Avery D. Williams, an Arkansas inmate, appeals from the district court's order dismissing his 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action for failure to exhaust administrative remedies as required under 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(a). Williams had claimed that Arkansas Department of Correction officials violated his constitutional rights and his rights under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, 42 U.S.C. § 2000bb-2000bb-4, by imposing a grooming policy which prohibited Williams — a Rastafarian — from wearing his hair in "dreadlocks." We conclude the district court improperly granted defendants' motion to dismiss, as the record demonstrates that Williams's grievance had been denied by the Warden and the Assistant Director at the time the court ruled. Accordingly, we reverse and remand to allow Williams an opportunity to proceed on his claims.

Summaries of

Williams v. Norris

United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit

May 14, 1999

176 F.3d 1089 (8th Cir. 1999)

holding that it is sufficient for prisoners to exhaust their remedies before trial

Summary of this case from Jackson v. District of Columbia

holding that inmates must exhaust before the district court issues a ruling

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holding that inmates must exhaust before the district court issues a ruling

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reversing district court's dismissal for failure to exhaust where "the record demonstrated that [plaintiff's] grievance had been denied . . . at the time the court ruled."

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reversing district court's dismissal for failure to exhaust where "the record demonstrated that [plaintiff's] grievance had been denied . . . at the time the court ruled"

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reversing district court's dismissal for failure to exhaust where "the record demonstrate[d] that [plaintiff's] grievance had been denied . . . at the time the court ruled"

Summary of this case from Neal v. Goord

reversing the district court's dismissal because the prisoner's grievance had been denied "at the time the court ruled"

Summary of this case from Pendergrass v. Campbell

reversing the district court's dismissal because the prisoner's grievance had been denied "at the time the court ruled"

Summary of this case from Smart v. Dept. of Corr. for Queen Anne's Cnty.

reversing the district court's dismissal because the prisoner's grievance had been denied "at the time the court ruled"

Summary of this case from Owens v. May

reversing district court's dismissal for failure to exhaust where "the record demonstrated that [Plaintiff's] grievance had been denied . . . at the time the court ruled"

Summary of this case from Kalita v. Federal Bureau of Prisons

reversing district court's dismissal for failure to exhaust where "the record demonstrated that [plaintiff's] grievance had been denied . . . at the time the court ruled"

Summary of this case from Murray v. Rudloff

reversing dismissal for failure to exhaust where plaintiff completed prison grievance procedure by the time the district court had ruled on the motion to dismiss

Summary of this case from Williams v. MacNamara

reversing district court's order dismissing § 1983 action for failure to exhaust administrative remedies under 42 U.S.C. § 1997e, when warden and assistant director had denied inmate's grievance at time court ruled

Summary of this case from Liggins v. Barnett

permitting prisoner to continue action where he exhausted "at the time the court ruled"

Summary of this case from Ahmed v. Dragovich

In Williams v. Norris, 176 F.3d 1089, 1090 (8th Cir. 1999), the Court held that a claim could proceed because it was exhausted at the time the Court ruled.

Summary of this case from Hurlbut v. Murphy

In Williams v. Norris, 176 F.3d 1089, 1090 (8th Cir. 1999), the Court held that a claim could proceed because it was exhausted at the time the Court ruled.

Summary of this case from Williams v. Aldridge

Williams v. Norris

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Williams v. Norris

Williams v. Norris

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Williams v. Norris

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