Attempt to Violate a Prison Rule Is Sufficient to Find a Violation/Intent Is Irrelevant

The Court of Appeals affirmed the finding that the petitioner-inmate had violated the prison rule prohibiting the possession of loose stamps in the prison library. Petitioner argued he did not violate the rule because he was found in possession of the loose stamps outside of the library and he did not intend to violate the rule . However, the Court of Appeals determined an attempt to violate a prison rule is sufficient (petitioner acknowledged he was on his way to the library when the stamps were found) and the petitioner’s intent was not an element of the offense:

Prison rules state explicitly that inmates who attempt “to violate institutional rules of conduct . . . [are] punishable to the same degree as violators of such rules . . . . [and] may be cited for attempts . . . whether or not the text of an actual rule contains such term[]” (7 NYCRR 270.3 [b]). Petitioner testified during the disciplinary hearing that he was carrying the loose stamps while on his way to the law library. Thus, by his own admission, he is guilty of an attempt to violate the provision, and as a consequence Rule 113.22. Furthermore, whether petitioner was aware that he was in violation of a restriction on loose stamps is irrelevant because Rule 113.22 applies regardless of the inmate’s intent. Matter of Bottom v Annucci, 2015 NY Slip Op 07696, CtApp 10-22-15