Case: Smith v. Maschner

3:84-cv-03283 | U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas

Filed Date: Dec. 13, 1984

Closed Date: Sept. 5, 1996

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

Inmates at "A" cellhouse at the Kansas State Penitentiary filed a civil rights lawsuit in state court against officials at the Kansas State penitentiary, complaining of a denial of adequate access to the prison law library. The parties entered into a consent decree on August 19, 1985, granting the plaintiffs more access to the law library and supplementing the materials of the law library. The trial court's order specifically allowed the plaintiff inmates to use the prison law library on Saturd…

Inmates at "A" cellhouse at the Kansas State Penitentiary filed a civil rights lawsuit in state court against officials at the Kansas State penitentiary, complaining of a denial of adequate access to the prison law library. The parties entered into a consent decree on August 19, 1985, granting the plaintiffs more access to the law library and supplementing the materials of the law library. The trial court's order specifically allowed the plaintiff inmates to use the prison law library on Saturday mornings and gaining access to hardbound volumes of federal cases.

On November 21, 1985, the plaintiff inmates filed a motion to reopen the case, citing various allegations against the State concerning access to legal materials. The parties agreed on all disputed issues except which inmates should be allowed to use the law library on Saturday mornings. The trial court (Judge Maurice P. O'Keefe, Jr.) issued a ruling on March 25, 1986, holding that Saturday morning library privileges were reserved for general population inmates, and since the inmates in cellhouse "A" were part of the general population, they were entitled to use the library on Saturday mornings, but only for one hour (with "working inmates" being granted two hours).

The defendants appealed, and the Kansas Court of Appeals reversed and remanded, holding that the consent decree was in effect a contract, and the decree contained no provisions about Saturday morning library privileges. Petition for review by the Kansas Supreme Court was denied on December 19, 1986.

The inmates then sought to have the entire consent decree set aside based on fraud, and Judge O'Keefe denied this motion, holding that there was no evidence of fraud. Judge O'Keefe also found that the consent decree was ambiguous on the question of Saturday morning access to libraries and what volumes of the federal series were to be hardbound. Based on these findings, the trial court ordered on April 23, 1987, that the cellhouse "A" inmates to have Saturday privileges and the federal series was to be kept in hardbound volumes.

On appeal, the Kansas Court of Appeals on August 19, 1988, again reversed, holding that its previous decision made clear that the questions of Saturday morning library privileges and hardbound federal volumes were at the discretion of the prison officials, according to the consent decree. Smith v. Maschner, 760 P.2d 49 (Kan. Ct. App. 1988) (per curiam).

All of the information we have on the state court portion of the case comes from the August 19, 1988 Court of Appeals opinion.

In 1984, the case was removed to the District Court for the District of Kansas. Amended complaints were filed in April 1985 and August 1986. On Sept. 30, 1988, the court (Judge Dale E. Saffels) denied plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment. An appeal was taken. On March 29, 1990, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals (Judge Seymour) affirmed in part and reversed in part. Smith v. Maschner, 899 F.2d 940 (10th Cir. 1990). The court held that: (1) the inmate had adequate state postdeprivation remedies for his claims that he was deprived of property without due process; (2) the prison regulation of incoming correspondence did not violate any protected rights; (3) the inmate received adequate notice of charges, opportunity to respond, and written findings; (4) factual issues existed on the inmate's claim that he was deprived of procedural due process by virtue of the denial of a request to call a witness; and (5) factual issues existed on the inmate's claim that officials retaliated against him for exercising his right of access to court. The case was remanded back to the District Court.

In 1991, the case was referred to Magistrate Judge John C. Tillotson. In 1994 the court appointed counsel for the plaintiff. On Jan. 11, 1996, the court (Judge Dale E. Saffels) denied motions by both parties for summary judgment. A stipulation of dismissal was filed on August 23, 1996 and was entered by the court (Judge Saffels) on September 5, dismissing the case wtih prejudice.

Summary Authors

David Terry (10/7/2006)

People


Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

3:84-cv-03283

Docket (PACER)

July 21, 2000

July 21, 2000

Docket

00060

00804

Memorandum Opinion

Kansas state appellate court

Aug. 19, 1988

Aug. 19, 1988

Order/Opinion

760 P.2d 49

3:84-cv-03283

Memorandum and Order

Sept. 30, 1988

Sept. 30, 1988

Order/Opinion

1988 U.S.Dist.LEXIS 11238

88-02687

Opinion

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

March 29, 1990

March 29, 1990

Order/Opinion

899 F.2d 940

108

3:84-cv-03283

Memorandum and Order

Jan. 11, 1996

Jan. 11, 1996

Order/Opinion

915 F.Supp. 263

Docket

Last updated March 23, 2025, 9:20 a.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Dec. 13, 1984

PETITION for removal by plaintiff (DO) (Entered: 04/03/1991)

PACER
2 April 19, 1985

AMENDED COMPLAINT by plaintiff (DO) (Entered: 04/03/1991)

PACER
41 April 2, 1986

PRE-TRIAL ORDER ENTERED by Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels (cc: all counsel) (DO) (Entered: 04/03/1991)

PACER
54 Aug. 4, 1986

AMENDED COMPLAINT [2-1] by plaintiff (DO) (Entered: 04/03/1991)

PACER
68 Sept. 30, 1988

ORDER ENTERED: by Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels Pltf's motion for summary judgment is denied; defts' motion for summary judgment is granted; dismissing case (cc: all counsel) (DO) (Entered: 04/03/1991)

PACER
70 Oct. 27, 1988

NOTICE OF APPEAL by plaintiff from Dist. Court decision re: re: [68- 2] (cc: all counsel, 10CCA) (DO) (Entered: 04/03/1991)

PACER
77 April 2, 1990

MANDATE, 10CCA: Judgment is affirmed in part and reversed in part. The cause is remanded to the U.S. District Court for the District of KS for further proceedings in accordance with the opinion of this court. (cc: all counsel) (DO) (Entered: 04/03/1991)

PACER
87 Feb. 4, 1991

LETTER to court from plaintiff (DO) (Entered: 04/03/1991)

PACER
88 June 18, 1991

NOTICE of jury trial-Entered-Clerk: Jury trial set 10/28/91 @ 10:00 a.m. before The Hon. Dale E. Saffels, Sr. District Judge (cc: all counsel) (CAM) Modified on 07/01/1991 (Entered: 06/19/1991)

PACER
89 June 28, 1991

MAIL Returned re: hearing notice [88-2] addressed to Jerry Wayne Smith (CAM) (Entered: 07/01/1991)

PACER
July 1, 1991

Letter remailed to Jerry Wayne Smith 7/1/91 (CAM) (Entered: 07/01/1991)

PACER
91 Sept. 16, 1991

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for defendant by Jon P. Fleenor and NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL by Martha M. Snyder (DO) (Entered: 09/18/1991)

PACER
92 Oct. 9, 1991

ORDER ENTERED: by Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels. Court finds good cause for a pretrial conference & accordingly will refer this matter to the U.S. Magistrate Judge sitting in Leavenworth, KS, to conduct a telephonic pretrial within 60 days. Jury trial scheduled for 10/28/91 continued until further notice (cc: pltf; Atty Gen) (CAM) (Entered: 10/09/1991)

PACER
93 Nov. 22, 1991

ORDER ENTERED: by Magistrate Judge John C. Tillotson: Telephonic Pretrial conference set 12/11/91 @ 2:30 p.m. Further Ordered that 5 days before pretrial pltf shall file narrative written statement of facts to be offered by oral or documentary evidence at trial, file a list of all exhibits to be offered in evidence at the trial, file a list of names & addresses of all witnesses pltf intends to call, file a summary of anticipated testimony of any witnesses who are presently incarcerated & provide Magistrate w/telephone number where he can be reached at time of pretrial conference. Further ordered that counsel for defts shall be prepared to state at time of pretrial, the facts to be offered into evidence at trial & to list all of the names of witnesses defts intend to call. Further Ordered that on or before pretrial defts shall prepare & file any motion alleged by them to be dispository of the case or any issues herein, together w/supporting affidavits & authorities (cc: pltf; Atty Gen) (CAM) (Entered: 11/22/1991)

PACER
94 Dec. 26, 1991

MOTION by defendant to extend time to file dispositive motions referred to Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels (CAM) (Entered: 12/26/1991)

PACER
95 Dec. 31, 1991

ORDER ENTERED: by Magistrate Judge John C. Tillotson granting defts' motion to extend time to 1/31/92 to file dispositive motions [94-1] (cc: pltf; Atty Gen) (CAM) (Entered: 12/31/1991)

PACER
96 Jan. 6, 1992

OBJECTIONS by plaintiff re: motion to extend time to file dispositive motions referred to Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels [94-1] (CAM) (Entered: 01/06/1992)

PACER
97 Jan. 31, 1992

MOTION by defendant to extend time to file dispositive motions referred to Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels (CAM) (Entered: 02/04/1992)

PACER
98 Feb. 4, 1992

ORDER ENTERED: by Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels granting defts' motion to extend time to 2/14/92 to file dispositive motions referred to Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels [97-1] (cc: pltf; Atty Gen ) (CAM) (Entered: 02/04/1992)

PACER
99 Feb. 4, 1992

PRE-TRIAL ORDER ENTERED by Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels: Terminating case referral of Magistrate Judge John C. Tillotson; Discovery complete; Parties shall have until 1/1/92 to renew any applicable grounds for relief by motion for summary judgment; jury trial at Topeka, KS; Ready for trial after 1/1/92 & disposition of any pending motions; ETT: 4 to 5 days days; Prospects for settlement are nil. (cc: pltf; Atty Gen) (CAM) (Entered: 02/04/1992)

PACER
100 Feb. 14, 1992

MOTION by defendants for summary judgment referred to Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels (CAM) (Entered: 02/18/1992)

PACER
101 Feb. 14, 1992

MEMORANDUM in support by defendants re: motion for summary judgment referred to Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels [100-1] (CAM) (Entered: 02/18/1992)

PACER
102 June 3, 1992

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for defendant by Kristy L. Hiebert & notice of withdrawal of Jon P. Fleenor (ICMSUSER) (Entered: 06/04/1992)

PACER
103 Feb. 16, 1994

ORDER ENTERED: by Senior Judge Richard D. Rogers re [100-1] Pltf ordered to respond to defts' motion for summary judgment & supporting documents within 20 days from date of this order. Failure to respond as ordered may result in entry of summary judgment against pltf (cc: all counsel) (CAM) (Entered: 02/16/1994)

PACER
104 March 11, 1994

ORDER ENTERED: by Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels appointing Stephen W. Kessler as counsel for pltf (cc: all counsel) (LAK) (Entered: 03/11/1994)

PACER
105 March 16, 1994

MOTION by plaintiff to extend time to respond to defts' motion for summary judgment; referred to Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels (LAK) (Entered: 03/16/1994)

PACER
106 March 17, 1994

ORDER ENTERED: by Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels granting motion to extend time until 4/15/94 to respond to defts' motion for summary judgment [105-1] (cc: all counsel) (CAM) Modified on 04/19/1995 (Entered: 03/17/1994)

PACER
107 April 11, 1994

RESPONSE by plaintiff to defts' motion for summary judgment; referred to Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels [100-1] (LAK) (Entered: 04/11/1994)

PACER
107 April 11, 1994

CROSS MOTION by plaintiff for summary judgment; referred to Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels (LAK) (Entered: 04/11/1994)

PACER
Jan. 9, 1996

NOTICE of change of address by plaintiff Jerry Wayne Smith: PO Box 1000, Oxford, WI 53952-1000 (LAK) (Entered: 01/09/1996)

PACER
108 Jan. 11, 1996

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER: by Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels denying motion by defts for summary judgment [100-1]; denying cross- motion by pltf for summary judgment [107-1] Jury trial set for 3/18/96 at 1:30 pm. 18 pages (cc: all counsel) (LAK) (Entered: 01/11/1996)

PACER
109 Feb. 23, 1996

MOTION by plaintiff for order to issue subpoenas; referred to Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels (LAK) Modified on 03/15/1996 (Entered: 02/23/1996)

PACER
110 Feb. 23, 1996

MOTION by plaintiff for writ of habeas corpus ad testificandum; referred to Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels (LAK) (Entered: 02/23/1996)

PACER
111 Feb. 23, 1996

MOTION by plaintiff for appointment of expert; referred to Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels (LAK) (Entered: 02/23/1996)

PACER
112 Feb. 28, 1996

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for defendant by Lawrence J. Logback (CAM) (Entered: 02/29/1996)

PACER
113 Feb. 28, 1996

MOTION by defendants to dismiss referred to Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels (CAM) (Entered: 02/29/1996)

PACER
114 Feb. 28, 1996

MEMORANDUM in support re: motion by defendants to dismiss referred to Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels [113-1] (CAM) (Entered: 02/29/1996)

PACER
115 Feb. 28, 1996

OBJECTIONS by defendant re: [111-1] motion by plaintiff for appointment of expert; referred to Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels (CAM) (Entered: 02/29/1996)

PACER
116 Feb. 28, 1996

OBJECTIONS by defendant re: [109-1] motion by plaintiff for order to issue subpoenas; referred to Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels (CAM) (Entered: 02/29/1996)

PACER
117 Feb. 28, 1996

RESPONSE by defendant to motion by plaintiff for writ of habeas corpus ad testificandum; referred to Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels [110-1] (CAM) (Entered: 02/29/1996)

PACER
118 March 6, 1996

ORDER ENTERED: by Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels granting motion by plaintiff for writ of habeas corpus ad testificandum [110-1] for Jerry Wayne Smith for appearance on 3/18/96 at 1:30 pm before Senior Judge Saffels (cc: all counsel; USPO; USM) (LAK) (Entered: 03/06/1996)

PACER
119 March 6, 1996

NOTICE of hearing: motions hearing set for 3/18/96 at 1:30 pm before Senior Judge Saffels for Herb Maschner (cc: all counsel; USPO) (LAK) (Entered: 03/06/1996)

PACER
March 6, 1996

WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS AD TESTIFICANDUM issued to USM for Jerry Wayne Smith for appearance before Senior Judge Saffels on 3/18/96 at 1:30 pm (LAK) (Entered: 03/06/1996)

PACER
120 March 7, 1996

ORDER ENTERED: by Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels re pltf's motions for order to issue subpoenas [109-1]; motion for writ of habeas corpus ad testificandum [110-1]; motion for appointment of expert [111-1]. Denying motion of defendants to dismiss [113-1]. Jury trial continued to 4/18/96 at 9:00 am. Hearing on pending motions & other pretrial matters set for 3/18/96 at 1:30 pm (cc: all counsel) (LAK) Modified on 03/15/1996 (Entered: 03/07/1996)

PACER
121 March 14, 1996

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for defendant by John R. Dowell (MB) Modified on 03/15/1996 (Entered: 03/14/1996)

PACER
125 March 18, 1996

MINUTE SHEET of status hearing at Topeka, KS before Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels: Counsel directed to attempt to reach agreement without court intervention re pending motions (LAK) (Entered: 03/25/1996)

PACER
123 March 22, 1996

CERITIFICATE of svc of affidavit by plaintiff to deft on 3/22/96 (MB) Modified on 03/22/1996 (Entered: 03/22/1996)

PACER
124 March 22, 1996

ORDER ENTERED: by Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels denying motion by plaintiff for appointment of expert, [111-1]; denying motion by plaintiff for order to issue subpoenas, [109-1]; and granting motion by plaintiff for writ of habeas corpus ad testificandum to the extent stated in the order, [110-1] (cc: all counsel) (MS) (Entered: 03/22/1996)

PACER
126 March 26, 1996

NOTICE of hearing: Jury trial set for 4/29/96 at 10:00 am before Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels (cc: all counsel; USPM) (LAK) (Entered: 03/26/1996)

PACER
127 March 26, 1996

ORDER FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS AD TESTIFICANDUM ENTERED: by Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels for Jerry Wayne Smith for appearance 4/29/96 at 10:00 am (cc: all counsel; USM) (LAK) (Entered: 03/26/1996)

PACER
128 April 17, 1996

ORDER FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS AD TESTIFICANDUM ENTERED: by Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels for Craig Bryant for production on 4/29/96 at 10:00 am (cc: all counsel; USM) (LAK) (Entered: 04/17/1996)

PACER
April 17, 1996

WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS AD TESTIFICANDUM issued to USM for Craig Bryant on 4/29/96 at 10:00 am before Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels (LAK) (Entered: 04/17/1996)

PACER
129 April 22, 1996

WITNESS & EXHIBIT LIST submitted by defendants (LAK) (Entered: 04/22/1996)

PACER
130 April 25, 1996

OBJECTIONS by defendant to pltf's proposed exhibits (MB) (Entered: 04/25/1996)

PACER
131 April 25, 1996

ORDER ENTERED: by Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels. Writ of habeas corpus ad testificandum issued by the court for pltf Jerry Wyane Smith is cancelled & USM directed to return pltf to FCI Oxford, WI to continue serving sentence (cc: all counsel; USM) (LAK) (Entered: 04/25/1996)

PACER
132 Aug. 23, 1996

STIPULATION OF DISMISSAL by parties (MS) (Entered: 08/26/1996)

PACER
133 Sept. 5, 1996

ORDER ENTERED: by Senior Judge Dale E. Saffels regarding stipulation [132-1] - this action is dismissed with prejudice (cc: all counsel) (MS) (Entered: 09/05/1996)

PACER
134 July 21, 2000

ORDER ENTERED by Judge G. T. VanBebber: all monies now in the registry and restitution deposit funds of the Court and on deposit for at least five years unclaimed by persons shall be transferred to the Treasury of the US (cc: all counsel) (DAW) (Entered: 07/25/2000)

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory:

Kansas

Case Type(s):

Prison Conditions

Key Dates

Filing Date: Dec. 13, 1984

Closing Date: Sept. 5, 1996

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Inmate claiming that he was deprived of property without due process, that prison officials interfered with his mail, that he was denied procedural due process in disciplinary hearings, and that officials retaliated against him

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: Yes

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

State

Kansas State Penitentiary

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

State law

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Due Process: Procedural Due Process

Other Dockets:

District of Kansas 3:84-cv-03283

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit 88-02687

Kansas state appellate court 60

Kansas state appellate court 804

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Unknown

Relief Granted:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Issues

Affected Sex/Gender(s):

Male

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Law library access

Recommended Citation