Opinion
518698
11-06-2014
In the Matter of Mitchell KALWASINSKI, Petitioner, v. Albert PRACK, as Director of Special Housing and Inmate Disciplinary Programs, Respondent.
Mitchell Kalwasinski, Alden, petitioner pro se. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Peter H. Schiff of counsel), for respondent.
Mitchell Kalwasinski, Alden, petitioner pro se.
Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Peter H. Schiff of counsel), for respondent.
Before: PETERS, P.J., STEIN, McCARTHY, GARRY and LYNCH, JJ.
Opinion 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 the Commissioner of Corrections and Community Supervision which found petitioner guilty of violating certain prison disciplinary rules.
Petitioner, an inmate, was involved in an incident on July 12, 2013 in which he yelled at a facility nurse, made graphic threats, remarks and gestures to her and a correction officer while nude in his cell, and kicked the cell door, conduct which continued after he was ordered to stop. Petitioner was charged in a misbehavior report with lewd conduct, making threats, creating a disturbance, refusing a direct order and harassment. About 90 minutes later, when the correction officer passed petitioner's cell while making rounds, petitioner threatened to spit in his face and then spat several times on the cell window. As a result of that incident, petitioner was charged in a second misbehavior report with making threats and committing an unhygienic act. Following a tier III hearing that petitioner refused to attend or participate in, he was found guilty of all charges and a penalty, including six months in the special housing unit, was imposed. After an unsuccessful administrative appeal, petitioner commenced this CPLR article 78 proceeding.
We confirm. The misbehavior reports, which contain “factually specific account[s] of the incident[s],” including the exact words uttered and gestures made by petitioner, were authored by the correction officer who witnessed, and was an object of, the misconduct (Matter of Amaker v. Selsky, 43 A.D.3d 547, 547, 840 N.Y.S.2d 239 [2007], lv. denied 9 N.Y.3d 814, 848 N.Y.S.2d 25, 878 N.E.2d 609 [2007] ; see Matter of Hernandez v. Goord, 37 A.D.3d 893, 894, 830 N.Y.S.2d 364 [2007] ). We find that they were, standing alone, “sufficiently relevant and probative” to constitute substantial evidence of the charged misconduct (Matter of Perez v. Wilmot, 67 N.Y.2d 615, 616, 499 N.Y.S.2d 659, 490 N.E.2d 526 [1986] ; see Matter of Foster v. Coughlin, 76 N.Y.2d 964, 966, 563 N.Y.S.2d 728, 565 N.E.2d 477 [1990] ; Matter of Green v. Bradt, 91 A.D.3d 1235, 1237, 937 N.Y.S.2d 456 [2012], lv. denied 19 N.Y.3d 802, 2012 WL 1538331 [2012] ; Matter of Encarnacion v. Bellnier, 89 A.D.3d 1301, 1302, 934 N.Y.S.2d 511 [2011] ; Matter of Gillard v. White, 79 A.D.3d 1466, 1467, 912 N.Y.S.2d 460 [2010]Matter of Saunders v. Goord, 49 A.D.3d 1000, 1000, 853 N.Y.S.2d 418 [2008] ). This is particularly so where petitioner refused to attend, answer the Hearing Officer's questions, present any evidence or request to question the witnesses (see Matter of Soto v. Central Off. Review Comm. of the
Dept. of Corrections & Community Supervision, 118 A.D.3d 1229, 1230, 989 N.Y.S.2d 147 [2014] ). Contrary to his contentions, the record reflects that the escort officer informed the Hearing Officer at the start of the hearing that petitioner had refused to attend; the Hearing Officer then personally went to petitioner's cell and spoke with him and advised him that the hearing would proceed and conclude in his absence, and petitioner told him that he did not wish to attend and refused to sign the refusal to attend form. Petitioner's refusal was documented in the refusal to attend form, signed by the Hearing Officer and another officer who witnessed the refusal. By refusing to attend the hearing, petitioner forfeited his right to be present and failed to preserve any procedural objections or defenses (see Matter of Sowell v. Fischer, 116 A.D.3d 1308, 1309, 983 N.Y.S.2d 912 [2014], appeal dismissed 24 N.Y.3d 933, 993 N.Y.S.2d 544, 17 N.E.3d 1141 [2014] ; Matter of Abreu v. Bezio, 84 A.D.3d 1596, 1596–1597, 922 N.Y.S.2d 667 [2011], appeals dismissed 17 N.Y.3d 781, 929 N.Y.S.2d 81, 952 N.E.2d 1076 [2011], 17 N.Y.3d 915, 934 N.Y.S.2d 368, 958 N.E.2d 546 [2011] ; Matter of McFadden v. Dubray, 61 A.D.3d 1170, 1171, 878 N.Y.S.2d 468 [2009] ). Petitioner's remaining contentions, including his claim that issues related to his mental health status (see 7 NYCRR 254.6 [b] ) were insufficiently explored, have been examined and found to be without merit.
ADJUDGED that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed.