ÿWPC~ ©€ßXìˆÞ¢»ï±!„Øè{Q ³i+éÞ¸ÀµÍ¬j)Yâ¢RÅQ[áKîpŠÿÌÉ;¯í¿™Š}SÀ6-,•7ãTÿ·#kñ¸j¶/ZûL+È&Æñ”法KvÎK‘¼ò‡zFxaéD~q/h²*‡kécªÜ V']J ƒ âåOf,¹¥^Øœ<[`Ч&¦ÔX¸ï»2ÿÌÐO0èÑ;.zj›]] iýh$)#!>UN_ %­ 0(³w@Û4/>U NFUN”U<â 0l 0DŠU<Δ £žA mC U NZ N¨ ^ ª ö AQy Ê Ò U:×  U:   BP Æm 0D3 0Dw 0D»» D/ÿÿ B. D3K˜HP LaserJet 8000 DN PSØÚØÚÚØØÚ0(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡  ¡¢D£¤D¥¦D§Ó€±¶tpO'3|x¶(ÈhH  Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman Regular)LÀÄ  Z $Arrus BT Roman((3üÝ$¤¤Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó-šBu Z‹$Arrus BT Roman ŠÝ ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔStigger€did€not€appeal€the€dismissal€of€his€complaint.€ ™Ý ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔNeither€Chambers€nor€Jeffries€appealed€the€dismissal€of€the€Complaint. ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman Regular¥>'  ¹Ý ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔNeither€Ô_ÔHerronÔ_Ô€nor€Fletcher€appealed€the€dismissal€of€the€Complaint.€€ !"#(Cþÿ<<Cÿÿ  ûÝ ƒ!¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€XzXXXÔÔ€èXXzÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€XzXèÔÐ  ÐÌNovember€4,€1999ÌÌCecil€Crowson,€Jr.ÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAhÔó ó,–ûyAZ‹"Arial Regular ûÝ ƒ!¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€XZ^XXXÔÔ€ê³XXZ^ÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€XZ^Xê³ÔÐ  ÐÌOctober€30,€1999ÌÌCecil€Crowson,€Jr.ÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAhÔó ó,–ûyAZ‹"Arial Regular dƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3¯$¢¢Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó'''÷ÿ dxdüÿP Pd'ÿÿdxdÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑTR[° AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÓ  Óò òÔ‡ X7zXXXÔñ±ññ§ñßr€(<,(j 8` `€€@Eȱ` ttx0°ð árßñ§ññ±ññ¶ññ±ñßr€(<,(j 8` `€€@Eȱ` ttx0°ð árßñ±ññ¶ñÔ_Ôà@ ìàIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEó óˆÐ ° Ðò òà@kk%ìàAT€JACKSONˆÐ œì Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð ˆØ ÐÌóóñ¶ñßt€(>.*jxN` `€€@EI®` 8ttxP`ð N tßñ¶ñÌGARY€BERNARD€SANDERS,€ET€ALà À à)à  àà p àÐ L œ Ðó óà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àò ò)ó óÐ 8 ˆ Ðà  àPlaintiffs/Appellants,à  àà h àà À àò ò)à  àó óLauderdale€Circuit€No.€4973€€€€€Ð $ t Ðò òà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)ó óà  àà p àÐ  d Ðò òv.à  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)à  à€Ð  P  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)à  àó óAppeal€No.€02A01„9810„CV„00299ò òÐ ì <  ÐDONAL€CAMPBELL,€ET€AL,à h àà À à)à  àÐ Ü,  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)Ìà  àó óDefendants/Appellees.ò òà h àà À à)Ð ´  Ðà  àó óòòÌóóò òÌÌÌà@OOìàó óAPPEAL€FROM€THE€CIRCUIT€COURT€OF€LAUDERDALE€COUNTYˆÐ T¤ Ðà@‘‘ ìàAT€RIPLEY,€TENNESSEEˆÌÌÌà@ó ó ìàTHE€HONORABLE€JOSEPH€H.€WALKER,€III,€JUDGEˆÌòòÌÌÌFor€the€Plaintiffs/Appellantsóó:òòà  àà h àà À àFor€the€Defendants/Appelleesóó:òòÐ ´ ÐÌóóGary€Bernard€Sanders,€Pro€Seà h àà À àPaul€G.€SummersÐ ŒÜ ÐMemphis,€Tennesseeà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àMichael€E.€MooreÐ xÈ Ѐ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€à ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àElena€J.€Xoinis€€€€€€€€Ð d ´ Ѐ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€à ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àNashville,€TennesseeÐ P!  ÐÌÌÌò òÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àAFFIRMED€ÌÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àó óHOLLY€KIRBY€LILLARD,€J.Ð œ)ì$( ÐÌÌÌCONCURS:ÌòòÌóóW.€FRANK€CRAWFORD,€P.J.,€W.S.Ð $/t*. ÐÌALAN€E.€HIGHERS,€J.ÌÔ#†X7zXX X7zŽ#ÔÐ  è18-1 ÐØØÓÓÑ8€7zXXdìXXdì8ÑÑ  Ñà@66'ìàò òOPINIONó óˆÐ ° Ðà  àThis€case€involves€a€claim€by€a€prisoner€alleging€a€violation€of€civil€rights.€€The€plaintiffÏprisoner€is€a€ð ðjailhouse€lawyerðð€who€alleges€that€the€prisonððs€legal€facilities€were€insufficient€andÏcontends€that€he€was€not€allowed€access€to€other€prisoners€in€order€to€provide€them€legal€advice.€ÏThe€trial€court€dismissed€these€claims.€€We€affirm.Ìà  àOn€June€27,€1997,€plaintiff€inmates€Gary€Bernard€Sanders,€Bobby€Jeffries,€Issac€Herron,ÏLamar€Fletcher,€Willie€Stigger€and€Verdis€Chambers€filed€a€complaint€in€the€Circuit€Court€forÏLauderdale€County,€Tennessee,€alleging€violations€of€their€civil€rights€under€42€U.S.C.€ðð€1983€whileÏthey€were€incarcerated€at€the€Cold€Creek€Correctional€Facility€(ð ðCold€Creekðð).€€Named€as€defendantsÏin€the€lawsuit€were€numerous€employees€of€the€Tennessee€Department€of€Correction:€DonalÏCampbell,€Commissioner€of€the€Tennessee€Department€of€Correction;€Charles€Bass,€AssistantÏCommissioner€of€the€Tennessee€Department€of€Correction;€Alton€Hesson,€Cold€Creekððs€Warden;ÏJimmy€N.€Harrison,€Cold€Creekððs€former€Warden;€Tommy€Mills,€Associate€Warden€at€Cold€Creek;ÏBobby€Tillman,€a€Unit€Manager€at€Cold€Creek;€Pam€Nimmo,€a€counselor€at€Cold€Creek;€PatriciaÏTemple,€also€known€as€Patricia€Steward,€also€a€counselor€at€Cold€Creek;€Larry€Hunter,€BettyeÏKirkpatrick,€Patricia€Galloway,€and€Lois€Montgomery,€all€Corporals€at€Cold€Creek;€Jason€L.ÏHamilton,€a€Correctional€Officer€One€at€Cold€Creek;€and€William€Webb,€formerly€a€CorrectionalÏOfficerò ò€ó óOne€at€Cold€Creek,€later€assigned€to€the€West€Tennessee€High€Security€Facility.€€TheÐ $X" Ðplaintiffs€asserted€òòinter€aliaóó€that€the€prison€legal€assistance€program€and€the€prisonððs€law€library€didÐ è%8!$ Ðnot€meet€constitutional€standards€and€therefore€denied€the€prisonersðð€constitutional€right€of€accessÏto€the€courts.€€Plaintiff€Gary€Bernard€Sanders€(ð ðSandersðð),€a€self„described€ð ðjailhouse€lawyer,ððÏalleged€that€prison€officials€retaliated€against€him€for€attempting€to€provide€legal€assistance€to€otherÏprisoners€by,€€among€other€things,€denying€him€access€to€segregated€inmates.€€Sanders€is€the€onlyÏplaintiff€who€appealed€the€trial€courtððs€disposition€of€the€lawsuit.Ìà  àCold€Creek€maintains€a€prison€law€library€and€a€prison€legal€assistance€program.€€InmatesÏapproved€by€the€warden€are€permitted€to€serve€as€law€library€clerks,€aides€and€as€inmate€legalÏhelpers.€€Only€approved€inmate€legal€helpers€are€permitted€to€meet€with€and€provide€legal€assistanceÏto€inmates€who€have€been€placed€in€segregation.€€Sanders€worked€as€a€law€library€clerk€at€ColdÏCreek.€€While€Sanders€describes€himself€as€a€ð ðjailhouse€lawyerðð€who€occasionally€assists€other€Ð  X8¨38 Ðinmates€in€legal€matters,€Sanders€was€not€on€the€approved€inmate€legal€helper€list.€€Consequently,Ïhe€was€denied€access€to€segregated€inmates.Ìà  àIn€his€lawsuit,€Sanders€claimed€that€prison€officials€promulgated€rules€which€hindered€theÏinmatesðð€use€of€the€law€library,€failed€to€adequately€train€inmate€legal€helpers,€limited€access€toÏphotocopying€and€inmate€telephone€systems€for€legal€purposes,€and€modified€Department€ofÏCorrection€rules€regarding€payments€for€notary€services,€sick€call,€and€disciplinary€infractions.