U.S. Appeals Court: OFFICER ON PRISONER ASSAULT.

Sims v. Artuz, 230 F.3d 14 (2nd Cir. 2000). A former inmate brought a [sections] 1983 action against state prison officials alleging that they used, or condoned the use of, excessive force against him in connection with disciplinary proceedings that resulted in special confinement. The district court dismissed the case and the former inmate appealed. The appeals court vacated in part and remanded. The appeals court found that the former inmates allegations stated Eighth Amendment claims for use of excessive force and that the deprivations suffered were sufficiently atypical to implicate a liberty interest in avoiding such punishment. The former inmate alleged that on three occasions he was subjected to beatings from corrections officers that were administered maliciously and sadistically, without need or provocation. As the result of a prison disciplinary hearing, the former inmate alleged that he was sentenced to special housing confinement for allegedly excessive periods of time, was placed in full restrain ts for seven months, was not allowed to exercise without restraints, was deprived for two fourteen-day periods of normal meals, and was forced to remain naked in his cell for a number of days. (Green Haven Correctional Facility, New York)