George W. Gantt appeals the district court’s order dismissing with prejudice his amended complaint filed under 42 U.S.C. § 1988 (2000), for failure to comply with the court’s prior order directing him to file a complaint setting forth his claims in a short and plain statement, as required by Fed.R.Civ.P. 8(a), and warning him of the consequences of failing to comply. Our review of the record leads us to conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion in finding that Gantt failed to comply with Rule 8. See Ciralsky v. CIA 355 F.3d 661, 668-69 (D.C.Cir. 2004) (stating standard of review). We find, however, that the district court’s dismissal of Gantt’s complaint with prejudice was a harsh remedy. Such dismissals undermine “the sound public policy of deciding cases on their merits.” Davis v. Williams, 588 F.2d 69, 70 (4th Cir. 1978). Thus, we modify the district court’s dismissal to be without prejudice to Gantt’s right to refile a complaint that satisfies Rule 8 and affirm the district court’s order as modified. Gantt v. Sutton, No. 5:06-ct-03039-D (E.D.N.C. Oct. 2, 2006). We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

AFFIRMED AS MODIFIED.