline, and operational concerns of
17 prisons. Shakur v. Schriro, 514 F.3d 878, 884 (9th Cir. 2008). The standard also “ensures the
18 ability of corrections officials to anticipate security problems and to adopt innovative solutions to
19 the intractable problems of prison administration and avoids unnecessary intrusion of the
20 judiciary into problems particularly ill suited to resolution by decree.” O’Lone v. Estate of
21 Shabazz, 482 U.S. 342, 349–50 (1987).
22 In evaluating a prisoner’s First Amendment claim brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, the
23 Court follows a two-step inquiry. First, the plaintiff must show that the challenged action or
24
1 policy substantially burdened his sincere religious beliefs. Jones v. Williams, 791 F.3d 1023,
2 1031–32 (9th Cir. 2015). “A substantial burden . . . place[s] more than an inconvenience on
3 religious exercise; it must have a tendency to coerce individuals into acting contrary to their
4 religious beliefs or exert substantial pressure on an adherent to modify his behavior and to
5 violate his beliefs.” Ohno v. Yasuma, 723 F.3d 984, 1011 (9th Cir. 2013) (internal citations and
6 quotations omitted); see also Warsoldier v. Woodford, 418 F.3d 989, 995 (9th Cir. 2005).
7 If a plaintiff establishes a substantial burden, the Court then determines whether the
8 challenged action or policy is reasonably related to legitimate penological interests. Turner, 482
9 U.S. at 89; Shakur, 514 F.3d at 883–84. In evaluating this relationship, courts consider four
10 factors, which are often referred to as the Turner factors: (1) whether the challenged action or
11 regulation has a valid, rational connection to a legitimate penological interest; (2) whether the
12 plaintiff retains alternative means of exercising their religion; (3) the impact accommodating the
13 religious practice would have on prison staff, other inmates, and institutional resources; and (4)
14 the absence of ready alternatives that would fully accommodate the inmate’s rights at de minimis
15 cost to the institution. Shakur, 514 F.3d at 884 (citing Turner, 482 U.S. at 89–90). In considering
16 the Turner factors, courts must afford deference to prison administrators’ decisions balancing
17 inmate rights with institutional needs. See O’Lone, 482 U.S. at 349; Turner, 482 U.S. at 89–90.
18 Further, the burden of proof “is not on the State to prove the validity of prison regulations but on
19 the plaintiff to disprove it” under the Turner factors. Overton v. Bazzetta, 539 U.S. 126, 132
20 (2003).
21 a. Plaintiff has established a substantial burden on the exercise of his
religious beliefs
22
As an initial matter, the Court recognizes that this is not a case where an existing DOC
23
policy prohibits an individual such as Plaintiff from wearing a Kufi at any time. See Ajala v.
24
1 West, 106 F. Supp. 3d 976, 981 (W.D. Wisc. 2015) (“If plaintiff’s religious beliefs require him to
2 wear his kufi “at all times,” then a rule that allows plaintiff to wear his kufi “most of the time”
3 imposes a substantial burden on his religious exercise because the rule requires him to “engage
4 in conduct that seriously violates his religious beliefs.”) (quoting Holt v. Hobbs, 574 U.S. 352,
5 361 (2015)); Ali v. Stephens, 69 F. Supp. 3d 633, 643-44 (E.D. Tx. 2014) (substantial burden
6 imposed by rule prohibiting prisoners from wearing religious headgear throughout prison). In
7 fact, DOC Policy 560.200 states that, “[w]ith the exception of bandanas and fezzes, religious
8 head coverings may be worn at any time unless restricted for safety concerns.” Dkt. 25 at 10, Ex.
9 C. Instead, this case centers on Defendant’s early conduct, specifically his initial
10 misunderstanding of DOC policy with respect to whether an individual must possess a religious
11 items box in order to be issued a Kufi. See Dkt. 28 ¶ 15 (“At this time, it was my understanding
12 that an individual must have a religious items box to be issued a Kufi.”). Operating under that
13 misunderstanding, Defendant informed Plaintiff that the Kufi was a religious item requiring
14 Plaintiff to have a religious items box. Dkt. 28-1 at 39. When Plaintiff responded that he had a
15 religious items box, Defendant requested that Plaintiff come to the property room the following
16 day with the box in order to retrieve the Kufi. Dkt. 28 ¶ 14. Plaintiff met with Defendant the next
17 day, but without a religious items box and, thus, based on Defendant’s misunderstanding of DOC
18 policy at that time, Defendant did not issue the Kufi to Plaintiff. Dkt. 28 ¶ 15.
