Opinion
2012-08-2
In the Matter of Ryan BROWN, Petitioner, v. Brian FISCHER, as Commissioner of Corrections and Community Supervision, Respondent.
Ryan Brown, Dannemora, petitioner pro se. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Peter H. Schiff of counsel), for respondent.
Ryan Brown, Dannemora, 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 Albany County) to review a determination of respondent which found petitioner guilty of violating certain prison disciplinary rules.
During the course of an investigation which included the receipt of information from a confidential source, correction officials learned that, as part of his initiation into a gang, petitioner cut another inmate and caused a wound to the inmate's face. As a result, petitioner was charged in a misbehavior report with assaulting another inmate, engaging in violent conduct, possessing a weapon, engaging in gang-related activity and fighting. Following a tier III disciplinary hearing, he was found guilty of all of the charges, except for fighting. The determination was later affirmed on administrative appeal and this CPLR article 78 proceeding ensued.
We confirm. The misbehavior report and the testimony of the correction sergeant who authored it, as well as the detailed and specific confidential information reviewed by the Hearing Officer in camera, provide substantial evidence supportingthe determination of guilt ( see Matter of Sanchez v. Fischer, 92 A.D.3d 1061, 1062, 937 N.Y.S.2d 902 [2012];Matter of Samuel v. Fischer, 53 A.D.3d 960, 960, 861 N.Y.S.2d 523 [2008] ). Contrary to petitioner's claim, the Hearing Officer conducted a proper inquiry to independently ascertain the reliability and credibility of the confidential information by reviewing the transcript of the confidential hearing ( see Matter of Phipps v. Fischer, 82 A.D.3d 1396, 1397, 918 N.Y.S.2d 385 [2011] ) and questioning the correction sergeant who interviewed the confidential source ( see Matter of Williams v. Fischer, 18 N.Y.3d 888, 890, 940 N.Y.S.2d 531, 963 N.E.2d 1232 [2012];Matter of Elliott v. Fischer, 94 A.D.3d 1326, 1327, 942 N.Y.S.2d 698 [2012] ). Therefore, we find no reason to disturb respondent's determination.
ADJUDGED that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed.