Opinion
Civil Action No. 3:06-CV-121-MHT.
February 13, 2006
RECOMMENDATION OF THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE
In this 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action, Antione Roosevelt Harris ["Harris"], a state inmate, asserts that the defendants failed to protect him from attack by a fellow inmate during his confinement in the Tallapoosa County Jail.
Upon review of the complaint, the court concludes that dismissal of the plaintiff's claims against the Alabama Department of Corrections prior to service of process is appropriate under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i).
A prisoner who is allowed to proceed in forma pauperis in this court will have his complaint screened in accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B). This screening procedure requires the court to dismiss a prisoner's civil action prior to service of process if it determines that the complaint is frivolous, malicious, fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or seeks monetary damages from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i)-(iii).
DISCUSSION
The plaintiff names the Alabama Department of Corrections as a defendant in this cause of action. The law is well-settled that state agencies are immune from suit. Papasan v. Allain, 478 U.S. 265 (1986). Thus, the plaintiff's claims against the Alabama Department of Corrections are frivolous as they are "based on an indisputably meritless legal theory." Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 327 (1989). Such claims are therefore subject to dismissal pursuant to the directives of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i).CONCLUSION
Accordingly, it is the RECOMMENDATION of the Magistrate Judge that:
1. The plaintiff's claims against the Alabama Department of Corrections be dismissed prior to service of process in accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i).
2. The Alabama Department of Corrections be dismissed from this cause of action.
3. This case, with respect to the claims against defendants Abbett and Jennings, be referred to the undersigned for appropriate proceedings.
It is further
ORDERED that on or before February 27, 2006 the parties may file objections to the Recommendation. Any objections filed must specifically identify the findings in the Magistrate Judge's Recommendation to which the party is objecting. Frivolous, conclusive or general objections will not be considered by the District Court. The parties are advised that this Recommendation is not a final order of the court and, therefore, it is not appealable.
Failure to file written objections to the proposed findings and advisements in the Magistrate Judge's Recommendation shall bar the party from a de novo determination by the District Court of issues covered in the Recommendation and shall bar the party from attacking on appeal factual findings in the Recommendation accepted or adopted by the District Court except upon grounds of plain error or manifest injustice. Nettles v. Wainwright, 677 F.2d 404 (5th Cir. 1982). See Stein v. Reynolds Securities, Inc., 667 F.2d 33 (11th Cir. 1982). See also Bonner v. City of Prichard, 661 F.2d 1206 (11th Cir. 1981, en banc), adopting as binding precedent all of the decisions of the former Fifth Circuit handed down prior to the close of business on September 30, 1981.