19 However, once Defendant received clarification from DOC Headquarters that, under
20 DOC policy, a Kufi does not require a religious items box, Defendant placed Plaintiff on the
21 callout to issue his Kufi. Id. While the record shows that Plaintiff did eventually receive his Kufi,
22 the events leading up to its issuance occurred over a span of thirty-one (31) days. See Dkt. 26 at
23 6. Plaintiff asserts that this 31-day delay “interfered with [his] ability to fulfill the religious
24
1 mandate of wearing a Kufi . . . and caused a significant disruption to [his] religious practice by
2 preventing him from wearing his Kufi – a mandated religious practice.” Dkt. 38 at 8, 9.
3 Defendant does not dispute the 31-day delay, but argues that during this time he was assisting
4 Plaintiff with his spiritual needs. Dkt. 26 at 11.
5 Drawing all reasonable inferences here in favor of Plaintiff, the Court finds a genuine
6 dispute of material fact as to whether Defendant’s misunderstanding of DOC policy and
7 subsequent delay in issuing the Kufi imposed a “substantial burden on the exercise of
8 [Plaintiff’s] religious beliefs.” Warsoldier, 418 F.3d at 994.
9 b. Plaintiff has not satisfied the Turner test
10 Because Plaintiff has established a substantial burden, the Court now examines Plaintiff’s
11 First Amendment claim under the Turner factors. Viewing the facts in a light most favorable to
12 Plaintiff, the Court concludes all factors weigh in favor of summary judgment with respect to
13 Defendant and his role in delaying the issuance of Plaintiff’s Kufi.
14 The first Turner factor requires the Court to evaluate whether there was a legitimate
15 penological interest that is rationally related to the policies on possession of personal property
16 and religious items. See Turner, 482 U.S. at 89–90. Here, Defendant provides evidence of
17 several DOC policies related to an incarcerated individual’s rights with respect to exercising
18 their religious beliefs. See Dkt. 28-1, Ex. 1; Dkt. 28-1, Ex. 2; Dkt. 25 at 1, Ex. C. As stated in
19 DOC Policy 560.200, “The Department will provide religious as well as cultural opportunities
20 for offenders within available resources, while maintaining facility security, safety, health, and
21 orderly operations.” Dkt. 28-1 at 3, Ex. 1. Further, as to religious head coverings, DOC Policy
22 560.200 states that, “[w]ith the exception of bandanas and fezzes, religious head coverings may
23 be worn at any time unless otherwise restricted for safety concerns (e.g., while working with
24
1 machinery).” Dkt. 28-1 at 6, Ex. 1; Dkt. 25 at 10, Ex. C. These DOC policies rationally attempt
2 to give priority to an incarcerated individual’s right to “believe, express, and exercise the religion
3 of their choice,” Dkt. 28-1 at 3, while also maintaining the Department’s penological interests in
4 order, safety, and security of its facilities. Thus, the Court finds that the first Turner factor
5 weighs in favor of Defendant.
6 Under the second Turner factor, the Court considers whether Plaintiff has “alternative
7 means by which he can practice his religion” or is “denied all means of religious expression.”
8 Ward v. Walsh, 1 F.3d 873, 876–77 (9th Cir. 1993). It is undisputed that Plaintiff had other
9 means of practicing his religion. For example, upon his request, Plaintiff was added to the open
10 chapel religious programming. See Dkt. 28-1 at 42. Further, Defendant posits that, even though
11 his misunderstanding of DOC policy led him to informing Plaintiff that he would issue the Kufi
12 only when Plaintiff acquired the religious items box, if Plaintiff had in fact acquired that
13 religious items box, Defendant would have issued the Kufi. Dkt. 26 at 13. This, Defendant
14 argues, shows that, despite the misunderstanding, Plaintiff was still provided with an alternate
15 means for practicing his religion. Id. Plaintiff has not countered this argument with any evidence
16 that he was unable to exercise his religious beliefs due to the lack of his Kufi. Thus, the second
17 Turner factor also weighs in favor of Defendant.
18 The third Turner factor considers the impact of the requested accommodation on prison
19 staff, other inmates, and overall resources. Turner, 482 U.S. at 90. In support, Defendant first
20 characterizes Plaintiff’s request for accommodation as a desire to have his Kufi issued to him
21 immediately on demand. Dkt. 26 at 14. Accommodating Plaintiff in this manner, Defendant
22 contends, would be contrary to DOC policy regarding property distribution and possession. Id.
23 More specifically, Defendant asserts, “Permitting this type of action[ ] would upend the
24
1 Department’s personal and/or religious property system, would supplant state law giving the
2 Department Secretary discretion on how property is distributed, would impose a significant
3 burden on Department resources, and would seriously undermine prison safety for everyone
4 involved.” Id. In his filings, Plaintiff does not address the third Turner factor, nor does he dispute
5 Defendant’s argument with respect to the economic impact of accommodating Plaintiff. See
6 Dkts. 8, 25, 38, 40. Upon review, the Court concludes the third Turner factor weighs in favor of
7 Defendant.
8 The fourth and final Turner factor asks whether there are obvious, easy alternatives that
9 would accommodate the inmate’s religious exercise at a de minimis cost to the institution.
10 Turner, 482 U.S. at 90–91. On this factor, “prison officials do not have to set up and then shoot
11 down every conceivable alternative method of accommodating” a plaintiff’s religious beliefs. Id.
12 Rather, if a plaintiff can “point to an alternative that fully accommodates [their] rights at de
13 minimis cost to valid penological interests, a court may consider that as evidence that the
14 [challenged policy] does not satisfy the reasonable relationship standard.” Id. at 91. As with the
15 third Turner factor, in his filings, Plaintiff does not address this fourth Turner factor. See Dkts. 8,
16 25, 38, 40. Plaintiff has provided no other suggestions for ready alternatives that would achieve
17 Defendant’s legitimate penological interests while also accommodating Plaintiff’s request. Thus,
18 the Court finds that Plaintiff has not demonstrated that there are viable, ready alternatives to
19 Defendant’s current policies on possession of personal property and religious items. Therefore,
20 the Court concludes the fourth Turner factor weighs in favor of Defendant.
21 Considering all four Turner factors, the Court finds that the DOC policies on possession
22 of personal property and religious items have a reasonable connection to the legitimate
23 penological goal of maintaining order, safety, and security. The Court also finds that Plaintiff has
24
1 alternatives for him to engage in his religious practice. Further, the Court finds that to allow
2 Plaintiff immediate issuance of property on demand and counter to DOC policy and procedures
3 would disrupt the current procedure, would impose a significant burden on Department
4 resources, and would seriously undermine prison safety for everyone involved. Finally, the Court
5 finds that Plaintiff has not shown there are any ready alternatives to Defendant’s policies. For
6 these reasons and for those addressed above, the Court recommends GRANTING Defendant’s
7 Motion for Summary Judgment (Dkt. 26) and DENYING Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary
8 Judgment (Dkt. 25) with respect to Plaintiff’s First Amendment claim.
9 2. RLUIPA
10 RLUIPA provides in relevant part:
11 No government shall impose a substantial burden on the religious exercise of a
person residing in or confined to an institution, . . . unless the government
12 demonstrates that imposition of the burden on that person—
13 (A) is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest; and
14 (B) is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental
interest.
15 42 U.S.C. § 2000cc–1(a). To demonstrate a RLUIPA violation, a plaintiff “bears the initial
16 burden” of showing the challenged state action constitutes “a substantial burden on the exercise
17 of his religious beliefs.” Warsoldier, 418 F.3d at 994.
18 As the Ninth Circuit explained in Warsoldier, to be considered a “substantial burden,” the
19 challenged action “must impose a significantly great restriction or onus upon [religious]
20 exercise,” such that it “intentionally puts significant pressure on inmates . . . to abandon their
21 religious beliefs.” Id., 418 F.3d at 995–96 (substantial burden test is same under First
22 Amendment free exercise clause and RLUIPA). Courts consider whether a challenged action
23 “denies an important benefit because of conduct mandated by religious belief, thereby putting
24
1 substantial pressure on an adherent to modify his behavior and to violate his beliefs.” Hartmann
2 v. Cal. Dep’t of Corr. & Rehab., 707 F.3d 1114, 1124–25 (9th Cir. 2013) (cleaned up). As with
3 claims brought under the First Amendment, a substantial burden requires “more than an
4 inconvenience on religious exercise.” Guru Nanak Sikh Soc’y of Yuba City v. Cnty. of Sutter, 456
5 F.3d 978, 988 (9th Cir. 2006) (internal quotation marks omitted). If the plaintiff is unable to
6 demonstrate they suffered a substantial burden at the hand of any defendant, the inquiry ends,
7 and summary judgment is appropriate.
8 If, on the other hand, the plaintiff demonstrates a defendant imposed a substantial burden
9 on his religious exercise, the evidentiary burden shifts to the defendant, who must prove “any
10 substantial burden” on the “exercise of [the plaintiff’s] religious beliefs is both [1] ‘in
11 furtherance of a compelling governmental interest’ and [2] the ‘least restrictive means of
12 furthering that compelling governmental interest.’” Warsoldier, 418 F.3d at 995 (quoting 42
13 U.S.C. § 2000cc-1(a)). In this way, RLUIPA offers greater protection than the First Amendment,
14 as defendants, not plaintiffs, are required to show the substantial burden furthered a government
15 interest and was the least restrictive means of furthering that interest. Id.; see also Overton v.
16 Bazzetta, 539 U.S. 126, 132 (2003) (for claims brought under the First Amendment, the burden
17 “is not on the State to prove the validity of prison regulations but on the prisoner to disprove
18 it.”). Even with these greater protections, the Supreme Court has not read RLUIPA as elevating
19 the “accommodation of religious observances over an institution’s need to maintain order and
20 safety.” Cutter v. Wilkinson, 544 U.S. 709, 722 (2005). Safety and security remain compelling
21 government interests, and courts owe deference to “institutional officials’ expertise in this area.”
22 Id. at 725 n.13.
23
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1 Here, Defendant again argues Plaintiff has failed to establish that the free exercise of his
2 religious beliefs was substantially burdened by the delay in receiving his Kufi. See Dkt. 26 at 16.
3 However, as the Court has found a substantial burden above, the Court will now turn to whether
4 Defendant has proven that the substantial burden is in furtherance of a compelling government
5 interest and the least restrictive means of furthering that interest.
6 Defendant does argue that because Defendant’s actions were supported by a compelling
7 government interest with no lesser restrictive alternatives, Plaintiff’s RLUIPA claim should be
8 dismissed. Dkt. 26 at 16. In support, Defendant asserts that maintaining order and safety are the
9 compelling governmental interests in this case. Id. Plaintiff has not come forward with any
10 evidence to refute Defendant’s contention here. Rather, he seemingly relies on Defendant’s
11 eventual acknowledgment that a Kufi does not require a religious items box as evidence that the
12 delay in issuing the Kufi served no “legitimate penological interest.” Dkt. 38 at 8.
13 While RLUIPA requires that an entity refusing, or in this case delaying, an accommodation
14 demonstrate its policy is the least restrictive means of furthering its alleged compelling interests,
15 prison officials are not required to refute every conceivable option to satisfy the least restrictive
16 means requirement, nor are they required to prove that they considered less restrictive alternatives
17 at a particular point in time, they need only refute alternatives offered by the prisoner. Holt v.
18 Hobbs, 574 U.S. 352, 371–72 (2015) (Sotomayor, J., concurring) (citing United States v. Wilgus,
19 638 F.3d 1274, 1289 (10th Cir. 2011)). The record demonstrates that Plaintiff was advised of the
20 available alternative to obtaining his Kufi by ordering a religious items box. See Dkt. 28 ¶ 13; Dkt.
21 28-1 at 39. Plaintiff then sent Defendant a number of messages in response, ranging from
22 questioning the need for a religious items box, accusing Defendant of not attending to his spiritual
23 needs, and eventually informing Defendant that he did in fact have a religious items box. See Dkt.
24
1 28 ¶ 14; Dkt. 28-1 at 39. Plaintiff then inquired with the Commissary as to the order number and
2 date for his purchase of a religious items box. Dkt. 28-1 at 40. However, when he later arrived for a
3 scheduled meeting with Defendant to presumably present the religious items box and process his
4 request for the Kufi, Plaintiff did not have the box and so did not receive the Kufi. Dkt. 28 ¶¶ 14–
5 15.
6 On the following day, Plaintiff sent Defendant a message asking to be added to open chapel
7 religious programs, without mentioning the Kufi. Dkt. 28-1 at 42. Without a sufficient response
8 from Plaintiff on this issue, by virtue of Plaintiff’s subsequent request to be added to the open
9 chapel religious programs, the Court is left to assume that Plaintiff deemed that potential
10 alternative acceptable. Under RLUIPA, it was incumbent upon Plaintiff to offer alternatives that he
11 did in fact deem acceptable. Plaintiff failed to do so here. As a result, the Court is satisfied that
12 Defendant considered the most obvious least restrictive means for Plaintiff to practice his religion.
13 Defendant was not required to do more in the absence of any additional input from Plaintiff on
14 alternatives.
15 Because Defendant has satisfied his burden of showing, under RLUIPA, that Defendant’s
16 actions with respect to DOC policies on personal property and religious items further a compelling
17 governmental interest with no lesser restrictive means, the Court recommends GRANTING
18 Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Dkt. 26) and DENYING Plaintiff’s Motion for
19 Summary Judgment (Dkt. 25) with respect to Plaintiff’s RLUIPA claim.
20 B. Retaliation
21 Plaintiff also claims that Defendant retaliated against him for asserting his rights with
22 respect to the withholding of his Kufi. Dkt. 8. In his Motion, Defendant argues that Plaintiff’s
23
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1 conclusory allegations and self-serving statements do not establish retaliation on the part of
2 Defendant. Dkt. 26 at 17–19. The Court agrees.
3 Within the prison context, a viable claim of First Amendment retaliation claim entails
4 five basic elements:
5 (1) An assertion that a state actor took some adverse action against an inmate (2)
because of (3) that prisoner’s protected conduct, and that such action (4) chilled the
6 inmate’s exercise of his First Amendment rights, and (5) the action did not
reasonably advance a legitimate correctional goal.
7
Rhodes v. Robinson, 408 F.3d 559, 567–68 (9th Cir. 2005). Further, challenges to institutional
8
restrictions that are asserted to inhibit First Amendment interests must also be analyzed in terms
9
of the legitimate policies and goals of the corrections system. Pell v. Procunier, 417 U.S. 817
10
(1974).
11
Here, Plaintiff has a clearly established right to be free of retaliation for exercising his
12
First Amendment rights. See Soranno’s Gasco, Inc. v. Morgan, 874 F.2d 1310, 1314 (9th Cir.
13
1989). However, as explained below, the evidence before the Court does not support Plaintiff’s
14
claim that Defendant retaliated against him because he was exercising his First Amendment
15
rights.
16
In order to prevail on a First Amendment retaliation claim, a plaintiff must initially show
17
the protected conduct was a substantial or motivating factor in the defendant’s decision. Id.
18
(citing Mt. Healthy City Sch. Dist. Bd. of Educ. v. Doyle, 429 U.S. 274, 287 (1977)). If the
19
plaintiff makes this initial showing, the burden shifts to the defendant to establish that it would
20
have reached the same decision even in the absence of the protected conduct. Id. To meet this
21
burden, a defendant must show by a preponderance of the evidence that it would have reached
22
the same decision; it is insufficient to show merely that it could have reached the same decision.
23
Id. at 1315.
24
1 The free exercise of one’s religious beliefs is protected conduct, yet there is no evidence
2 that Defendant took any adverse action against Plaintiff or that such action chilled Plaintiff’s
3 activities. Plaintiff’s claim that Defendant retaliated against Plaintiff because of his religious
4 beliefs by delaying the issuance of Plaintiff’s Kufi is not supported. Dkt. 8. Defendant has
5 established that, at the time Plaintiff requested his Kufi in late May and early June 2021, it was
6 Defendant’s understanding that DOC policy would not allow for the issuance of a Kufi unless
7 the individual had a religious items box. Dkt. 28 ¶ 15. Defendant informed Plaintiff of this
8 understanding when they met on June 9, 2021. Id. However, Defendant subsequently sought
9 clarification from DOC Headquarters on this issue and was informed that a Kufi does not in fact
10 require a religious items box. Id. Thus, only several days later, on June 14, 2021, the SCCC
11 Superintendent sent Plaintiff a message informing him that Defendant would be issuing the Kufi
12 to Plaintiff “sometime this week.” Dkt 28 ¶ 16; Dkt. 28-1 at 47. Three days later, on June 17,
13 2021, Plaintiff was issued the Kufi. Dkt. 28 ¶ 18.
14 The record indicates that Defendant treated Plaintiff’s personal property and religious
15 items based on his misapprehension of DOC policy. Immediately upon recognition of his
16 mistake, Defendant took action to issue the Kufi to Plaintiff in accordance with DOC policy.
17 Plaintiff has submitted no evidence—other than speculative and conclusory assertions—that
18 Defendant was motivated by anything other than applying the DOC’s policies on personal
19 property and religious items. For example, in response to Defendant’s Motion for Summary
20 Judgment, Plaintiff asserts that Defendant made “retaliatory threats and discriminatory remarks,”
21 and Defendant’s “delay was deliberate, not incidental, and his refusal to seek clarification until
22 after [Plaintiff] escalated the issue reveals intent to obstruct [Plaintiff’s] rights.” Dkt. 38 at 9–10.
23
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1 However, Plaintiff has submitted no evidence in support of such statements and
2 allegations. As such, Plaintiff has not shown that Defendant took some adverse action against
3 Plaintiff based on Plaintiff’s exercise of his First Amendment rights. Further, Plaintiff has not
4 alleged facts showing his speech was chilled by any alleged action taken by Defendant. And
5 finally, Plaintiff has not proven that Defendant’s conduct was anything other action taken in
6 accordance with DOC policy that advances legitimate penological interests. Therefore, Plaintiff
7 has failed to assert a claim of retaliation against Defendant.
8 Moreover, to the extent that Plaintiff claims that Defendant’s treatment of his grievances
9 through the Kiosk messages constitutes retaliation for filing them in the first place, this claim
10 fails. The filing of prison grievances is protected conduct but, like above, there is no evidence
11 that Defendant took any adverse action against Plaintiff or that such action chilled Plaintiff’s
12 activities.
13 In sum, Plaintiff’s retaliation claim is conclusory and not supported by any evidence in
14 the record. Thus, the Court recommends Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Dkt. 26)
15 as to this claim be GRANTED and that Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Dkt. 25) be
16 DENIED.
17 C. Qualified Immunity
18 Defendant asserts qualified immunity for all claims for damages in this matter. Dkt. 26.
19 Although the Court finds above that Plaintiff has failed to establish violations of the First
20 Amendment and RLUIPA, because the Court determined that the delay in receiving his Kufi did
21 substantially burden the practice of Plaintiff’s religion, the Court will nevertheless address
22 qualified immunity. Upon review, the Court finds that Defendant is entitled to qualified
23 immunity.
24
1 Under the qualified immunity doctrine, “government officials performing discretionary
2 functions generally are shielded from liability for civil damages insofar as their conduct does not
3 violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would
4 have known.” Harlow v. Fitzgerald, 457 U.S. 800, 818 (1982). A two-part test resolves claims of
5 qualified immunity by determining whether a plaintiff has alleged facts that “make out a
6 violation of a constitutional right,” and if so, whether the “right at issue was ‘clearly established’
7 at the time of defendant’s alleged misconduct.” Pearson v. Callahan, 555 U.S. 223, 232 (2009).
8 The Court may address the parts in either order. Id. at 236.
9 Further, qualified immunity protects officials “who act in ways they reasonably believe to
10 be lawful.” Garcia v. County of Merced, 639 F.3d 1206, 1208 (9th Cir. 2011). “The
11 reasonableness inquiry is objective, evaluating ‘whether the officers’ actions are “objectively
12 reasonable” in light of the facts and circumstances confronting them, without regard to their
13 underlying intent or motivation.’” Huff v. City of Burbank, 632 F.3d 539, 549 (9th Cir.
14 2011) (quoting Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386, 397 (1989)). Even if the officer’s decision is
15 constitutionally deficient, qualified immunity shields him from suit if his misapprehension about
16 the law applicable to the circumstances was objectively reasonable. See Brosseau v. Haugen, 543
17 U.S. 194, 198 (2004). To that end, the purpose of qualified immunity is “to recognize that
18 holding officials liable for reasonable mistakes might unnecessarily paralyze their ability to make
19 difficult decisions in challenging situations, thus disrupting the effective performance of their
20 public duties.” Mueller v. Auker, 576 F.3d 979, 993 (9th Cir. 2009).
21 The salient question is whether the state of the law at the time gives officials “fair
22 warning” that the conduct was unconstitutional. Hope v. Pelzer, 536 U.S. 730, 740 (2002).
23
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1 Qualified immunity “gives ample room for mistaken judgments” and protects “all but the plainly
2 incompetent.” Hunter v. Bryant, 502 U.S. 224 (1991).