€ÏSanders€alleged€that€these€actions€violated€the€inmatesðð€constitutional€guarantee€of€meaningful€accessÏto€the€courts.€Ìà  àSanders€also€alleged€that,€in€retaliation€for€his€attempts€to€provide€legal€assistance€to€otherÏinmates,€prison€officials€denied€him€access€to€segregated€inmates€who€had€requested€his€legalÏassistance,€conducted€searches€of€his€person€and€of€his€cell,€subjected€him€to€drug€tests,€issued€falseÏdisciplinary€reports€against€him,€and€subjected€him€to€the€prison€disciplinary€process.€€In€addition,ÏSanders€alleged€that€prison€officials€unlawfully€confiscated€his€word€processor€and€storage€disks.€ÏSanders€also€alleged€that€prison€officials€violated€the€Eighth€Amendment€to€the€Constitution,Ïinflicting€ð ðcruel€and€unusual€punishmentðð€on€him€by€subjecting€him€to€unsanitary€conditions€in€theÏlibrary€restroom.€€€€Ìà  àThe€defendants€filed€a€motion€to€dismiss€the€complaint,€pursuant€to€Rule€12.02(6)€of€theÏTennessee€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure,€for€failure€to€state€a€claim.€€Plaintiffs€Sanders,€Willie€Stigger,ÏVerdis€Chambers€and€Lamar€Fletcher€each€filed€responses€to€the€defendantsðð€motion€to€dismiss.€€Ìà  àThe€trial€court€ruled€that€the€plaintiffs€had€failed€to€comply€with€Tennessee€Code€AnnotatedÏðð€41„21„801€et€seq.,€which€sets€forth€the€prerequisites€for€inmates€to€file€claims€in€the€state€courts.€ÏIn€addition,€the€trial€court€found€that€there€could€be€no€liability€under€42€U.S.C.€ðð€1983€for€retaliationÏon€a€theory€of€respondeat€superior.€€The€trial€court€found€further€that€the€plaintiffs€had€failed€to€stateÏan€Eighth€Amendment€violation,€and€that€neither€the€State€of€Tennessee€nor€its€employees,€sued€inÏtheir€official€capacities,€are€ð ðpersonsðð€as€that€term€is€defined€under€42€U.S.C.€ðð€1983.€€Finally,€theÏtrial€court€found€that€under€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€9„8„307(h),€state€officers€and€employeesÏare€absolutely€immune€from€liability€for€acts€or€omissions€occurring€in€the€scope€of€their€office€orÏemployment.€€Consequently,€the€trial€court€dismissed€the€lawsuit€in€its€entirety.€€€Only€SandersÏappealed€the€trial€courtððs€order€of€dismissal.Ìà  àOn€appeal,€Sanders€alleges€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€finding€that€Sanders€failed€to€complyÐ (:x5: Ðwith€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€41„21„805;€in€finding€€that€Sanders€failed€to€establish€a€violationÏof€his€constitutional€right€of€access€to€the€courts;€and€in€concluding€that€Sanders€failed€to€establishÏeither€a€claim€of€retaliation€or€an€Eighth€Amendment€claim.€€ÌÔ‡ X”ãXXX7zÔà  àÔ#†X7zXX X”ã $#ÔIn€òòò òHumphries€v.€West€End€Terrace,€Inc.ó óóó,€795€S.W.2d€128€(Tenn.€App.€1990),€this€CourtÐ 8 ˆ Ðsaid:ÌÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA€motion€to€dismiss€pursuant€to€Rule€12.02(6),€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.,€forÏfailure€to€state€a€claim€upon€which€relief€can€be€granted€is€theÏequivalent€of€a€demurrer€under€our€former€common€law€procedureÏand,€thus,€is€a€test€of€the€sufficiency€of€the€leading€pleading.Ïòòò òCornpropst€v.€Sloanó óóó,€528€S.W.2d€188,€190,€93€A.L.R.3d€979€(Tenn.Ð ˜è  Ð1975).€€Such€a€motion€admits€the€truth€of€all€relevant€and€materialÏaverments€contained€in€the€complaint€but€asserts€that€such€facts€doÏnot€constitute€a€cause€of€action.òòò ò€€Cornpropstó óóó,€528€S.W.2d€at€190.€€AÐ \¬ Ðcomplaint€should€not€be€dismissed€upon€such€motion€ð ðunless€itÏappears€beyond€doubt€that€the€plaintiff€can€prove€no€set€of€facts€inÏsupport€of€his€claim€that€would€entitle€him€to€relief.ðð€òòò òFuerst€v.Ð  p ÐMethodist€Hospital€Southó óóó,€566€S.W.2d€847,€848€(Tenn.€1978).€€InÐ  \ Ðconsidering€whether€to€dismiss€a€complaint€for€failure€to€state€a€claimÏupon€which€relief€can€be€granted,€the€court€should€construe€theÏcomplaint€liberally€in€favor€of€the€plaintiff€taking€all€of€theÏallegations€of€fact€therein€as€true.€€òòò òHuckeby€v.€Spangleró óóó,€521€S.W.2dÐ ¼  Ð568,€571€(Tenn.€1975).Ð ` x` x Ðò òòòÌÓÓId.ó óóó€at€130;€òòò òsee€also€Riggs€v.€Bursonó óóó,€941€S.W.2d€44€(Tenn.€1997)Ô‡X”ãXXX7zÔ.Ô#†X7zXXX”ã_*#ÔÔ€X7zXXX7zÔ€€Therefore,€our€review€is€òòde€novoóóÐ |Ì Ðupon€the€record,€with€no€presumption€of€the€correctness€of€the€trial€courtððs€ruling.Ô‡ X”ãXXX7zÔ€Ô#†X7zXX X”ãU+#ÔÔ‡ X”ãXXX7zÔòòò òÐ | Ì Ðóóó óÔ#†X7zXX X”ã˜+#Ô€€à  àOn€appeal,€Sanders€first€alleges€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€finding€that€the€lawsuit€should€beÐ |"Ì  Ðdismissed€because€he€failed€to€comply€with€the€statutory€prerequisites€for€inmates€to€file€claims€inÏstate€court.€€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€41„21„805€provides:ÌÓÓà8  àò òAffidavit€of€inability€to€pay€„€Requirements.€„ó ó€(a)€Any€inmate€who€files€a€claimÐ (T#& Ðwith€an€affidavit€of€inability€to€pay€costs€shall€file€a€separate€affidavit€with€theÏfollowing€information:Ð Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  à(1)€A€complete€list€of€every€lawsuit€or€claim€previously€filed€by€the€inmate,€withoutÏregard€to€whether€the€inmate€was€incarcerated€at€the€time€any€claim€or€action€wasÏfiled;€and€Ð Ð Ð  Ðà8  à(2)€For€each€claim€or€action€listed€in€subsection€(a):Ð Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(A)€The€operative€facts€for€which€relief€was€sought;€Ð ` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(B)€The€case€name,€case€number€and€court€in€which€the€suit€or€claimÏwas€filed;Ð ` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(C)€The€legal€theory€on€which€the€relief€sought€was€based;Ð ` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(D)€The€identification€of€each€party€named€in€the€action;€and€Ð ` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(E)€The€final€result€on€the€action,€including€dismissal€as€frivolous€orÏmalicious€under€this€part€or€otherwise.€€Ð ` x` x ÐÌÐ  È626 Ðà8  à(b)€If€that€affidavit€filed€under€this€section€states€that€a€previous€suit€was€dismissedÏas€frivolous€or€malicious,€the€affidavit€must€state€the€date€of€the€final€order€affirmingÏthe€dismissal.Ð Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  à(C)€The€affidavit€must€be€accompanied€by€a€current€certified€copy€of€the€inmateððsÏtrust€account€statement.€Ð Ð Ð  ÐÌÓÓò òòòId.€€óóó óThus,€under€this€statute,€Sanders€was€required€to€file€with€the€complaint€an€affidavit€of€hisÐ $ t Ðinability€to€pay,€an€affidavit€regarding€his€history€of€prior€lawsuits,€and€a€certified€copy€of€his€trustÏaccount€statement.€€While€Sanders€filed€a€ð ðUniform€Civil€Affidavit€of€Indigency,ðð€the€record€doesÏnot€include€any€affidavit€by€Sanders€regarding€his€history€of€any€prior€lawsuits€or€a€certified€copyÏof€his€trust€account€statement.€€Consequently,€dismissal€on€this€basis€was€appropriate.€€ò òòòSeeÐ „Ô  ÐFarnsworth€v.€Compton,€et€al.,€óóó óNo.€02A01„9809„CV„00257,€1999€WL€360567€(Tenn.