Opinion
CIVIL ACTION 1:12-CV-02078
12-21-2012
GEORGE SIMMONS, Plaintiff v. JAMES LABLAU, et al., Defendants
JUDGE DEE D. DRELL
MAGISTRATE JUDGE
MEMORANDUM ORDER
Simmons filed a motion for transfer to another prison (Doc. 18) because he does not feel safe at Avoyelles Correctional Center in Cottonport, Louisiana.
A federal court will not direct a state's prison system concerning the specific prison in which a particular state prisoner must be incarcerated. See Meachum v. Fano, 427 U.S. 215, 96 S.Ct. 2532 (1976). It is settled that federal courts will not interfere with matters of discipline and control in state prisons except where paramount federal constitutional or statutory rights intervene. Startti v. Beto. 405 F.2d 858, 859 (5th Cir. 1969), cert, den., 395 U.S. 929, 89 S.Ct. 1789 (1969); LeBlanc v. Foti. 487 F.Supp. 272, 275 (E.D.La. 1980). A writ of mandamus ordering a prison transfer is not available under 42 U.S.C. §1983.
Therefore, Simmon's motion to have the court order him transferred to another prison (Doc. 18) is DENIED.
THUS DONE AND SIGNED in Alexandria, Louisiana on this ____ December 2012.
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JAMES D. KIRK
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE