U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, 2005

White v. Smith

White v. Smith
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit · Decided July 29, 2005 · Williams, Motz, Gregory
140 F. App'x 464

White v. Smith

Opinion

PER CURIAM:

Maurice White seeks to appeal the district court’s order dismissing as frivolous his 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (2000) complaint. Among other things, White contends that the staff at Lanesboro Correctional Institution violated his constitutional rights by failing to place him in protective custody as an informant. White asserts that prison staff were aware that there was a contract out on his life, and they have not housed him properly, or ensured that his food was not poisoned.

We conclude that while many of White’s claims were properly deemed conclusory or frivolous, it is not entirely clear from the record that all of White’s claims are wholly frivolous, as the district court suggests. Fed.R.Civ.P. 8(a)(2). For example, White’s claim that Defendants failed to place him in protective custody might present an arguable basis in the Eighth Amendment. See Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 837, 114 S.Ct. 1970, 128 L.Ed.2d 811 (1994) (holding that to establish deliberate indifference, a prisoner must present evidence to show that the Defendants intentionally ignored a known risk of harm.). Accordingly, we modify the district court’s order to reflect a dismissal of White’s complaint without prejudice. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented *465 in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

AFFIRMED AS MODIFIED

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