Opinion
April 9, 1998
Petitioner, a prison inmate, commenced this proceeding seeking to challenge respondents determination which found him guilty of violating the prison disciplinary rule prohibiting inmates from using controlled substances. The determination was based, in part, on the positive results of two urinalysis tests which evidenced the presence of cannabinoids and opiates in petitioner's urine. Although Supreme Court transferred this proceeding because a substantial evidence question was raised ( see, CPLR 7804 [g]), petitioner has limited his arguments to this Court to alleged procedural errors which we will now address.
Contrary to petitioner's first contention, the hearing was commenced in accordance with 7 NYCRR 254.6 (a) as it began on January 23, 1997, more than 24 hours after petitioner's initial, meeting with his employee assistant on January 21, 1997 ( see, Matter of Murphy v. Selsky, 239 A.D.2d 724). In any event, at petitioner's request the hearing was adjourned and did not reconvene until five days later, providing petitioner with an ample opportunity to prepare his defense ( see, Matter of Vale v. Selsky, 234 A.D.2d 714). Next, based upon our review of the record, we are satisfied that the employee assistance rendered to petitioner was adequate in that he was provided with all of the documents he requested that were available and relevant to his case ( see, Matter of Wood v. Selsky, 240 A.D.2d 876). Petitioner's contention that an inadequate foundation was laid for the introduction of the urinalysis test results is belied by the record which reveals that the requirements of 7 NYCRR 1020.5 (a) (1) were met ( see, Matter of Lopez v. Goord, 242 A.D.2d 816). Moreover, the Hearing Officer was not required to consider petitioner's claim that his medications might have caused a false positive test result since such claim was made after the Hearing Officer rendered his determination ( see, Matter of Green Is. Assocs. v. Adirondack Park Agency, 178 A.D.2d 860). As to the remaining arguments advanced by petitioner, including that of Hearing Officer bias, we have examined same and find them to be without merit. Accordingly, we confirm.
Cardona, P.J., Mikoll, White, Yesawich Jr. and Carpinello, JJ., concur.
Adjudged that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed.