Griffin

Background

For the purposes of this appeal, we take the allegations in Griffin’s complaint and grievances as true. They are as fol- lows: Jermaine Griffin is an inmate in the Arizona Depart- ment of Corrections system. Defendants are the Sheriff of Maricopa County, a prison doctor, two prison nurses, and two prison officials. In May of 1999, Griffin fell from the top bunk of his jail cell in Maricopa County, Arizona. At the time, Griffin suffered from mental health conditions for which he took prescription drugs. He asserts that these drugs impaired his vision and depth perception, making it difficult for him to access upper bunks. After Griffin’s fall, the prison assigned him to a lower bunk. It later reassigned him to a top bunk.

In early December 1999, Griffin fell again while trying to access an upper bunk. He filed an Inmate Grievance Form stating that he had injured himself trying to reach the top bunk, mentioning his mental health conditions and medica- tion, and requesting a ladder or “some sort of permanent step.” While his grievance was pending, Griffin obtained an order for a lower bunk assignment from a prison nurse. A prison officer, the shift supervisor, and the…