Case: Woods v. Edwards

3:93-cv-00744 | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana

Filed Date: Aug. 26, 1993

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On August 26, 1993, Claude Woods, an inmate in the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, filed suit as a pro se plaintiff under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 alleging that his status at the prison in "extended lockdown," a form of disciplinary isolation, was motivated by racial animus or was in retaliation for filing lawsuits. Woods also contended that his continued confinement was wrongful, that some conditions of his confinement were unconstitutional, and that his due process rights were violated. A pri…

On August 26, 1993, Claude Woods, an inmate in the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, filed suit as a pro se plaintiff under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 alleging that his status at the prison in "extended lockdown," a form of disciplinary isolation, was motivated by racial animus or was in retaliation for filing lawsuits. Woods also contended that his continued confinement was wrongful, that some conditions of his confinement were unconstitutional, and that his due process rights were violated. A prison disciplinary board had determined that Woods had written threatening letters to individuals outside the prison and forged the name of another prisoner as the author. On July 23, 1991, he was placed in extended lockdown for these infractions. Woods's status was reviewed every 90 days in accordance with prison guidelines, and the board continued his confinement in extended lockdown citing the serious nature of his offenses. The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana (Chief Judge John V. Parker) granted defendants' motion for summary judgment and Woods appealed. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the District Court's grant of summary judgment on June 5, 1995. Woods v. Edwards, 51 F.3d 577 (5th Cir. 1995). The court held that the extended lockdown of Woods, a racial minority, for nearly four years while similarly situated white prisoners were released, did not violate his equal protection rights because Woods failed to present evidence of discriminatory intent on the part of the prison officials. The court further found that confinement to an uncomfortably hot cell could not alone support a finding that Woods was subjected to ""cruel and unusual punishment"" in violation of the Eighth Amendment; and Woods had received all of the process to which he was entitled.

The court did note that Woods had been in extended lockdown for almost four years. Therefore, the review board and the magistrate assigned to the case (Magistrate Judge Stephen C. Riedlinger) were instructed to consider the need for continuing to keep Woods in that status.

Summary Authors

Tom Madison (1/16/2006)

People

Judge(s)

Garwood, William Lockhart (Texas)

King, Carolyn Dineen (Texas)

Parker, James Aubrey (New Mexico)

Riedlinger, Stephen C. (Louisiana)

Wisdom, John Minor (Louisiana)

Attorneys(s) for Defendant

Sanders, David Glen (Louisiana)

Judge(s)

Garwood, William Lockhart (Texas)

King, Carolyn Dineen (Texas)

Parker, James Aubrey (New Mexico)

Riedlinger, Stephen C. (Louisiana)

Wisdom, John Minor (Louisiana)

Attorneys(s) for Defendant

Sanders, David Glen (Louisiana)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

3:93-cv-00744

Docket (PACER)

June 5, 1995

June 5, 1995

Docket

94-30433

Reported Opinion

U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

May 10, 1995

May 10, 1995

Order/Opinion

Docket

Last updated June 9, 2023, 3:03 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT (slh) (Entered: 08/26/1993)

Aug. 26, 1993

Aug. 26, 1993

2

MOTION by Claude E. Woods to Proceed in Forma Pauperis (slh) (Entered: 08/26/1993)

Aug. 26, 1993

Aug. 26, 1993

3

MOTION by Claude E. Woods for Temporary Restraining Order , and for Preliminary Injunction (slh) (Entered: 08/26/1993)

Aug. 26, 1993

Aug. 26, 1993

Set magistrate assignment. (slh) (Entered: 08/26/1993)

Aug. 26, 1993

Aug. 26, 1993

CASE REFERRED to Mag. Judge Stephen C. Riedlinger (slh) (Entered: 08/26/1993)

Aug. 26, 1993

Aug. 26, 1993

4

NINETY DAY STAY Order. State of Louisiana to respond by 11/29/93 ( signed by Mag. Judge Stephen C. Riedlinger ), issued notices. (rgm) (Entered: 08/31/1993)

Aug. 31, 1993

Aug. 31, 1993

5

ORDER; clerk to re-allot 93-892-B-MI to Sec A...93-892-A be consolidated w/93-744-A... Consolidating Cases ( signed by Chief Judge John V. Parker ), issued notices. (rgm) (Entered: 11/01/1993)

Oct. 29, 1993

Oct. 29, 1993

Consolidated Lead Case (rgm) (Entered: 11/01/1993)

Oct. 29, 1993

Oct. 29, 1993

6

RECORD of Administrative Proceedings filed by State of Louisiana (rgm) (Entered: 12/03/1993)

Dec. 2, 1993

Dec. 2, 1993

7

ORDER to reinstate, set Cross Motions deadline to 3/3/94 Local Rule 6.02 is WAIVED..Dfts to be served( signed by Mag. Judge Stephen C. Riedlinger ), issued notices. (pah) (Entered: 12/06/1993)

Dec. 3, 1993

Dec. 3, 1993

SUMMONS(ES) issued for Edwin W. Edwards, John P. Whitley, Richard L. Stalder, Andrew J. Dunn, David Meredith, Clovis Tillery, Darryl Vannoy, Johnny Butler . Service deadline set for 12/22/93 . Consent Notices Mailed. (rgm) (Entered: 12/08/1993)

Dec. 8, 1993

Dec. 8, 1993

8

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to John P. Whitley, Richard L. Stalder, Andrew J. Dunn, David Meredith, Clovis Tillery, Darryl Vannoy, Johnny Butler 12/9/93 Answer due on 12/29/93 for Johnny Butler, for Darryl Vannoy, for Clovis Tillery, for David Meredith, for Andrew J. Dunn, for Richard L. Stalder, for John P. Whitley (rgm) (Entered: 12/13/1993)

Dec. 10, 1993

Dec. 10, 1993

9

REQUEST for Production of Documents by Claude E. Woods (rgm) (Entered: 12/17/1993)

Dec. 16, 1993

Dec. 16, 1993

10

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to Edwin W. Edwards 12/13/93 Answer due on 1/3/94 for Edwin W. Edwards (rgm) (Entered: 12/21/1993)

Dec. 20, 1993

Dec. 20, 1993

11

ANSWER to Complaint by Edwin W. Edwards, John P. Whitley, Richard L. Stalder, Andrew J. Dunn, David Meredith, Clovis Tillery, Darryl Vannoy, Johnny Butler (Attorney David Glen Sanders),; jury demand (rgm) (Entered: 01/07/1994)

Jan. 6, 1994

Jan. 6, 1994

12

MOTION by Claude E. Woods to Compel Prod of Doc (rgm) (Entered: 01/27/1994)

Jan. 27, 1994

Jan. 27, 1994

13

NOTICE; Motion Hearing set for 3/4/94 for [12-1] motion to Compel Prod of Doc ( signed by Mag. Judge Stephen C. Riedlinger ), issued notices. (rgm) (Entered: 01/31/1994)

Jan. 31, 1994

Jan. 31, 1994

14

RESPONSE by Edwin W. Edwards, John P. Whitley, Richard L. Stalder, Andrew J. Dunn, David Meredith, Clovis Tillery, Darryl Vannoy, Johnny Butler in opposition to [12-1] motion to Compel Prod of Doc by Claude E. Woods (rgm) (Entered: 02/17/1994)

Feb. 2, 1994

Feb. 2, 1994

15

SUPPLEMENTAL RESPONSE by Edwin W. Edwards, John P. Whitley, Richard L. Stalder, Andrew J. Dunn, David Meredith, Clovis Tillery, Darryl Vannoy, Johnny Butler in opposition to [12-1] motion to Compel Prod of Doc by Claude E. Woods (rgm) (Entered: 02/17/1994)

Feb. 2, 1994

Feb. 2, 1994

16

RULING on Pltf's Mot to Compel; denying [12-1] motion to Compel Prod of Doc ( signed by Mag. Judge Stephen C. Riedlinger ), issued notices. (rgm) Modified on 02/17/1994 (Entered: 02/10/1994)

Feb. 10, 1994

Feb. 10, 1994

17

RESPONSE by defts to Discovery Re: [9-1] produce requested by Claude E. Woods (rgm) (Entered: 02/22/1994)

Feb. 18, 1994

Feb. 18, 1994

18

RESPONSE by defts to Discovery Re: [9-1] produce requested by Claude E. Woods (rgm) (Entered: 02/22/1994)

Feb. 22, 1994

Feb. 22, 1994

19

SECOND REQUEST for Production of Documents by Claude E. Woods (slh) (Entered: 02/25/1994)

Feb. 25, 1994

Feb. 25, 1994

20

MOTION by Edwin W. Edwards, John P. Whitley, Richard L. Stalder, Andrew J. Dunn, David Meredith, Clovis Tillery, Darryl Vannoy, Johnny Butler to Extend Time to File X-Mots (rgm) (Entered: 03/02/1994)

March 2, 1994

March 2, 1994

21

RESPONSE by Defts to Discovery Re: [19-1] produce requested by Claude E. Woods (rgm) (Entered: 03/02/1994)

March 2, 1994

March 2, 1994

22

ORDER granting [20-1] motion to Extend Time to File X-Mots, reset Cross Motion for Summary Judgement due by 4/4/94 ( signed by Mag. Judge Stephen C. Riedlinger ), issued notices. (rgm) (Entered: 03/03/1994)

March 3, 1994

March 3, 1994

23

CROSS MOTION for Summary Judgment by All Defendants (bm) (Entered: 03/10/1994)

March 10, 1994

March 10, 1994

24

MEMORANDUM by All Defendants in support of [23-1] cross motion by All Defendants (bm) (Entered: 03/10/1994)

March 10, 1994

March 10, 1994

25

MOTION by Claude E. Woods to Extend Time to File X-Mot (rgm) (Entered: 03/14/1994)

March 11, 1994

March 11, 1994

26

ORDER granting [25-1] motion to Extend Time to File X-Mot, reset Cross Motion for Summary Judgement due by 4/14/94 ( signed by Mag. Judge Stephen C. Riedlinger ), issued notices. (rgm) (Entered: 03/14/1994)

March 14, 1994

March 14, 1994

27

INTERROGATORIES propounded by Claude E. Woods to All Defendants (rgm) (Entered: 03/16/1994)

March 16, 1994

March 16, 1994

28

REQUEST for Admissions by Claude E. Woods (rgm) (Entered: 03/16/1994)

March 16, 1994

March 16, 1994

29

MOTION by Claude E. Woods for Leave to File Amend Complt (rgm) (Entered: 03/16/1994)

March 16, 1994

March 16, 1994

31

MEMORANDUM by Claude E. Woods in support of [30-1] cross motion by Claude E. Woods (rgm) (Entered: 04/14/1994)

April 14, 1994

April 14, 1994

32

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS of Mag. Judge Stephen C. Riedlinger Re: pltf's mot for s/j should be denied, and defts mot for s/j should be granted; [30-1] cross motion, [23-1] cross motion ; Motion no longer referred Objections to R and R due by 5/9/94 (rgm) (Entered: 04/21/1994)

April 21, 1994

April 21, 1994

33

OBJECTION by Claude E. Woods to [32-1] report and recommendations (qca) (Entered: 04/29/1994)

April 28, 1994

April 28, 1994

34

RULING denying [30-1] cross motion, granting [23-1] cross motion ( signed by Chief Judge John V. Parker ), issued notices. (rgm) (Entered: 06/20/1994)

June 20, 1994

June 20, 1994

35

JUDGMENT for Edwin W. Edwards, John P. Whitley, Richard L. Stalder, Andrew J. Dunn, David Meredith, Clovis Tillery, Darryl Vannoy, Johnny Butler against Claude E. Woods ( signed by Chief Judge John V. Parker ), issued notices. (rgm) (Entered: 06/21/1994)

June 21, 1994

June 21, 1994

Case closed (rgm) (Entered: 06/21/1994)

June 21, 1994

June 21, 1994

36

NOTICE OF APPEAL by Claude E. Woods . Appeal record due on 8/24/94 (rgm) (Entered: 07/25/1994)

July 25, 1994

July 25, 1994

37

MOTION by Claude E. Woods to Proceed in Forma Pauperis (rgm) (Entered: 07/25/1994)

July 25, 1994

July 25, 1994

38

ORDER denying [37-1] motion to Proceed in Forma Pauperis ( signed by Chief Judge John V. Parker ), issued notices. (rgm) (Entered: 07/26/1994)

July 26, 1994

July 26, 1994

Certified and transmitted 221 pages of Record on Appeal to U.S. Court of Appeals: [36-1] appeal by Claude E. Woods also sent 93-892 record of 16 pages (rgm) (Entered: 07/27/1994)

July 27, 1994

July 27, 1994

USCA Case Number Re: [36-1] appeal by Claude E. Woods USCA NUMBER: 94-30433 (slh) (Entered: 08/02/1994)

Aug. 1, 1994

Aug. 1, 1994

39

ORDER...USCA...It is now here ordered ...that the judgment of the District Court in this cause is affirmed. (), issued notices. (hcj) (Entered: 06/07/1995)

June 5, 1995

June 5, 1995

Record on Appeal returned from U.S. Court of Appeals: [36-1] appeal (hcj) (Entered: 06/07/1995)

June 5, 1995

June 5, 1995

Case Details

State / Territory: Louisiana

Case Type(s):

Prison Conditions

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 26, 1993

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Inmate who had been confined in extended lockdown challenging this discipline as violative of his equal protection rights

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown

Filed Pro Se: Yes

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Louisiana State Penitentiary, State

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Equal Protection

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Issues

General:

Administrative segregation

Classification / placement

Disciplinary procedures

Disciplinary segregation

Sanitation / living conditions

Totality of conditions

Discrimination-basis:

Race discrimination

Type of Facility:

Government-run