€App.€JuneÐ \¬ Ð7,€1999).€€However,€since€dismissal€on€this€basis€would€be€without€prejudice,€we€must€examine€theÏother€issues€raised€on€appeal.Ìà  àSanders€alleges€further€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€finding€that€he€had€failed€to€establish€aÏviolation€of€his€constitutional€right€of€access€to€the€courts.€€His€allegations€fall€into€two€categories:Ï(1)€that€prison€officials€wrongfully€prevented€him€from€having€access€to€inmates€in€segregation,€inÏorder€for€him€to€assist€the€segregated€inmates€with€their€legal€claims,€and€(2)€that€prison€officialsÏtook€actions€which€generally€made€the€pursuit€of€legal€claims,€by€Sanders€or€other€inmates,€more€Ïdifficult,€such€as€limiting€access€to€photocopying€and€issuing€rules€hindering€access€to€the€lawÏlibrary.Ìà  àIt€is€well€established€that€prisoners€have€a€constitutional€right€of€access€to€the€courts.€€ò òòòSeeÐ Ì&"% ÐLewis€v.€Caseyó óóó,€ñ ñ518ñ ñ€U.S.€ñ¡ñ343ñ¡ññ¢ñ____ñ¢ñ,€116€S.Ct.€2174,€2180,€ñ£ñ135ñ£ññ¤ñ___ñ¤ñ€L.Ed.2d€ñ¥ñ606ñ¥ññ¦ñ___ñ¦ñ€(1996).€€A€constitutionallyÐ ¤(ô#' Ðacceptable€method€of€assuring€meaningful€access€to€the€courts€is€for€prison€authorities€to€provideÏprisoners€with€adequate€law€libraries€or€adequate€assistance€from€persons€with€legal€training.€€ò òòòSeeÐ T,¤'+ Ðid.ó óóó€at€2177,€2180€(citing€ò òòòBounds€v.€Smithó óóó,€430€U.S.€817,€828,€97€S.Ct.€1491,€1498,€52€L.Ed.€2d€72Ð ,.|)- Ð(1977)).€€Based€on€the€doctrine€of€standing,€an€inmate€alleging€a€violation€of€the€right€of€access€toÏthe€courts€must€show€actual€injury.€€ò òòòSee€Lewisó óóó,€116€S.Ct.òò€óóat€2179.€€A€prisoner€ð ðcannot€establishÐ Ü1,-1 Ðrelevant€actual€injury€by€establishing€that€his€prisonððs€law€library€or€legal€assistance€program€is€sub„¼par€in€some€theoretical€sense.ðð€€ò òòòId.ó óóó€at€2180.€€He€must€demonstrate€that€ð ðthe€alleged€shortcomings€...Ð Œ5Ü05 Ðhindered€his€efforts€to€pursue€a€legal€claim.ðð€€ò òòòId.ó óóóÐ d7´27 ÐÐ  <9Œ49 Ðà  àSanders€claims€first€that€prison€officials€violated€his€rights€by€denying€him€access€toÏsegregated€inmates,€in€order€for€him€to€provide€legal€assistance€to€them.€€However,ÌÓÓà8  à.€.€.€[T]he€right€of€access€to€the€courts€does€not€guarantee€[the€plaintiff€prisoner]€theÏright€to€represent€an€other€inmate,€nor€does€it€authorize€him€to€act€in€anyÏrepresentative€capacity.€.€.€.€€Rather,€the€inmate€whom€he€might€be€trying€to€adviseÏmay€have€some€liberty€interest€and€a€corresponding€right€to€assert€that€right€in€court.€ÏFrom€this€right€is€derived€a€right€to€receive€legal€advice€from€inmates,€if€other€meansÏof€protecting€that€access€to€the€courts€are€not€adequate.Ð Ð Ð  ÐÌÓÓò òòòHarrison€v.€Seayó óóó,€856€F.€Supp.€1275,€1279€(W.D.€Tenn.€1994).€€Thus,€while€the€inmates€whomÐ Ô$  ÐSanders€sought€to€assist€may€arguably€have€standing€to€assert€a€denial€of€their€right€of€access€to€theÏcourts,€Sanders€has€no€such€standing,€based€only€on€prison€officialsðð€denial€of€opportunities€forÏSanders€to€òògiveóó€legal€advice.€€The€trial€courtððs€decision€on€this€issue€is€affirmed.Ð \¬ Ðà  àSanders€also€alleges€various€problems€with€his€use€of€the€prison€legal€facilities,€such€as€rulesÏwhich€hindered€access€to€the€law€library€and€limitations€on€access€to€photocopying€equipment.€€HeÏdoes€not,€however,€allege€that€prison€officials€prevented€him€from€pursuing€his€own€legal€claims.€ÏUnderò òòòLewisó óóó,€in€order€to€satisfy€the€actual€injury€requirement,€Sanders€must€show€that€ð ðthe€allegedÐ ¼  Ðshortcomings€in€the€library€or€the€legal€assistance€problem€hindered€his€efforts€to€pursue€a€legalÏclaim.