ORDERS:
ORDER OF DISMISSAL DUE TO LACK OF JURISDICTION
Grievance No. ACI-0014-00
A threshold issue in every case is whether subject matter jurisdiction exists over the matter in question. Such issues may be
raised at any time and may be considered by the court on its own motion. See Johnson v. State, 319 S.C. 62, 459 S.E.2d
840 (1995). Here, the issue is whether jurisdiction exists in the Administrative Law Judge Division (ALJD).
The En Banc Order of McNeil v. South Carolina Department of Corrections, 00-ALJ-04-00336-AP (September 5, 2001)
holds that the ALJD's appellate jurisdiction in inmate appeals is limited to two types of cases: cases in which an inmate
contends that prison officials have erroneously calculated his sentence, sentence-related credits, or custody status; cases in
which DOC has taken an inmate's created liberty interest as punishment in a major disciplinary hearing.
In this case, Ahmad C. Garland (Garland) asserts he was wrongly refused mail services for the filing of legal claims. Such
is not a challenge to the calculation of a sentence, sentence-related credits, or custody status. Also, Garland has not lost a
created liberty interest as punishment in a major disciplinary hearing. Accordingly, no jurisdiction exists in the ALJD to
decide this matter.
THEREFORE, this matter is dismissed and the case is ended.
AND IT IS SO ORDERED.
____________________________
RAY N. STEVENS
Administrative Law Judge
Dated: October 16, 2001
Columbia, South Carolina |