Dist. Ct. did not err in granting defendants-prison officials’ motion for summary judgment in plaintiffs-prisoner and former prison psychologist’s section 1983 action, alleging that defendants' denial of their request to marry violated their fundamental right to marry. Record showed that both plaintiffs had violated prison rules by engaging in romantic relationship while plaintiff psychologist worked at plaintiff’s prison, and that psychologist had violated code of professional conduct in maintaining said relationship. As such, defendants could properly deny instant request to marry, given defendants’ right to maintain secure prison facility that was capable of monitoring inmate contacts, and given their right to promote respect for prison’s rules. Ct. noted, though, that plaintiff-prisoner was not precluded from making marriage request in future.
Federal 7th Circuit Court
Civil Court
Prisoners