ðð€€ò òòòId.ó óóó,€116€S.€Ct.€at€2180.€€Therefore,€Sanders€fails€to€allege€facts€showing€an€actual€injury,€andÐ l¼ Ðthe€decision€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed€on€this€issue.Ìà  àSanders€argues€further€on€appeal€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€dismissing€his€claims€ofÏretaliation.€€He€asserts€that€prison€officials€retaliated€against€him€for€providing€legal€advice€to€otherÏinmates€by€denying€him€access€to€segregated€inmates€who€had€requested€his€assistance,€byÏconducting€searches€of€his€person€and€of€his€cell,€by€subjecting€him€to€drug€tests,€by€issuing€falseÏdisciplinary€reports€against€him€and€by€subjecting€him€to€the€prison€disciplinary€process.€€He€arguesÏthat€their€actions€violated€42€U.S.C.€ðð€1983.Ìà  àGovernment€actions€which€standing€alone€do€not€violate€the€Constitution€may€neverthelessÏbe€constitutional€torts€if€motivated€by€a€desire€to€punish€an€individual€for€exercising€a€constitutionalÏright.€€ò òòòSee€Thaddeus„X€v.€Blatteró óóó,€175€F.3d€378,€386€(6th€Cir.€1999).€€The€essence€of€a€retaliationÐ Ü1,-1 Ðclaim€is€that€the€plaintiff€engaged€in€conduct€protected€by€the€Constitution€or€by€statute,€that€adverseÏaction€was€taken€against€the€plaintiff,€and€that€the€adverse€action€was€taken€because€of€the€protectedÏconduct.€€ò òòòSee€id.ó óóó€at€386„87.Ð d7´27 ÐÐ  <9Œ49 ÐÌà  àConsequently,€it€must€first€be€determined€whether€Sanders€was€engaged€in€protected€conduct.€ÏAs€noted€above,€ð ðan€inmate€does€not€have€an€independent€legal€right€to€help€other€prisoners€withÏtheir€legal€claims.ðð€€ò òòòId.ó óóó€at€395,€ò òòòsee€also€Harrisonó óóó,€856€F.€Supp.€at€1279.€€As€explained€in€ò òòòThaddeus„Ð 8 ˆ ÐXó óóó:Ð  ` ÐÓÓà8  à[A]€ð ðjailhouse€lawyerððsðð€right€to€assist€another€prisoner€is€wholly€derivative€of€thatÏprisonerððs€right€of€access€to€the€courts;€prison€officials€may€prohibit€or€limit€jailhouseÏlawyering€unless€doing€so€interferes€with€an€inmateððs€ability€to€present€his€grievancesÏto€a€court€.€.€.€.€€€Thus,€only€if€Xððs€assistance€is€necessary€to€vindicate€Bellððs€right€ofÏaccess€to€the€courts€can€X€too,€state€a€claim€of€retaliation.Ð Ð Ð  ÐÌÓÓò òòòId.ó óóó,€175€F.3d€at€395.€€Therefore,€in€the€case€at€bar,€Sanders€cannot€show€that€he€was€engaged€inÐ pÀ Ðprotected€conduct€in€advising€other€inmates,€unless€he€can€show€that,€in€the€absence€of€SandersððÏassistance,€the€other€inmates€were€denied€meaningful€access€to€the€courts.€€As€noted€above,€thisÏcannot€be€shown€merely€by€alleging€that€the€prison€legal€facilities€were€ð ðsub„par;ðð€it€must€be€shownÏthat€the€inmates€whom€Sanders€sought€to€assist€were€unable€to€pursue€a€particular€legitimate€legalÏclaim€in€the€absence€of€Sandersðð€help.€€ò òòòSee€Lewisó óóó,€116€S.€Ct.€at€2180.€€Ô‡ X7zXXX7zÔÐ ¨ø ÐÔ#†X7zXX X7z$P#ÔÔ‡ X7zXXX7zÔà  àIn€this€case,€the€record€indicates€that€Cold€Creek€maintained€both€a€prison€law€library€andÐ €Ð Ðan€inmate€legal€assistance€program.€€Any€inmate,€such€as€a€law€library€clerk€like€Sanders,€couldÏassist€inmates€who€were€not€in€segregation.€€However,€only€inmates€on€the€approved€inmate€legalÏhelper€list€were€permitted€to€assist€prisoners€in€segregation.€€Ô#†X7zXX X7z{P#ÔÔ‡ X7zXXX7zÔÐ $X" ÐÔ#†X7zXX X7z:R#ÔÔ‡ X7zXXX7zÔà  àPlaintiff/Inmate€Willie€Stigger׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€alleged€in€the€Complaint€that,€while€incarcerated€at€anotherÐ à%0!