Steven R. Grayson v. Richard H. Rison, Warden David Crouse Wayne Adams Walt Bunselmeyer

Grayson, a former federal prisoner, brought a Bivens action against three prison officials seeking damages for an allegedly unlawful transfer between prison facilities.

Facts

Grayson spent twenty-nine days at Terminal Island Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in the summer of 1984. As a result of his conviction for mail and securities fraud, he had become not only a federal prisoner, but also a civil defendant. He was sent to Terminal Island in this latter capacity — in order to be deposed — and returned to his usual FCI when the depositions were completed. Because he was only visiting Terminal Island, he was classified as a “holdover.”

While at Terminal Island, Grayson was housed in what is known as the jail (or J) unit, as were all holdovers. Prisoners held in the J-unit were separated from the general prison population for various disciplinary and administrative reasons. Some quarters within the unit were less restrictive than others. Holdovers were assigned first to J-l, where they had limited access to common areas within the unit but could not leave the unit. If space was available and they were able and willing to work, they could later be assigned to less…