3 Here, there is no question that the First Amendment guaranteeing prisoners the right to
4 free exercise of their religion is clearly established. Cruz v. Beto, 405 U.S. 319, 323 (1972).
5 However, the United States Supreme Court has made clear that the test of “clearly established
6 law” is not to be applied at this level of generality for the purpose of a qualified immunity
7 analysis. Rather, the inquiry whether a right was clearly established “must be undertaken in light
8 of the specific context of the case, not as a broad general proposition.” Saucier, 533 U.S. at 201.
9 In order for a right to be clearly established, “[t]he contours of the right” must be sufficiently
10 clear that a reasonable official would understand that his conduct violates that right. Anderson v.
11 Creighton, 483 U.S. 635, 640 (1987).
12 The Court has already addressed the first element of qualified immunity analysis: because
13 the delay in issuing Plaintiff’s Kufi imposed a substantial burden on his religious exercise,
14 Plaintiff’s rights under the First Amendment and RLUIPA would have been violated on the facts
15 alleged with respect to substantial burden. The next issue is whether it would have been clear to a
16 reasonable official that the delay was unlawful in the situation he confronted.
17 The Court concludes Defendant is entitled to qualified immunity. The record shows that
18 Defendant believed he was following DOC policy with respect to Plaintiff’s Kufi. When Plaintiff
19 arrived at SCCC, the property unit there confiscated his Kufi. Dkt. 28 ¶ 6. Through Kiosk
20 messages, Plaintiff made Defendant aware that the property unit had his Kufi “but they refusing
21 to give to you whereas anything religious related is not their concern.” Dkt. 28 ¶ 12; Dkt. 28-1 at
22 37. Defendant’s response to this message shows that Defendant believed Plaintiff’s Kufi was a
23 religious item requiring a religious items box. Dkt. 28 ¶ 13l Dkt. 28-1 at 38 (“So in order to have
24
1 religious items you need a religious items box first. You do not have one on your matrix, in order
2 for me to get your Kufi to issue to you, you will need to order a religious items box off of store.
3 Let property know when you get one and then they can give me your Kufi.”). As such, pursuant
4 to DOC policies on personal property and religious items, Defendant informed Plaintiff that
5 religious items must be stored in an approved religious items box. See Dkt. 28 ¶ 13; Dkt. 28-1 at
6 39 (“DOC Policy 560.200 requires you to have a religious items box to store religious items in.
7 If you have the box with a receipt just provide it to Property if you do not order one. It’s that
8 simple.”).
9 Evidence shows that Defendant believed he was following DOC policy, and it was only
10 after consulting with DOC Headquarters that he understood a Kufi does not require a religious
11 items box. Dkt. 28 ¶ 15. It is important to note that Defendant’s mistaken belief was temporary.
12 Immediately after Defendant received clarification, and the SCCC Superintendent informed
13 Plaintiff that Defendant would be issuing the Kufi that week, Plaintiff was issued his Kufi three
14 days later. Dkt. 28 ¶ 16; Dkt. 28-1 at 46; Dkt. 28 ¶ 18.
15 Later, when Plaintiff filed a grievance through the DOC’s Resolution Program, it was
16 determined that Defendant’s actions were in accordance with DOC policies, that he got
17 clarification as to possession of religious headwear, and that his actions were without malice.
18 Dkt. 27-1 at 9–15. In light of these facts, it cannot be said that Defendant’s actions were intended
19 to cause a constitutional violation. And, even though Defendant’s misunderstanding of the DOC
20 policies applicable to these circumstances caused the delay, Defendant’s reliance upon DOC
21 policies was nonetheless objectively reasonable. See Brousseau, 543 U.S. at 198. Defendant had
22 no reason to believe that the DOC policies, which at all times preserved Plaintiff’s right to
23 possess personal property and religious items and to practice his religion, were unconstitutional.
24
1 To be clear, the DOC policies are not obviously unconstitutional, and there is no evidence
2 demonstrating Defendant’s misapprehension of the policies was unreasonable or
3 unconstitutional. Thus, Defendant is entitled to qualified immunity for all claims for damages.
4 D. Plaintiff is Not Entitled to Damages
5 1. Claims for Damages Against Defendant in His Official Capacity
6 When a claim is brought against a state employee in their official capacity, the real party
7 in interest for that claim is the government entity for which they work, not the individual
8 named. In other words, “a suit against a state official in his official capacity is no different from a
9 suit against the State itself.” Doe v. Lawrence Livermore Nat. Lab., 131 F.3d 836, 839 (9th Cir.
10 1997) (citing Will v. Mich. Dep’t of State Police, 491 U.S. 58, 71 (1989)). However, States are
11 not “persons” that can be sued under § 1983. Doe, 131 F.3d at 839. As a result, a plaintiff
12 generally cannot sue state employees in their official capacity under § 1983.
13 Further, RLUIPA permits injunctive relief but does not allow for recovery of monetary
14 damages against state officials in their official capacity. See Sossamon v. Texas, 563 U.S. 277,
15 288 (2011) (RLUIPA does not provide for claim for monetary damages against the state or state
16 officials sued in their official capacity); Holley v. Cal. Dep’t of Corr., 599 F.3d 1108, 1114 (9th
17 Cir. 2010) (“The Eleventh Amendment bars [the plaintiff’s] suit for official-capacity damages
18 under RLUIPA.”).
19 Here, in his Complaint, Plaintiff seeks monetary damages for his claims against
20 Defendant in his individual and official capacity. See Dkt. 8 at 7. Plaintiff cannot recover such
21 damages from Defendant in his official capacity because Defendant is a state employee. Thus,
22 Plaintiff’s claims for damages against Defendant in his official capacity must be dismissed.
23 Accordingly, the Court recommends Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Dkt. 26) be
24
1 GRANTED with respect to Plaintiff’s official-capacity claims, and that Plaintiff’s Motion for
2 Summary Judgment (Dkt. 25) be DENIED.
3 2. Claims for Damages under RLUIPA Against Defendant in His Individual
Capacity
4
Defendant also argues RLUIPA does not provide a cause of action for damages against
5
state officials in their individual capacities. Dkt. 26 at 17. The Court agrees.
6
Even if Plaintiff made the requisite showing of a substantial burden for his RLUIPA
7
claim, Defendant sued in his individual capacity is entitled to summary judgment for a different
8
reason: only federal funding recipients may be held liable for damages under RLUIPA. The
9
Ninth Circuit recently confirmed that an entire category of defendants may not be sued for
10
damages under RLUIPA, specifically individual state and local officials. See Fuqua v. Raak, 120
11
F.4th 1346, 1359 (9th Cir. 2024) (citing Wood v. Yordy, 753 F.3d 899, 904 (9th Cir. 2014))
12
(“[O]ur decision in Wood rested squarely, at least in part, on the constitutional holding that the
13
Spending Clause does not allow Congress to impose individual damages liability on state or local
14
officials who are not themselves the recipients of federal funds.”).
15
For this additional reason, the Court concludes Defendant sued in his individual capacity
16
under RLUIPA is entitled to summary judgment. Accordingly, the Court recommends
17
Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Dkt. 26) be GRANTED with respect to Plaintiff’s
18
claims for damages under RLUIPA and against Defendant individually, and Plaintiff’s Motion
19
for Summary Judgment (Dkt. 25) be DENIED.
20
V. CONCLUSION
21
Based on the foregoing discussion, Plaintiff has failed to establish that his right to free
22
exercise of religion was violated under the First Amendment and RLUIPA, or that he was
23
retaliated against in violation of the First Amendment. The Court also concludes that Defendant
24
1 is entitled to qualified immunity against all of Plaintiff’s claims. Also, Plaintiff is not entitled to
2 damages against Defendant in his official capacity, or under RLUIPA against Defendant
3 individually. Accordingly, the Court recommends that Defendant’s Motion for Summary
4 Judgment (Dkt. 26) be GRANTED and Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Dkt. 25) be
5 DENIED.
6 Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) and Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 72(b), the parties
7 shall have fourteen (14) days from service of this report to file written objections. See also Fed.
8 R. Civ. P. 6. Failure to file objections will result in a waiver of those objections for purposes of
9 de novo review by the district judge, see 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C), and can result in a waiver of
10 those objections for purposes of appeal. See Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140, 142 (1985); Miranda
11 v. Anchondo, 684 F.3d 844, 848 (9th Cir. 2012) (citations omitted). Accommodating the time
12 limit imposed by Rule 72(b), the Clerk is directed to set the matter for consideration on March
13 18, 2025, as noted in the caption.
14 Dated this 4th day of March, 2025.
15
A
16
17 Grady J. Leupold
United States Magistrate Judge
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