Opinion
2014-02-6
In the Matter of Matthew WILLIAMS, Petitioner, v. Albert PRACK, as Director of Special Housing and Inmate Disciplinary Programs, Respondent.
Matthew Williams, Malone, petitioner pro se. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Peter H. Schiff of counsel), for respondent.
Matthew Williams, Malone, petitioner pro se. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Peter H. Schiff of counsel), for respondent.
Proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 (transferred to this Court by order of the Supreme Court, entered in Franklin County) to review a determination of the Commissioner of Corrections and Community Supervision which found petitioner guilty of violating certain prison disciplinary rules.
Contrary to petitioner's contention, the misbehavior report together with the hearing and confidential testimonies, providesubstantial evidence to support the determination finding petitioner guilty of violating the prison disciplinary rules prohibiting unauthorized gang activity and conspiring to assault, threaten, engage in violent conduct, create a disturbance and possess a weapon ( see Matter of Perez v. Fischer, 100 A.D.3d 1324, 1324, 954 N.Y.S.2d 287 [2012] ). The charges stemmed from an investigation into multiple confidential reports that petitioner, identified as a gang leader, had ordered assaults on members of a rival gang.
After our review of the record, we conclude that the misbehavior report contained sufficient detail to inform petitioner of the charges and prepare a defense ( see Matter of Poe v. Fischer, 107 A.D.3d 1251, 1252, 967 N.Y.S.2d 510 [2013] ), and he presented an appropriate defense at the hearing. Furthermore, we find no error in the Hearing Officer's denial of certain witnesses, as the record supports his conclusion that any testimony would be redundant to information already received at the hearing ( see Matter of Burr v. Fischer, 95 A.D.3d 1538, 1538, 943 N.Y.S.2d 920 [2012], lv. denied19 N.Y.3d 811, 951 N.Y.S.2d 721, 976 N.E.2d 250 [2012] ).
Petitioner's remaining contentions, including his claim of hearing officer bias, have been reviewed and found to be without merit.
ADJUDGED that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed. PETERS, P.J., LAHTINEN, GARRY and ROSE, JJ., concur.