Summary
granting summary judgment where Muslim inmate alleged that he had been threatened with SHU if he did not comply with DOCCS beard policy
Summary of this case from Berisha v. FarrellOpinion
9:04-CV-588 (NAM/RFT).
September 27, 2006
Jeffrey Mack, Plaintiff, Pro Se.
Hon. Eliot Spitzer, Attorney General for the State of New York, Kelly L. Munkwitz, Esq., Assistant Attorney General, Albany, New York, Attorney for Defendant.
MEMORANDUM-DECISION AND ORDER
Plaintiff, an inmate in the custody of the New York State Department of Correctional Services ("DOCS"), brought this action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Defendant's motion for summary judgment (Dkt. No. 17) was referred to United States Magistrate Judge Randolph F. Treece for a Report and Recommendation pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B) and Local Rule 72.3(c).
In a thorough Report and Recommendation (Dkt. No. 21), Magistrate Judge Treece recommends that defendant's summary judgment motion be granted. Plaintiff has interposed an objection to the Report and Recommendation (Dkt. No. 22). Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C), this Court conducts a de novo review of those parts of a magistrate judge's Report and Recommendation to which a party specifically objects. Where only general objections are filed, the Court reviews for clear error. See Brown v. Peters, 1997 WL 599355, *2-* 3 (N.D.N.Y.), aff'd without op., 175 F.3d 1007 (2d Cir. 1999). Failure to object to any portion of a Report and Recommendation waives further judicial review of the matters therein. See Roldan v. Racette, 984 F.2d 85, 89 (2d Cir. 1993).
In his objection, plaintiff disputes only so much of the Report and Recommendation as concerns his First Amendment claims. On de novo review of this aspect of the Report and Recommendation, the Court finds that plaintiff has failed to demonstrate that defendant's restriction on the manner of tying back his beard is an infringement on his religious belief as a Muslim. Nor is there any evidence — direct or circumstantial — supporting a finding that the misbehavior report filed against him by defendant was filed in retaliation for plaintiff's grievances or for his beard.
It is therefore
ORDERED that the Report and Recommendation by United States Magistrate Judge Randolph F. Treece (Dkt. No. 21) is accepted and adopted; and it is further
ORDERED that defendant's motion for summary judgment (Dkt. No. 17) is granted and the action dismissed.
IT IS SO ORDERED.