Opinion
September 24, 1998
Petitioner was found guilty of violating the prison disciplinary rules that prohibit smuggling drugs into the correctional facility and conspiring to possess narcotics. He challenges the determination of his guilt on the ground, inter alia, that it was not supported by substantial evidence. We disagree.
Presented in evidence at petitioner's disciplinary hearing was the misbehavior report which recounted that petitioner had been the addressee of an envelope that arrived at the facility, containing a substance which subsequent laboratory testing identified as marihuana. Also in evidence was the testimony of the correction officer who authored the report. He testified that a confidential informant had notified prison authorities that the marihuana would arrive at the facility in the guise of legal mail addressed to petitioner. Further testimony was given by the facility's Superintendent who attested that the confidential informant had a record of reliability and that the legal mail that arrived at the facility, addressed to petitioner, met the description provided by the informant.
We find that the determination under review is supported by substantial evidence ( see, Matter of Foster v. Coughlin, 76 N.Y.2d 964, 966; Matter of Parker v. Goord, 247 A.D.2d 694; Matter of Seegars v. Goord, 245 A.D.2d 640, lv denied 91 N.Y.2d 811). Petitioner's further contention that the misbehavior report failed to provide him with adequate notice of the disciplinary charges against him is rejected as meritless ( see, Matter of Dumpson v. McGinnis, 247 A.D.2d 804), as is the contention that the chain of custody of the marihuana confiscated from petitioner's mail was broken before it was tested ( see, Matter of Moley v. Selsky, 245 A.D.2d 588). The remaining contentions asserted by petitioner have been examined and found to be without merit.
Cardona, P.J., Mikoll, Crew III and Carpinello, JJ., concur.
Adjudged that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed.