Tape Recording Reflecting Frustration About Treatment of Muslim Inmates Did Not Warrant Punishment

The Third Department annulled the disciplinary hearing determination which found that the petitioner had engaged in prohibited “violent conduct” based on a tape recorded conversation.  After reviewing the tape, the Court ruled that the disciplinary rules prohibiting “conduct involving the threat of violence” and participation in “a work stoppage, sit-in, lock-n, or other actions which may be detrimental to the order of the facility” had not been violated. The evidence revealed only that “petitioner was agitated after incidents in which other Muslim inmates had allegedly been assaulted by correction officers. He indicated to the inmates at the meeting that they needed to do something about it and specifically mentioned ‘starting a paper trail.’ Significantly, he did not advocate violent or disorderly action.”  In the Matter of Murray, v Fischer, 514687, 3rd Dept. 3-14-13