$ Ðprison,€that€he€had€filed€a€lawsuit€in€the€U.S.€District€Court€for€the€Western€District€of€TennesseeÏstyled€òòò òStigger€v.€Gilless,€et€al.ó óóó,€No.€95„2920.€€Stigger€stated€that€this€lawsuit€was€filed€with€theÐ )à$( Ðassistance€of€an€inmate€legal€helper€at€the€other€prison.€€Stigger€was€subsequently€transferred€to€ColdÏCreek,€and€his€federal€lawsuit€was€later€dismissed€for€failure€to€prosecute.€€After€dismissal€of€theÏfederal€lawsuit€and€while€he€was€serving€a€ten€day€segregation€at€Cold€Creek,€Stigger€first€asked€forÏSandersðð€assistance€in€preparing€a€notice€of€appeal€and€an€application€for€permission€to€proceed€asÏa€poor€person,€to€be€filed€with€the€United€States€Court€of€Appeals€for€the€Sixth€Circuit.€€Stigger€Ð  È2.2 Ðstated:ÌÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àInmate€Gary€Sanders,€informed€the€Plaintiff€[Willie€Stigger]€that€heÏcould€not€prosecute€the€appeal€if€the€sixth€circuit€granted€leave€toÏproceed€òòinóó€òòformaóó€òòpauperisóó.€€Inmate€Gary€Sanders€had€other€legalÐ `° Ðobligations€that€consumed€most€of€his€time.€€Ð ` x` x Ðò òÌó óÓÓStiggerððs€allegations,€if€taken€as€true,€do€not€establish€that€he€was€unable€to€pursue€his€legal€actionÐ $ t Ðin€the€absence€of€help€from€Sanders.€€Stigger€did€not€allege€that€he€was€Ô#†X7zXX X7z‘R#ÔÔ‡ X7zXXX7zÔprevented€from€using€the€lawÐ ü L  Ðlibrary€before€and€after€his€period€of€segregation,€nor€did€he€allege€that€other€legal€helpers€on€theÏapproved€list€could€not€assist€him.€€Indeed,€Stiggerððs€Complaint€acknowledged€that€Sanders€assistedÏStigger€with€his€appeal€of€the€Stiggerððs€lawsuit€to€the€Sixth€Circuit,€but€stated€that€Sanders€ð ðhadÏother€legal€obligations€that€consumed€most€of€his€time.ðð€€Under€these€circumstances,€Stigger€has€notÏbeen€denied€meaningful€access€to€the€courts.€Ìà  àPlaintiff€inmates€Verdis€Chambers€and€Bobby€Jeffries׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€alleged€in€the€Complaint€that,€whileÐ  \ Ðthey€were€in€segregation,€prison€officials€denied€their€requests€for€legal€assistance€from€Sanders€onÏthe€basis€that€Sanders€was€not€on€the€approved€inmate€legal€helper€list.€€Neither€Chambers€norÏJeffries€alleged€that€they€did€not€have€other€means€of€access€to€the€courts€or€that€they€were€not€ableÏto€use€the€law€library€upon€release€from€segregation,€and€neither€alleged€that€they€were€deniedÏreasonable€alternatives€to€Sandersðð€assistance.€€Neither€alleged€facts€which,€if€taken€as€true,€wouldÏestablish€that€either€was€unable€to€pursue€a€particular€lawsuit€in€the€absence€of€assistance€fromÏSanders.€ò òÐ ô$D # Ðà  àó óIn€addition,€plaintiffs€Issac€Herron€and€Lamar€Fletcher׃|×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€alleged€in€the€Complaint€that€prisonÐ Ì&"% Ðofficial€hindered€them€in€assisting€other€inmates€with€legal€claims.€€Herron€was€an€approved€ð ðinmateÏlegal€helper,ðð€and€Fletcher€was€an€inmate€law€library€clerk.€€However,€neither€Herron€nor€FletcherÏalleged€that€they€were€pursuing€their€own€legal€actions€or€that€were€prevented€from€pursuing€anyÏaction€in€the€absence€of€assistance€from€Sanders.€€Instead,€they€alleged€that€they€were€hindered€inÏassisting€other€inmates.€€Their€claims€are€independent€from€those€of€Sanders€and€have€no€bearingÏon€Sandersðð€appeal.€€Ìà  àThus,€the€allegations€of€the€inmates€whom€Sanders€sought€to€assist€do€not€establish€thatÏreasonable€alternatives€to€Sandersðð€assistance€were€not€available.€€Indeed,€it€is€undisputed€that€theÐ Œ5Ü05 Ðprison€provided€a€law€library€and€a€list€of€approved€legal€helpers€to€assist€prisoners€in€segregation,Ïalthough€Sanders€was€not€on€the€list€of€approved€inmate€helpers.€€Therefore,€since€the€inmates€whomÏSanders€sought€to€assist€cannot€show€that€they€were€unable€to€pursue€an€particular€legal€claimÏwithout€help€from€Sanders,€Sanders€cannot€establish€the€first€prong€of€his€claim€for€retaliation,€i.e.Ïthat€he€was€engaged€in€ð ðprotected€activity.ðð€€Consequently,€we€affirm€the€trial€courtððs€decision€toÏdismiss€Sandersðð€retaliation€claim.€€Ô#†X7zXX X7zîX#ÔÔ‡ X7zXXX7zÔÐ è 8  ÐÔ#†X7zXX X7z[d#Ôà  àSanders€also€appeals€the€trial€courtððs€dismissal€of€his€claim€under€the€Eighth€Amendment€toÐ À  Ðthe€United€States€Constitution.€€Sanders€alleges€that€prison€officials€violated€the€prohibition€againstÏð ðcruel€and€unusual€punishmentsðð€by€subjecting€him€to€unsanitary€conditions€in€the€prison€libraryÏrestroom.ÌÔ‡ X7zXXX7zÔòòà  àóóThe€Eighth€Amendment€to€the€United€States€Constitution,€applied€to€the€states€through€theÐ  p ÐDue€Process€Clause€of€the€Fourteenth€Amendment,€prohibits€the€infliction€of€ð ðcruel€and€unusualÏpunishmentsðð€on€those€convicted€of€crimes.€€òòò òWilson€v.€Seiteróóó ó,€501€U.S.€294,€296„97,€111€S.Ct.€2321,Ð Ð  Ð2323,€115€L.Ed.2d€271€(1991).€€In€order€to€establish€an€Eighth€Amendment€claim,€a€plaintiff€mustÏmeet€two€requirements.€€First,€the€alleged€deprivation€ð ðmust€be,€objectively,€ððsufficiently€serious,ððÏðð€meaning€that€the€ð ðprison€officialððs€act€or€omission€must€result€in€the€denial€of€ððthe€minimalÏcivilized€measure€of€lifeððs€necessities.ðð€ðð€€òòò òFarmer€v.€Brennanóóó ó,€511€U.S.€825,€834,€114€S.€Ct.€1970,Ð 0"€  Ð1977,€128€L.Ed.2d€811€(1994)€(citations€omitted).€€Secondly,€the€plaintiff€must€demonstrate€theÏprison€official€acted€with€the€requisite€intent,€that€is,€that€he€had€a€ð ðsufficiently€culpable€state€ofÏmind.ðð€€òòò òSee€id.,€óóó ó511€U.S.€at€834,€114€S.Ct.€at€1977€(citations€omitted).€€In€cases€involving€prisonÐ ¸'#& Ðconditions,€a€plaintiff€must€show€that€the€prison€official€was€deliberately€indifferent€to€inmate€healthÏand€safety.€€òòò òIdóóó ó.€€The€Constitution€does€not€mandate€comfortable€prisons.€€òòò òWilson,€óóó ó501€U.S.€at€298,Ð h+¸&* Ð111€S.Ct.€at€2324.€€à ¸ àÐ @-(, Ðà  àIn€this€case,€Sanders€clearly€does€not€allege€a€deprivation€that€is€objectively€ð ðsufficientlyÏserious.ðð€€Subjecting€Sanders€to€unsanitary€conditions€in€the€library€restroom€does€not€rise€to€theÏlevel€of€a€denial€of€the€minimal€civilized€measure€of€lifeððs€necessities.€€Consequently,€Sanders€failsÏto€state€a€claim€for€violation€of€the€Eighth€Amendment.€€The€decision€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmedÏon€this€issue.€ÌÐ  P8 38 Ðà  àThe€decision€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed.€€Costs€are€assessed€against€the€Appellant,€forÏwhich€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.Ô#†X7zXX X7z f#ÔÔ€ X7zXXX7zÔÐ ˆØ ÐÌÔ‡ X7zXX X7zÔÓÓà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð 8 ˆ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àò òóóHOLLY€KIRBY€LILLARD,€J.Ð $ t Ðó óà  àò òÌCONCUR:ÌÌÌòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð À  ÐóóW.€FRANK€CRAWFORD,€P.€J.,€W.S.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌÌòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ pÀ ÐALAN€E.€HIGHERS,€J.ó óÐ \¬ ÐÔ#† X7zXX X7z‰n#Ô