Opinion
2011-09-22
In the Matter of Juan NUNEZ, Petitioner,v.Norman R. BEZIO, as Director of Special Housing and Inmate Disciplinary Programs, Respondent.
Juan Nunez, Alden, petitioner pro se.Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Marcus J. Mastracco of counsel), for respondent.
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 Correctional Services which found petitioner guilty of violating a prison disciplinary rule.
After petitioner, a prison inmate, was required to submit to a random drug test, his urine twice tested positive for opiates and he was served with a misbehavior report charging him with the use of a controlled substance. A tier III disciplinary hearing ensued, after which petitioner was found guilty of that charge. The determination was affirmed administratively, prompting petitioner to commence this CPLR article 78 proceeding.
We confirm. To the extent that petitioner challenges the determination based upon substantial evidence grounds, the misbehavior report, positive test results and supporting documentation provided ample support for the determination of guilt ( see Matter of Evans v. Bezio, 84 A.D.3d 1622, 1622–1623, 922 N.Y.S.2d 828 [2011]; Matter of Hughes v. Bezio, 84 A.D.3d 1598, 1598, 924 N.Y.S.2d 298 [2011] ). With regard to petitioner's procedural contentions, the Hearing Officer properly denied his request to call an inmate witness, as petitioner sought testimony regarding the distribution of medication, which was irrelevant to the proceedings ( see Matter of Canty v. Esgrow, 83 A.D.3d 1322, 1322–1323, 921 N.Y.S.2d 410 [2011], lv. denied 17 N.Y.3d 705, 2011 WL 2566523 [2011]; Matter of Harvey v. Bradt, 81 A.D.3d 1003, 1004, 921 N.Y.S.2d 335 [2011] ). Contrary to petitioner's claim that he was denied the right to call the facility nurse as a
witness, the record shows that he made no such request at the hearing ( see Matter of Knight v. Bezio, 82 A.D.3d 1381, 1382, 919 N.Y.S.2d 220 [2011], lv. denied 17 N.Y.3d 788, 929 N.Y.S.2d 87, 952 N.E.2d 1082 [2011]; Matter of Lopez v. Fischer, 69 A.D.3d 1076, 1077, 893 N.Y.S.2d 341 [2010] ). Finally, we reject the contention that the Hearing Officer improperly relied on petitioner's disciplinary history in rendering the determination, as this information was considered solely for the purpose of determining the appropriate penalty to be imposed ( see Matter of Davis v. Smith, 32 A.D.3d 1096, 820 N.Y.S.2d 866 [2006]; Matter of Sow v. Selsky, 7 A.D.3d 903, 904, 775 N.Y.S.2d 919 [2004] ).
We have examined petitioner's remaining claims—including that he did not receive effective employee assistance—and find them to be unpreserved or without merit.
ADJUDGED that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed.
SPAIN, J.P., LAHTINEN, MALONE JR., STEIN and EGAN JR., JJ., concur.