Learn About the Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
IN RE: Scott PARRILLA, Appellant, v. Daniel A. SENKOWSKI, as Superintendent of Clinton Correctional Facility, Respondent.
Appeal from a judgment of the Supreme Court (Feldstein, J.), entered April 3, 2002 in Clinton County, which dismissed petitioner's application, in a proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78, to review a determination of the Commissioner of Correctional Services finding petitioner guilty of violating certain prison disciplinary rules.
Petitioner was found guilty of violating the prison disciplinary rules that prohibit refusing to obey a direct order, making threats and refusing to double-bunk. The charges arose out of petitioner's refusal to comply with an order to allow another inmate to move into his cell. In addition, petitioner threatened the inmate with physical harm and used racial slurs. Petitioner contends on appeal that the determination of guilt should be annulled because he is not an appropriate candidate for double-bunking due to his mental health problems. This contention is unpersuasive. Even if we were to find merit in petitioner's argument, he was not at liberty to refuse to obey a direct order (see Matter of Keith v. Coombe, 235 A.D.2d 879, 880, 653 N.Y.S.2d 401). Inmates may not disobey the orders of correction officers even if they consider them to be unauthorized or illegal (see Matter of Ali v. Senkowski, 270 A.D.2d 542, 543, 704 N.Y.S.2d 682, appeal dismissed 95 N.Y.2d 886, 715 N.Y.S.2d 376, 738 N.E.2d 780). Petitioner's only acceptable course of action was to obey the order and file a grievance (see Matter of Rivera v. Smith, 63 N.Y.2d 501, 515-516, 483 N.Y.S.2d 187, 472 N.E.2d 1015; Matter of Rashid v. Ketchum, 247 A.D.2d 670, 671, 668 N.Y.S.2d 721). Petitioner's remaining contentions have been reviewed and found to be without merit.
ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed, without costs.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.
Decided: December 19, 2002
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department, New York.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)
Harness the power of our directory with your own profile. Select the button below to sign up.
Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)