Opinion
January 12, 1995
Appeal from the Supreme Court, Ulster County.
Petitioner was found guilty after a Superintendent's hearing of violating prison disciplinary rules prohibiting sexual acts among inmates, possession of contraband and the exchange of personally owned items. In this proceeding, petitioner challenges only the determination of guilt of engaging in a sexual act with another inmate. We confirm.
The misbehavior report, authored by a correction officer who witnessed the incident, stated that petitioner and another inmate were observed engaging in a sexual act. We find that this report constitutes substantial evidence to support the determination. Further, we find no error in the Hearing Officer's refusal to allow petitioner to introduce into evidence at the hearing documentary evidence which was not relevant to the determination of petitioner's guilt. Similarly, the inmate assistant's failure to produce these documents on petitioner's request does not constitute ineffective assistance requiring annulment. Finally, we find no evidence in the record that the Hearing Officer was biased or that the outcome of the hearing flowed from such bias.
Cardona, P.J., Mikoll, Crew III, White and Yesawich Jr., JJ., concur. Adjudged that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed.