Justia Federal District Court Opinions

Frankie V. Joseph, a prisoner of the State of Louisiana, filed a Civil Rights¹ complaint seeking monetary damages from the director of state correctional institutions and several prison officials, for alleged mistreatment because he is an "Islam Muslim." The district court granted leave to file the complaint in forma pauperis, and subsequently dismissed it on motion of the defendants. Leave to appeal in forma pauperis was denied by the district court but granted by this Court.

It appears that the complaint stated a claim for damages at least for wrongfully placing and keeping Joseph in solitary confinement and for abusing him while there. See Sostre v. McGinnis, 2 Cir. 1971, 442 F.2d 178. "[I]t must be remembered that prisoner petitions, no less than any other complaint filed in Federal Court, may not be dismissed on the pleadings 'unless it appears to a certainty that the plaintiff would not be entitled to recover under any state of facts which could be proved in support of his claim."' Campbell v. Beto, 5 Cir. 1972, 460 F.2d 765.

Vacated and remanded.