Summary
denying Eighth Amendment claim based on parole denial where parole board's decision was discretionary and prisoner was not held beyond termination of sentence
Summary of this case from Patterson v. KaineOpinion
CIVIL ACTION NO. 1:08CV82.
January 9, 2009
ORDER ADOPTING REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
On April 16, 2008, pro se petitioner, Tyrone Franklin ("Franklin"), filed a habeas corpus petition pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241, challenging the decision of the United States Parole Commission to deny him parole release. The Court referred this matter to United States Magistrate Judge John S. Kaull for initial screening and a report and recommendation in accordance with Local Rule of Prisoner Litigation 83.09.
On December 19, 2008, Magistrate Judge Kaull issued an Opinion and Report and Recommendation recommending that Franklin's motion under § 2241 be denied and the case be dismissed. Specifically, the Magistrate Judge considered the merits of Franklin's challenge to the Parole Commission's decision to deny him parole at this time, and found that the decision did not constitute cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment, that Franklin did not have a liberty interest in parole, and that the court does not have authority to review the discretionary decision of the Parole Commission under an abuse of discretion standard.
The Report and Recommendation also specifically warned that failure to object to the recommendation within ten days of receipt of service would result in the waiver of any appellate rights on this issue. No objections were filed.
The failure to object to the Report and Recommendation not only waives the appellate rights in this matter, but also relieves the Court of any obligation to conduct a de novo review of the issue presented. See Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140, 148-153 (1985); Wells v. Shriners Hosp., 109 F.3d 198, 199-200 (4th Cir. 1997).
Therefore, the Court ADOPTS the Report and Recommendation in its entirety (dkt. no. 11), DENIES Franklin's petition under § 2241 (dkt. no. 1) and ORDERS the case DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE and stricken from the Court's docket.
It is so ORDERED.
The Court directs the Clerk to transmit a copy of this Order to counsel of record, and to mail a copy to the pro se petitioner, certified mail, return receipt requested.