ANTHONY MALACOW VS. NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS (NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS) , 457 N.J. Super. 87 ( 2018 )

NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
APPELLATE DIVISION
DOCKET NO. A-1587-17T3
ANTHONY MALACOW,
Appellant, APPROVED FOR PUBLICATION
v. November 28, 2018
APPELLATE DIVISION
NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT
OF CORRECTIONS,
Respondent.
Argued October 24, 2018 — Decided November 28, 2018
Before Judges Koblitz, Ostrer and Currier.
On appeal from the New Jersey Department of
Corrections.
Anthony Malacow, appellant, argued the cause pro se.
Tasha M. Bradt, Deputy Attorney General, argued the
cause for respondent (Gurbir S. Grewal, Attorney
General, attorney; Melissa Dutton Schaffer, Assistant
Attorney General, of counsel; Tasha M. Bradt and
Suzanne M. Davies, Deputy Attorney General, on the
briefs).
The opinion of the court was delivered by
KOBLITZ, P.J.A.D.
We remand to the Department of Corrections (DOC) for reconsideration
and the articulation of appropriate reasons for the sanctions consistent with
N.J.A.C. 10A:4-9.17(a) and Mejia v. New Jersey Department of Corrections,
446 N.J. Super. 369, 378-79 (App. Div. 2016). Inmate Anthony Malacow
appeals from the DOC finding that he was guilty of prohibited act *.259, when
he failed to comply with an order to submit a thirty-milliliter urine sample within
two hours. Malacow argues that he provided a urine sample of the requisite
amount, his due process rights were violated before and during his hearing, the
hearing officer (HO) ignored potential video evidence, and his counsel substitute
was ineffective. Malacow's concerns with regard to a fair hearing and the
effectiveness of his counsel substitute are without sufficient merit to require
further discussion in a written opinion. R. 2:11-3(e)(1)(E). We reject these
meritless claims, but remand for reconsideration of sanctions, and suggest the
DOC amend its regulations so that particularized reasons for sanctions are
provided in future disciplinary matters.
The HO found Malacow guilty and sanctioned him to fifteen days of loss
of recreational privileges, ninety-one days in administrative segregation, loss of
ninety days commutation time, 365 days of urine monitoring and permanent loss
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of contact visits. She also referred him for a mental health follow-up. The
findings and sanctions were reviewed and affirmed by the DOC.
Malacow is serving a six-year sentence for burglary and resisting arrest.
On November 19, 2017, at 8:45 a.m., while incarcerated in the Southern State
Correctional Facility, Malacow was ordered to submit a urine sample after
officers discovered "a quart sandwich bag [one-fourth] full of suspected tobacco,
a brillo pad and brillo pad wires with burnt ends, and [three] batteries with the
wrapping peeled off" in his wall locker. At 10:45 a.m., he had failed to provide
a thirty-milliliter urine sample. Malacow was initially charged with: (1) *.201,
"[p]ossession or introduction of an explosive, incendiary device or
ammunition"; (2) .554, "[p]ossession of tobacco products or matches where
prohibited"; and (3) *.259, "failure to comply with an order to submit a specimen
for prohibited substance testing." N.J.A.C. 10A:3-5.11(f) and (i) require an
inmate to provide a thirty-milliliter urine sample within a two-hour period or
face a disciplinary charge.
On November 22, 2017, a disciplinary hearing began, but was postponed
so Malacow could receive a psychological evaluation, as required by a federal
settlement in 1999. Mejia, 446 N.J. Super. at 374-75 (citing D.M. v. Terhune,
67 F. Supp. 2d 401, 403-05 (D.N.J. 1999)). The evaluation revealed that while
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Malacow was suffering from a mental illness, it did not "contribute to [his]
behavior manifesting itself in the alleged infraction"; and Malacow was
responsible for his actions. The evaluation also concluded that Malacow was
"mentally competent to defend [himself] and understand the [disciplinary]
proceeding," and placement in detention or administrative segregation would
not likely "lead to an exacerbation of mental health problems . . . ."
Five days later, the disciplinary hearing resumed. Malacow was granted
a counsel substitute. Although given the opportunity, he did not present
witnesses, nor cross-examine any adverse witnesses. The HO found Malacow
guilty of *.259, failure to submit to testing.
The assistant superintendent provided the following explanation to
Malacow for affirming the HO's determination: "There was no misinterpretation
of the circumstances in your charge. Your charge and sanction are commiserate
[sic] with the [i]ncident and within the guidelines as described in [N.J.A.C.]
10A. Leniency was afforded with the combination of [b]oth charges. No
[m]odification."
Our role in reviewing an administrative agency's decision is limited.
Circus Liquors, Inc. v. Governing Body of Middletown Twp., 199 N.J. 1, 9
(2009). We "do[] not substitute [our] judgment of the facts for that of an
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administrative agency." Campbell v. N.J. Racing Comm'n, 169 N.J. 579, 587
(2001). Instead, we will "defer to matters that lie within the special competence
of an administrative tribunal." Balagun v. Dep't of Corr., 361 N.J. Super 199,
202 (2003). We will not, however, "perfunctorily review and rubber stamp the
agency's decision." Id. at 203. "Instead, we insist that the agency disclose its
reasons for any decision, even those based upon expertise, so that a proper ,
searching, and careful review by this court may be undertaken." Ibid.
"Ordinarily, [we] will reverse the decision of [an] administrative agency
only if it is arbitrary, capricious or unreasonable or it is not supported by
substantial credible evidence in the record as a whole." Mejia, 446 N.J. Super.
at 376 (quoting Henry v. Rahway State Prison, 81 N.J. 571, 579-80 (1980)).
Our Supreme Court has held that inmates are afforded due process rights
in disciplinary proceedings. See Avant v. Clifford, 67 N.J. 496, 525-33 (1975).
An inmate facing disciplinary action must be provided with the following
limited protections: (1) written notice of the charges, provided at least twenty-
four hours before the hearing, so the inmate can prepare a defense; (2) an
impartial tribunal, consisting of either one HO or a three-member adjustment
committee; (3) the assistance of a counsel substitute if the inmate is illiterate or
unable to collect or present evidence; (4) the right to call witnesses and present
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documentary evidence, provided it is not "unduly hazardous to institutional
safety or correctional goals"; (5) the right to confront and cross-examine adverse
witnesses; and (6), quoting the Standards on the Inmate Discipline Program
section 254.283, "a written statement of the fact-findings is given to the inmate
by the [HO] or by the adjustment committee chairman as to the evidence relied
upon, decision and the reason for the disciplinary action taken unless such
disclosure would jeopardize institutional security." Id. at 525-33.
Reviewing the six Avant factors, other than the lack of a valid statement
of reasons for the sanctions, Malacow's due process rights were not violated.
First, he signed and dated the entry on the adjudication of disciplinary charge
form which stated that he waived the twenty-four hours' notice requirement.
Second, Malacow's case was heard before a HO. Third, Malacow requested and
was granted a counsel substitute. Fourth, Malacow was given the opportunity
to call witnesses. Fifth, he was given the opportunity to cross-examine any
adverse witnesses. Finally, Malacow was given a written statement of the
evidence the HO relied upon, and the HO's decision.
The reasons for the sanctions imposed, however, were lacking. The HO
provided the following reason for imposing these sanctions: "[Inmate] was
ordered to void and was unable to provide a sample within the allotted time."
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Of course, an inmate will not be sanctioned unless he or she committed an
infraction. That does not explain why these particular sanctions were imposed
instead of different permissible sanctions.
Although not initially raised by Malacow in his pro se appellate brief, we
asked for supplemental briefing on the lack of articulation of valid reasons for
the sanctions. The DOC argued that because the sanctions were relatively
lenient, no reasons were required. The DOC asked us to remand the matter if
we disagreed with that argument.
Prohibited act *.259 is a Category B offense. N.J.A.C. 10A:4-
4.1(a)(2)(xxvi). Conviction will:
result in a sanction of no less than [ninety-one] days
and no more than 180 days of administrative
segregation per incident and one or more of the
sanctions listed at N.J.A.C. 10A:4-5.1(g), unless a
medical or mental health professional determines that
the inmate is not appropriate for administrative
segregation placement.
[N.J.A.C. 10A:4-4.1(a)(2).]
An inmate found guilty of a Category B offense, in addition to receiving
administrative segregation of ninety-one to 180 days, "shall receive one or more
of the following sanctions:"
1. Loss of one or more correctional facility privileges
up to 30 calendar days;
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2. Loss of commutation time up to 365 calendar days,
subject to confirmation by the Administrator;
3. Loss of furlough privileges for up to two months;
4. Up to two weeks confinement to room or housing
area;
5. Any sanction prescribed for On-The-Spot Correction
(see N.J.A.C. 10A:4-7);
6. Confiscation; and/or
7. Up to 14 hours extra duty, to be performed within a
maximum of two weeks.
[N.J.A.C. 10A:4-5.1(g).]
If "a medical or mental health professional determines that [an] inmate is not
appropriate for administrative segregation placement," then that inmate will
receive one or more of the above seven sanctions without administrative
segregation. N.J.A.C. 10A:4-5.1(g).
In addition, the State's prisons have a zero tolerance drug and alcohol
policy. N.J.A.C. 10A:1-2.2. Therefore, if found guilty of any drug or alcohol-
related prohibited act, an inmate "shall have their contact visit privileges
terminated while housed in New Jersey State prisons and correctional facilities
. . . ." Ibid. A *.259 prohibited act is one that calls for termination of contact
visit privileges. N.J.A.C. 10A:4-5.1(o)(6). Malacow was therefore subject to
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mandatory "permanent" loss of contact visits under the zero tolerance drug and
alcohol policy. N.J.A.C. 10A:1-2.2. The regulations, however, allow an
application for restoration of visits after one year. N.J.A.C. 10A:18-6.20.
Malacow's ninety-one days of administrative segregation was the
minimum amount of time required under N.J.A.C. 10A:4-4.1(a)(2). Before the
administrative segregation was imposed, a psychologist found after evaluation
that placement in detention or administrative segregation would not "likely lead
to an exacerbation of mental health problems within [twenty-one] days that will
significantly reduce [Malacow's] ability to adapt to that setting." Because he
was placed in administrative segregation, which is essentially solitary
confinement,1 for ninety-one days rather than twenty-one days, the evaluation
was arguably of limited utility. 2 As we stated in Mejia, a DOC August 14, 2015
"Request for Rule Exemption" pointed out the negative impact administrative
1
In Mejia, the DOC argued that administrative segregation was not solitary
confinement simply because "inmates have access to several services, including
'five hours of recreation outside of [their] cell each week' and regular reviews
by the mental health staff through the locked cell door." Mejia, 446 N.J. Super.
at 372 n.4.
2
The arbitrary nature of this evaluation concerning Malacow's ability to serve
twenty-one days in administrative segregation, when he is later given a longer
period of time, has not been raised or briefed. We therefore decline to address
the issue.
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segregation may have on the mentally ill. Mejia, 446 N.J. Super. at 375.
"Studies have shown that isolation, under certain circumstances, exacerbates
mental health deterioration." Ibid.
The fifteen days' loss of recreational privileges was within the maximum
of thirty days' "[l]oss of one or more correctional facility privileges" under
N.J.A.C. 10A:4-5.1(g)(1), but it was not a mandated minimum sanction. The
loss of ninety days commutation time was also within the 365-day maximum
amount of time that could have been imposed. See N.J.A.C. 10A:4-5.1(g)(2).
Loss of ninety days of commutation time is a severe consequence because it
delays Malacow's parole eligibility by ninety days. See N.J.S.A. 30:4-123.51(a).
N.J.A.C. 10A:3-5.10(b)(10) provides that an inmate shall be tested
"[w]hen a Disciplinary [HO]/Adjustment Committee orders testing as part of a
sanction for a prohibited substance related prohibited act." Imposing a sanction
of 365 days of urine monitoring upon Malacow was permissible.
If the sanctions imposed were the minimum required, and the inmate had
no mental health issues that might negate one of the otherwise mandatory
penalties, we would agree that reasons for the sanctions were not necessary. In
all other situations, an inmate is entitled to individualized reasons for the
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specific sanctions imposed. See Mejia, 446 N.J. Super. at 378-79; Avant, 67
N.J. at 533.
Under N.J.A.C. 10A:4-9.17(a)(1) to (5), a sanction
may be individualized by considering such factors as
the:
1. Offender's past history of correctional facility
adjustment;
2. Setting and circumstances of the prohibited
behavior;
3. Involved inmate's account;
4. Correctional goals set for the inmate; and
5. The inmate's history of, or the presence of,
mental illness.
Thus, under the regulations, the use of these or other sanctioning factors, is left
"entirely to the discretion of the [HO]." Mejia, 446 N.J. Super. at 378. Pursuant
to our 2016 decision in Mejia, however, the HO must do more than simply
impose a sanction "within the maximum limits set forth in the Administrative
Code." Id. at 379. Without an articulation of sanctioning factors, "we have no
way to review whether a sanction is imposed for permissible reasons and is
located at an appropriate point within the allowable range." Ibid. We urge the
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DOC to amend the regulations to require a HO to articulate individualized
sanctioning factors.
An agency that performs a quasi-judicial function must engage in fact-
finding and "provide notice of those facts to all interested parties" to ensure that
the agency acted within the scope of its authority and facilitate appellate review.
In re Issuance of Permit by Dep't of Envtl. Prot., 120 N.J. 164, 172-73 (1990).
We will then defer to an agency's determination when we have "confidence that
there has been a careful consideration of the facts in issue and appropriate
findings addressing the critical issues in dispute." Bailey v. Bd. Review, 339
N.J. Super. 29, 33 (App. Div. 2001).
Because the only expressed reason for the sanctions imposed was
Malacow's guilt of the violation, we have no way of determining whether the
HO considered the factors set forth in the administrative code, such as
Malacow's mental health issues, or any other factors.
We therefore remand for reconsideration of the sanctions imposed. After
new sanctions are imposed, appropriate reasons must be articulated. We do not
retain jurisdiction.
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