Heyman v. Kropp

Roberts, J. This is an original action in this Court in which petitioner seeks a writ of mandamus ordering George A. Kropp, the warden of the State Prison of Southern Michigan, to restore to him the “good time” which he had accumulated as credit on a sentence he is now serving. MCLA § 600.4401 (Stat Ann 1970 Cum Supp § 27A.4401); GCR 1963, 714(1). In 1958, Irving Heyman was convicted in Detroit Recorder’s Court of armed robbery and was sentenced to serve not less than 15 nor more than 30 years under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Corrections. The petitioner was transferred to the State Prison for Southern Michigan (Jackson) to serve his sentence. On or about December 2,1961, the guards assigned to the “north yard” of the prison investigated a commotion and personally observed the petitioner running after another inmate (one Springette) with a knife in his hand. Springette informed the officers that petitioner had just stabbed him. On January 31, 1962, the incident was brought to the attention *233 of the prison disciplinary hoard and petitioner was ordered held in segregated status pending further investigation. The prison disciplinary hoard reconsidered this matter on February 28, 1962, and again continued it. On March 28, 1962, the disciplinary board recontinued this matter pending the outcome of criminal proceedings instituted against petitioner in the circuit court for the county of Jackson. On April 5, 1962, petitioner was convicted of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder. On April 9, 1962, the warden of Jackson determined that petitioner had committed a breach of discipline and ordered that petitioner forfeit his accumulated statutory “good time” allowance of 9 months and 24 days. On June 24, 1969, petitioner asked the warden to review the matter. On June 27, 1969, petitioner was informed that consideration of his request would “have to be made a little later.” For reasons not here relevant petitioner’s April 5, 1962, assault conviction was set aside in April 1969 by the United States District Court. Petitioner presents a twofold attack on the legality of the forfeiture of his accumulated “good time”: (1) He contends that since his assault conviction was subsequently set aside by the United States District Court, he may not be penalized for his actions by forfeiture of his statutory good time, and (2) since recognized prison rules were not followed in his case, the loss of his statutory good time is null and void. The Attorney General essentially counters that the warden’s actions lie well within his recognized discretion and, under the facts presented here, are not (or should not be) reviewable by the judiciary since the warden is an officer of the executive branch of government. *234 We reject petitioner’s first contention. Nothing appears on this record to indicate that the setting aside of defendant’s April 5, 1962 conviction by the Federal district court occurred because defendant did not stab Springette. The record does indicate that that stabbing occurred. This is sufficient to sustain disciplinary action in the form of forfeiture of good time. CLS 1961, § 800.33 (Stat Ann 1954 Rev §28.1403). With respect to petitioner’s second contention, § 800.33 does not provide for particular notice or procedure before the warden may exercise the authority therein granted to him. Absent such a statutory requirement and on the reasoning of Lane v. Department of Corrections, Parole Board (1970), 383 Mich 50, petitioner was not entitled to what he here asserts was his right. The issuance of a writ of mandamus is dependent on a showing that petitioner has a clear legal right to performance of a specific duty by the defendant and that defendant has a clear legal duty to act. Mardiros v. Secretary of State (1968), 11 Mich App 541. Neither element is established on this record. Writ denied. All concurred.