Opinion
May 21, 1998
Appeal from the Supreme Court, entered in Chemung County
Following a hearing, petitioner, an inmate at Elmira Correctional Facility in Chemung County, was found guilty of violating a prison disciplinary rule prohibiting possession of a controlled substance. Charged after a strip frisk and body cavity search of petitioner resulted in the discovery of, inter alia, several items of contraband that tested positive for the presence of marihuana, the determination of guilt was affirmed upon administrative appeal and this CPLR article 78 proceeding ensued.
The Hearing Officer dismissed a separate charge of smuggling.
Initially, we conclude that the misbehavior report sufficiently notified petitioner of the charges against him in that it provided "enough particulars to make an effective response" ( Matter of Abdur-Raheem v. Mann, 85 N.Y.2d 113, 123). With respect to the absence from the misbehavior report of the endorsement of the correction officer who petitioner claims received confidential information concerning the contraband, even if such an omission did constitute error, it does not warrant annulment in this case in that "petitioner has failed to demonstrate any prejudice accruing to himself as a result" ( Matter of Parker v. Laundree, 234 A.D.2d 727).
We also reject petitioners challenge to the determination on the basis that the Hearing Officer failed to assess the reliability of the confidential informant whose tip led to the search. "[W]hen a determination of guilt does not depend upon the credibility of confidential information, there is no need for an assessment of the informants reliability" ( Matter of Brown v. Coombe, 241 A.D.2d 644). Here, the misbehavior report appropriately contained information from a correction officer who had "ascertained the facts of the incident" ( 7 NYCRR 251-3.1 [b]). The confidential information merely prompted the investigation that ultimately led to the discovery of separate evidence of petitioners guilt.
Finally, to the extent the petition raises an issue of substantial evidence, we conclude that the record sufficiently supports the determination of guilt. While petitioner claimed at the hearing that he had been framed and that the contraband was not in his possession, his contentions merely created a credibility issue for the Hearing Officer to resolve ( see, Matter of Folk v. Coombe, 232 A.D.2d 683).
The remaining arguments raised by petitioner have been examined and found to be without merit.
White, J.P., Yesawich Jr., Spain and Graffeo, JJ., concur.
Adjudged that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed.