hudson palmer argued december decided july respondent inmate virginia penal institution filed action federal district petitioner officer institution alleging petitioner conducted unreasonable shakedown search respondent prison locker cell brought false charge prison disciplinary procedures destroying state property respondent solely harass violation respondent fourteenth amendment right deprived property without due process law petitioner intentionally destroyed certain respondent noncontraband personal property search district granted summary judgment petitioner appeals affirmed regard district holding respondent deprived property without due process appeals concluded decision parratt taylor holding negligent deprivation prison inmate property state officials violate due process clause fourteenth amendment adequate state remedy exists extend also intentional deprivations property however appeals reversed remanded regard respondent claim shakedown search unreasonable held prisoner limited privacy right cell entitling protection searches conducted solely harass humiliate remand necessary determine purpose search held prisoner reasonable expectation privacy prison cell entitling protection fourth amendment unreasonable searches prisoners enjoy many protections constitution fundamentally inconsistent imprisonment incompatible objectives incarceration imprisonment carries circumscription loss many rights necessary accommodate institutional needs objectives prison facilities particularly internal security safety impossible accomplish prison objectives preventing introduction weapons drugs contraband premises inmates retained right privacy cells unpredictability attends random searches cells renders searches perhaps effective weapon prison administrator fight proliferation weapons drugs contraband requirement random searches conducted pursuant established plan seriously undermine effectiveness weapon pp merit respondent contention destruction personal property constituted unreasonable seizure property violative fourth amendment assuming fourth amendment protects destruction property addition mere seizure reasons lead conclusion amendment proscription unreasonable searches inapplicable prison cell apply controlling force seizures prison officials must free seize cells articles view disserve legitimate institutional interests even petitioner intentionally destroyed respondent personal property challenged shakedown search destruction violate due process clause fourteenth amendment since respondent adequate postdeprivation remedies virginia law loss suffered decision parratt taylor supra negligent deprivation state employee prisoner property well rationale deprivations property effected random unauthorized conduct state employee procedures impracticable since state know deprivations occur also applies intentional deprivations property district least implicitly appeals held several remedies available respondent virginia law provide adequate compensation property loss reason question determination fact respondent might able recover remedies full amount might receive action determinative adequacy state remedies respondent contention relief state law uncertain state employee might entitled sovereign immunity courts held respondent claim barred sovereign immunity since virginia law state employee may held liable intentional torts pp burger delivered opinion white powell rehnquist joined part brennan marshall blackmun stevens also joined filed concurring opinion post stevens filed opinion concurring part dissenting part brennan marshall blackmun joined post together palmer hudson also certiorari william broaddus chief deputy attorney general virginia argued cause petitioner respondent briefs gerald baliles attorney general donald gehring deputy attorney general peter rudy assistant attorney general deborah wyatt argued cause respondent petitioner briefs leon friedman chief justice burger delivered opinion granted certiorari decide whether prison inmate reasonable expectation privacy prison cell entitling protection fourth amendment unreasonable searches seizures also granted certiorari determine whether decision parratt taylor held negligent deprivation property state officials violate fourteenth amendment adequate postdeprivation state remedy exists extend intentional deprivations property facts underlying dispute relatively simple respondent palmer inmate bland correctional center bland serving sentences forgery uttering grand larceny bank robbery convictions september petitioner hudson officer correctional center fellow officer conducted shakedown search respondent prison locker cell contraband shakedown officers discovered ripped pillowcase trash near respondent cell bunk charges palmer instituted prison disciplinary procedures destroying state property hearing palmer found guilty charge ordered reimburse state cost material destroyed addition reprimand entered prison record palmer subsequently brought pro se action district respondent claimed hudson conducted shakedown search cell brought false charge solely harass violation fourteenth amendment right deprived property without due process law hudson intentionally destroyed certain noncontraband personal property september search hudson denied allegation moved granted summary judgment district accepted respondent allegations true held nonetheless relying parratt taylor supra alleged destruction respondent property even intentional violate fourteenth amendment state tort remedies available redress deprivation app alleged harassment rise level constitutional deprivation appeals affirmed part reversed part remanded proceedings affirmed district holding respondent deprived property without due process acknowledged considered claim negligent property deprivation parratt taylor supra agreed district however logic parratt applies equally unauthorized intentional deprivations property state officials nce assumed postdeprivation remedy cure unintentional negligent act causing injury inflicted state agent unamenable prior review principle applies well random unauthorized intentional acts appeals discuss availability adequacy existing remedies presumably accepted correct district statement remedies available virginia law appeals reversed summary judgment respondent claim shakedown search unreasonable recognized bell wolfish authorized irregular unannounced shakedown searches prison cells held individual prisoner limited privacy right cell entitling protection searches conducted solely harass humiliate shakedown single prisoner property said permissible done pursuant established program conducting random searches single cells groups cells reasonably designed deter discover possession contraband upon reasonable belief particular prisoner possessed contraband appeals concluded record reflected factual dispute whether search respondent cell routine conducted harass respondent held summary judgment inappropriate remand necessary determine purpose cell search granted certiorari affirm part reverse part ii first question address whether respondent right privacy prison cell entitling protection fourth amendment unreasonable searches noted appeals held district summary judgment petitioner favor premature respondent limited privacy right cell might breached concluded protect privacy right shakedown searches individual cell performed pursuant established program conducting random searches reasonably designed deter discover possession contraband upon reasonable belief prisoner possesses contraband petitioner contends appeals erred holding respondent even limited privacy right cell urges adopt bright line rule prisoners legitimate expectation privacy individual cells entitle fourth amendment protection repeatedly held prisons beyond reach constitution iron curtain separates one wolff mcdonnell indeed insisted prisoners accorded rights fundamentally inconsistent imprisonment incompatible objectives incarceration example held invidious racial discrimination intolerable within prison outside except may essential prison security discipline lee washington per curiam like others prisoners constitutional right petition government redress grievances includes reasonable right access courts johnson avery prisoners must provided reasonable opportunities exercise religious freedom guaranteed first amendment cruz beto per curiam similarly retain first amendment rights speech inconsistent status prisoner legitimate penological objectives corrections system pell procunier enjoy protection due process wolff mcdonnell supra haines kerner eighth amendment ensures subject cruel unusual punishments estelle gamble continuing guarantee substantial rights prison inmates testimony belief way society treats transgressed evidence essential character society however persons imprisoned crime enjoy many protections constitution also clear imprisonment carries circumscription loss many significant rights see bell wolfish constraints inmates cases complete withdrawal certain rights justified considerations underlying penal system price johnston see also bell wolfish supra cases cited wolff mcdonnell supra curtailment certain rights necessary practical matter accommodate myriad institutional needs objectives prison facilities wolff mcdonnell supra chief among internal security see pell procunier supra course restrictions retractions also serve incidentally reminders system justice deterrence retribution factors addition correction called upon decide specific question whether fourth amendment applies within prison cell nature inquiry well defined must determine fourth amendment contexts justifiable expectation privacy stake katz applicability fourth amendment turns whether person invoking protection claim justifiable reasonable legitimate expectation privacy invaded government action smith maryland cases cited must decide justice harlan words whether prisoner expectation privacy prison cell kind expectation society prepared recognize reasonable katz supra concurring opinion notwithstanding caution approaching claims fourth amendment inapplicable given context hold society prepared recognize legitimate subjective expectation privacy prisoner might prison cell accordingly fourth amendment proscription unreasonable searches apply within confines prison cell recognition privacy rights prisoners individual cells simply reconciled concept incarceration needs objectives penal institutions prisons definition places involuntary confinement persons demonstrated proclivity antisocial criminal often violent conduct inmates necessarily shown lapse ability control conform behavior legitimate standards society normal impulses shown inability regulate conduct way reflects either respect law appreciation rights others even partial survey statistics violent crime nation prisons illustrates magnitude problem first half prisoners murdered fellow inmates state federal prisons number prison personnel murdered prisoners period riots similar disturbances reported facilities time frame suicides institutions see prison violence corrections compendium mar additionally informal statistics bureau prisons show federal system inmate homicides inmate assaults inmates inmate assaults prison staff suicides system inmate assaults inmates inmate assaults prison personnel within volatile community prison administrators take necessary steps ensure safety prison staffs administrative personnel also visitors obligation take reasonable measures guarantee safety inmates must ever alert attempts introduce drugs contraband premises judicially notice one perplexing problems prisons today must prevent far possible flow illicit weapons prison must vigilant detect escape plots drugs weapons may involved schemes materialize addition monumental tasks incumbent upon officials time maintain sanitary environment inmates feasible given difficulties circumstances administration prison said best extraordinarily difficult undertaking wolff mcdonnell hewitt helms literally impossible accomplish prison objectives identified inmates retained right privacy cells virtually place inmates conceal weapons drugs contraband cells unfettered access cells prison officials thus imperative drugs contraband ferreted sanitary surroundings maintained determining whether expectation privacy legitimate reasonable necessarily entails balancing interests two interests interest society security penal institutions interest prisoner privacy within cell latter interest course already limited exigencies circumstances prison shares none attributes privacy home automobile office hotel room lanza new york strike balance favor institutional security noted central corrections goals pell procunier right privacy traditional fourth amendment terms fundamentally incompatible close continual surveillance inmates cells required ensure institutional security internal order satisfied society insist prisoner expectation privacy always yield must considered paramount interest institutional security believe accepted society oss freedom choice privacy inherent incidents confinement bell wolfish appeals troubled possibility searches conducted solely harass inmates reasoned requirement searches conducted pursuant established policy upon reasonable suspicion prevent searches maximum extent possible course risk maliciously motivated searches course intentional harassment even hardened criminals tolerated civilized society however disagree proposed solution uncertainty attends random searches cells renders searches perhaps effective weapon prison administrator constant fight proliferation knives guns illicit drugs contraband appeals candidly acknowledged device random cell searches obvious utility achieving goal prison security requirement even random searches conducted pursuant established plan seriously undermine effectiveness weapon simply naive believe prisoners eventually decipher plan officials might devise planned random searches thus able routinely anticipate searches virginia identified shortcomings approach adopted appeals necessity allowing prison administrators flexibility one advocate prison searches must conducted pursuant enunciated general policy suspicion directed particular inmate ignore realities prison operation random searches inmates individually collectively cells lockers valid necessary ensure security institution safety inmates others within boundaries type search allows prison officers flexibility prevents inmates anticipating thereby thwarting search contraband marrero commonwealth respondent acknowledges routine shakedowns prison cells essential effective administration prisons brief respondent contends however constitutionally entitled subjected searches conducted harass crux claim searches seizures harass unreasonable prisoner reasonable expectation privacy cell locker personal effects person invaded purpose argument assumes answer predicate question whether prisoner legitimate expectation privacy prison cell merely challenge reasonableness particular search respondent cell conclude prisoners legitimate expectation privacy fourth amendment prohibition unreasonable searches apply prison cells need address issue holding respondent reasonable expectation privacy enabling invoke protections fourth amendment mean without remedy calculated harassment unrelated prison needs mean prison attendants ride roughshod inmates property rights impunity eighth amendment always stands protection cruel unusual punishments token adequate state tort remedies available respondent redress alleged destruction personal property see discussion infra complaint district addition claim shakedown search cell violated fourth fourteenth amendment privacy rights respondent alleged petitioner intentionally destroyed certain personal property search destruction respondent contended deprived property without due process violation due process clause fourteenth amendment district dismissed portion respondent complaint failure state claim reasoning parratt taylor held even intentional destruction property state employee violate due process state provides meaningful postdeprivation remedy appeals affirmed question presented review palmer whether decision parratt taylor extend appeals held intentional deprivations property state employees acting color state law parratt taylor state prisoner sued prison officials alleging negligent loss hobby kit ordered catalog deprived property without due process law violation fourteenth amendment appeals eighth circuit affirmed district summary judgment prisoner favor reversed holding due process clause fourteenth amendment violated state employee negligently deprives individual property provided state makes available meaningful postdeprivation remedy viewed decision parratt consistent prior cases recognizing either necessity quick action state impracticality providing meaningful predeprivation process coupled availability meaningful means assess propriety state action time initial taking satisf ies requirements procedural due process omitted difficult conceive state provide meaningful hearing deprivation takes place loss property although attributable state action color law almost cases beyond control state indeed cases impracticable impossible provide meaningful hearing deprivation ibid parratt necessarily limited facts negligent deprivations property evident appeals recognized reasoning applies well intentional deprivations property underlying rationale parratt deprivations property effected random unauthorized conduct state employee predeprivation procedures simply impracticable since state know deprivations occur discern logical distinction negligent intentional deprivations property insofar practicability affording predeprivation process concerned state anticipate control advance random unauthorized intentional conduct employees anticipate similar negligent conduct arguably intentional acts even difficult anticipate one bent intentionally depriving person property might well take affirmative steps avoid signalling intent negligent deprivations property violate due process clause predeprivation process impracticable follows intentional deprivations violate clause provided course adequate state postdeprivation remedies available accordingly hold unauthorized intentional deprivation property state employee constitute violation procedural requirements due process clause fourteenth amendment meaningful postdeprivation remedy loss available intentional negligent deprivations property state employees state action complete unless provides refuses provide suitable postdeprivation remedy respondent presses two arguments require least brief comment first contends agent state intends deprive person property provide predeprivation process matter due process must brief respondent emphasis original argument reflects fundamental misunderstanding parratt held postdeprivation procedures satisfy due process state possibly know advance negligent deprivation property whether individual employee able foresee deprivation simply consequence controlling inquiry solely whether state position provide predeprivation process respondent also contends citing logan zimmerman brush supra deliberate destruction property petitioner constituted due process violation despite availability postdeprivation remedies brief respondent logan decided question decision parratt left little doubt whether postdeprivation state remedy satisfies due process property deprivation effected pursuant established state procedure held logan plainly relevance respondent even allege asserted destruction property occurred pursuant state procedure determined parratt extends intentional deprivations property need decide whether commonwealth virginia provides respondent adequate postdeprivation remedy alleged destruction property district least implicitly appeals held several remedies available respondent provide adequate compensation property loss reason question determination particularly given speculative nature respondent arguments palmer seriously dispute adequacy existing remedies asserts respect certain legal papers allegedly taken may contained things irreplacable sic incompensable may also involved sentimental items equally intangible value brief respondent suit tort example necessarily compensate fully loss incompensable much remedy event palmer might able recover remedies full amount might receive action said determinative adequacy state remedies see parratt palmer contends also relief applicable state law far certain complete state might hold petitioner state employee entitled sovereign immunity brief respondent suggestion unconvincing district appeals held respondent claim barred sovereign immunity district noted virginia law state employee may held liable intentional torts elder holland see also short griffitts indeed respondent candidly acknowledges probable virginia trial rule immunity bar present case brief respondent respondent attempts cast doubt obvious breadth elder naked assertion phrase may held liable meant possibility liability certain circumstances rather blanket rule brief respondent equally unpersuaded speculation language elder unambiguous employees commonwealth enjoy sovereign immunity intentional torts elder read number federal courts respondent concedes see brief respondent see holmes wampler supp ed irshad spann supp ed frazier collins supp ed whorley karr supp wd daughtry arlington county supp dc sum evident parratt state provided adequate postdeprivation remedy alleged destruction property iii hold fourth amendment applicability prison cell hold also even petitioner intentionally destroyed respondent personal property challenged shakedown search destruction violate fourteenth amendment since commonwealth virginia provided respondent adequate postdeprivation remedy accordingly judgment appeals reversing remanding district judgment respondent claim fourth fourteenth amendments reversed judgment affirming district decision respondent denied due process fourteenth amendment affirmed ordered footnotes appeals observed practical mechanism virginia prevent guards conducting personal vendettas prisoners punishing fact see supra petitioner maintains appeals decision rests least part upon finding independent right privacy prisoners fourteenth amendment alone arguably entirely clear whether appeals believed limited privacy right recognized guaranteed solely fourth amendment applicable state fourteenth amendment whether right emanated fourteenth amendment alone opinion however explicitly speaks primary purpose fourth fourteenth amendments nowhere suggest intention draw distinction fourth fourteenth amendment right privacy prison cells circumstances assume since suggestion contrary mean imply context right privacy might exist fourteenth amendment alone exceeds exists fourth amendment majority courts appeals held prisoner retains least minimal degree fourth amendment protection cell see chamorro hinckley app lilly stumes bonner coughlin vacating district judgment rehearing en banc affirming district grounds cert denied second ninth circuits however held fourth amendment apply prison cell see christman skinner hitchcock cert denied lanza new york plurality termed best novel argument assertion prison place one claim constitutional immunity search seizure person papers effects observation however plainly dictum fact three members specifically dissented characterized gratuitous exposition several grave constitutional issues brennan dissenting joined warren douglas upholding room search rule fourth amendment challenge pretrial detainees bell wolfish acknowledged plausibility argument person confined detention facility reasonable expectation privacy respect room cell therefore fourth amendment provides protection person however lanza unnecessary reach issue fourth amendment general applicability prison cell simply assumed arguendo pretrial detainee retained least diminished expectation privacy katz justice harlan suggested expectation privacy justifiable person concerned exhibited actual subjective expectation privacy expectation one society prepared recognize reasonable concurring opinion always emphasized second two requirements justice white said writing plurality white problem privacy expectations particular defendants particular situations may extent may fact relied discretion companions problem terms principles announced katz expectations privacy constitutionally justifiable case even justice harlan stressed controlling importance second two requirements analysis must view transcend search subjective expectations judges merely recite expectations risks without examining desirability saddling upon society white supra dissenting opinion refusal adopt test subjective expectation understandable constitutional rights generally defined subjective intent asserting rights problems inherent standard see smith maryland respondent contends also destruction personal property constituted unreasonable seizure property violative fourth amendment assuming fourth amendment protects destruction property addition mere seizure reasons lead us conclude fourth amendment proscription unreasonable searches inapplicable prison cell apply controlling force seizures prison officials must free seize cells articles view disserve legitimate institutional interests fourth amendment protect seizures prison cell mean inmate property destroyed impunity note example even apart inmate grievance procedures see infra respondent adequate state remedies alleged destruction property see discussion infra commonwealth new inmate grievance procedure effective october see infra appears time alleged deprivation respondent property similar procedure effect also afforded respondent relief destruction property see reply brief petitioner four circuits including fourth circuit cases held parratt extends intentional deprivations property see sonquist engblom carey rutledge arizona board regents aff sub nom kush rutledge three circuits held brewer blackwell weiss lehman madyun thompson nebraska provided respondent tort remedy alleged property deprivation neb rev stat et seq held remedy entirely adequate satisfy due process even though recognized might provide respondent relief might entitled reaching conclusion parratt expressly relied stevens opinion seventh circuit bonner coughlin modified en banc cert denied holding individual negligently deprived property state employee state action complete unless state fails provide adequate postdeprivation remedy property loss logan examined claim terms illinois statute deprived petitioner opportunity pursue employment discrimination claim specifically distinguished case parratt noting parratt dealing random unauthorized act state employee result established state procedure quoting parratt parratt said designed reach situation deprivation result established state procedure holding intentional deprivation property give rise violation due process clause state provides adequate postdeprivation remedy foreshadowed discussion ingraham wright parratt noted analysis quite consistent ingraham case observed involved intentional conduct behalf state officials noteworthy commonwealth enacted state tort claims act code et seq supp defined circumstances waives sovereign immunity additionally october state place inmate grievance procedure received certification attorney general compliance civil rights institutionalized persons act although apparently neither avenues open respondent potential sources relief persons respondent position future justice concurring courts country quite properly share responsibility protecting constitutional rights imprisoned commission crimes society thus prisoner property wrongfully destroyed courts must ensure prisoner less person receives compensation constitution well human decency requires less issue cases however concern whether prisoner may recover damages malicious deprivation property rather cases decide appropriate source constitutional right remedy corresponds agree treatment issues therefore join opinion judgment today write separately elaborate understanding complaint litigation state ripe constitutional claim complaint alleges three types harm fourth amendment invasion privacy search temporary deprivation right possession seizure permanent deprivation right possession result destruction property search seizure allegations handled together state ripe fourth amendment claim basis facts alleged showed government officials acted unreasonably fourth amendment reasonableness determination generally conducted basis weighing asserted governmental interests particular invasion individual privacy possessory interests established facts case see terry ohio contexts however rejected approach reasonableness inquiry favor approach determines reasonableness contested practices categorical fashion see robinson searches incident lawful custodial arrest bell wolfish prison room search body cavity search rules reasons stated see ante agree government compelling interest prison safety together necessarily ad hoc judgments required prison officials make prison cell searches seizures appropriate categorical treatment see generally lafave adjudication versus standardized procedures robinson dilemma rev fact arrest incarceration abates legitimate fourth amendment privacy possessory interests personal effects see lanza new york cf robinson supra powell concurring individual custody retains significant fourth amendment interest therefore searches seizures contents inmate cell reasonable allegation respondent property destroyed without legitimate reason alter fourth amendment analysis prison cases sure duration seizure ordinarily factor considered fourth amendment analysis see place similarly actual destruction possessory interest generally considered determining reasonableness seizure see jacobsen act taking possession indefinite retention property reasonable handling property government custody fourth amendment concern nonprivacy interests protected fourth amendment extend beyond right unreasonable dispossessions since exigencies prison life authorize officials indefinitely dispossess inmates possessions without specific reason losses occur property official custody simply redressable fourth amendment litigation fourth amendment protect prisoner indefinite dispossession mean without constitutional redress deprivations result due process takings clauses fifth fourteenth amendments stand directly opposition state action intended deprive people legally protected property interests constitutional protections deprivation private property abate time imprisonment course mere allegation property deprivation state constitutional claim either clause constitution requires government deprives people property provide due process law make compensation takings due process requirement means government must provide inmate remedies promised available see parratt taylor concomitantly compensation requirement means remedies made available must adequately compensate takings occurred see ruckelshaus monsanto thus challenging property deprivation claimant must either avail remedies guaranteed state law prove available remedies inadequate see parratt taylor supra adequate remedies provided followed uncompensated taking deprivation property without due process result synthesis constitutional protections accorded private property corresponds believe common sense common understanding person arrested incarcerated personal effects routinely searched seized placed official custody see illinois lafayette edwards searches seizures necessary protect detainee effects maintain security detention facility effects seized generally inventoried noticed receipt stored return person time release loss theft destruction property seized knowledge ever thought state fourth amendment claim rather improper inventories defective receipts missing property long redressable tort actions detinue trespass chattel conversion cf kosak discussing liability federal government losses incurred customs officials searches seizures whether remedies adequate made available promised always questions takings due process clauses fourth amendment never role play sum share justice stevens concerns rights prison inmates believe correctly identified constitutional sources provide property protection sources due process takings clauses fifth fourteenth amendments search seizure clause fourth amendment cases commonwealth virginia demonstrated provides aggrieved inmates grievance procedure various state tort remedies plaintiff inmate availed remedies successfully proved inadequate thus complaint said stated ripe constitutional claim summary judgment defendant proper justice stevens justice brennan justice marshall justice blackmun join concurring part dissenting part case comes us pleadings must take allegations palmer complaint true liberally construing pro se complaint must alleges examining prison guard hudson maliciously took destroyed quantity palmer property including legal materials letters reason harassment reasons stated part opinion agree palmer complaint allege violation constitutional right procedural due process reasoning part opinion however seriously flawed indeed internally inconsistent correctly concludes imperatives prison administration require random searches prison cells also correctly prison context course risk maliciously motivated searches course intentional harassment even hardened criminals tolerated civilized society ante holds matter malicious destructive arbitrary cell search seizure may constitute unreasonable invasion privacy possessory interest society prepared recognize reasonable ante measured conditions prevail free society neither possessions slight residuum privacy prison inmate retain cell minimal value standpoint prisoner however trivial residuum may mark difference slavery humanity another occasion chief justice wrote true inmates lose many rights lawfully confined lose civil rights inmates jails prisons mental institutions retain certain fundamental rights privacy like animals zoo filmed photographed public media reporters however educational process may others houchins kqed plurality opinion citation omitted even assumed palmer reasonable expectation privacy property issue case inspected time mean without fourth amendment protection fourth amendment protects palmer possessory interests property entirely apart whatever privacy interest may first clause fourth amendment provides right people secure persons houses papers effects unreasonable searches seizures shall violated text protects two kinds expectations one involving searches seizures search occurs expectation privacy society prepared consider reasonable infringed seizure property occurs meaningful interference individual possessory interests property jacobsen footnotes omitted suggests interest society security penal institutions precludes prisoners legitimate possessory interests ante see also ante concurring contention fundamentally wrong least two reasons first palmer possession material entirely legitimate matter state law contention material seized contraband palmer possession way inconsistent applicable prison regulations hence legal right possess fact analysis palmer possessory interests odds treatment due process claim part opinion holds material hudson took destroyed property within meaning due process clause ante see also ante concurring indeed holding compelled parratt taylor held hobby kit received prisoner property within meaning due process clause see however interest qualify property within meaning due process clause unless amounts legitimate claim entitlement thus part opinion necessarily indicates palmer legitimate claim entitlement material issue well settled state creates constitutionally protected interest constitution forbids deprive even prisoner interest arbitrarily thus palmer legitimate right state law due process clause possess material issue case analysis indicates palmer legitimate possessory interest material within fourth amendment proscription unreasonable seizures second significant palmer possessory interests protected matter substantive constitutional law entirely apart legitimacy interests state law due process clause eighth amendment forbids cruel unusual punishments proscriptions measured society evolving standards decency rhodes chapman estelle gamble implication prisoners possessory interests virtue fourth amendment free state interference view squared eighth amendment hold prisoner possession letter wife picture baby protection arbitrary malicious perusal seizure destruction judgment comport civilized standard decency substantive constitutional rights also shed light legitimacy palmer possessory interests complaint alleges material issue includes letters legal materials held first amendment entitles prisoner receive send mail subject institution right censor letters withhold delivery necessary protect institutional security accompanied appropriate procedural safeguards also held fourteenth amendment entitles prisoner reasonable access legal materials corollary constitutional right access courts thus substantive constitutional rights affirmatively protect palmer right possess material question free state interference therefore beyond question legitimacy palmer possessory interests clearly infringed hudson alleged conduct ii concluded palmer adequately alleged seizure question becomes whether seizure unreasonable questions fourth amendment reasonableness resolved balancing intrusion constitutionally protected interests law enforcement interests justifying challenged conduct well settled discretion accorded prison officials absolute prisoner retains constitutional rights inconsistent legitimate penological objectives penological justification seizure alleged contention palmer property posed threat institutional security hudson already examined material took destroyed allegation hudson reason save spite contention prison regulations material contraband event indicated constitution prohibits state treating letters legal materials contraband agrees intentional harassment prisoners guards intolerable ante case room conclusion alleged seizure unreasonable need close continual surveillance inmates cells ante way justifies taking destroying noncontraband property material examined found contraband justification seizure material issue contraband simply makes sense say seizure destruction serve legitimate institutional interests ante seizures unreasonable holding based belief society recognize reasonable possessory interests prisoners perception society prepared recognize reasonable based empirical data rather merely reflects perception four justices joined opinion chief justice authored question seizures society prepared consider reasonable surely consensus issue lower courts significance virtually every federal judge address question past decade concluded fourth amendment apply prison cell similar unanimity among commentators acknowledges intentional harassment even hardened criminals tolerated civilized society ante case fail see seizure serves purpose except harassment invade interest society considers reasonable protected fourth amendment rests view reasonableness almost entirely upon assessment security needs prisons ante deference institutional needs critical approach worth inquiring view prison administrators take toward conduct type issue score demonstrates remarkable lack awareness penologists correctional officials consider legitimate institutional interests unaware responsible prison administrator ever contended need take destroy noncontraband property prisoners certainly provides evidence support conclusion institutions require sort power contrary appears view correctional officials guards neither seize destroy noncontraband property example federal bureau prisons regulations state items may possessed prisoner seized prison officials see cfr also provide prisoner retain property consistent prison management specifically including clothing legal materials hobbycraft materials commissary items radios watches correspondence reading materials personal photos virginia law department corrections regulations similarly authorize seizure contraband items alone aware prison system different practice standards prison administration promulgated correctional institutions invariably require prison officials respect prisoners possessory rights noncontraband personal property depriving inmates residuum privacy possessory rights fact plainly contrary institutional goals sociologists recognize prisoners deprived sense individuality devalue others therefore prone violence toward others time approach undermines rehabilitative function institution without privacy dignity provided fourth amendment coverage inmate opportunity reform small may diminished anomalous provide prisoner rehabilitative programs services effort build simultaneously subjecting unjustified degrading searches seizures gianelli gilligan prison searches seizures locking fourth amendment correctional facilities rev justify conclusion recites statistics concerning number crimes occur within prisons example notes period approximately prisoners murdered state federal facilities ante end inmates state federal prisons homicide rate per year yields annual prison homicide rate persons per inmates homicide rate miami per new york per dallas per district columbia per thus prison homicide rate turns significantly lower many major cities suggest type analysis provides standard measuring reasonableness search seizure within prisons suggest use statistics less persuasive size inmate population also belies hypothesis prisoners fit violent incorrigible stereotype many course become recidivists literally thousands upon thousands former prisoners leading constructive lives nihilistic tone opinion seemingly assuming prisoners demonstrated inability control conform behavior legitimate standards society normal impulses ante consistent conception prisons sterile warehouses enlightened view function modern prison system final analysis however deference institutional needs totally undermined fact palmer property contraband palmer allowed possess property contention institutional need policy justified seizure destruction property agreed random searches prisoner cell reasonable ensure cell contains contraband need seizure destruction noncontraband items found searches accord prisoners less protection declare prisoners entitled measure human dignity individuality photo letter anything except prison clothing free arbitrary seizure destruction yet view takes today declares prisoners little chattels view thought society outgrown long ago iii adopting bright line rule takes hands approach prison administration thought abandoned forever wrote wolff mcdonnell hough rights may diminished needs exigencies institutional environment prisoner wholly stripped constitutional protections imprisoned crime iron curtain drawn constitution prisons country today holding squared text constitution common sense fourth amendment general application text requires every search seizure papers effects evaluated reasonableness refusal inquire reasonableness official conduct whenever prisoner involved conclusive presumption searches seizures prisoners property reasonable squared neither constitutional text reality acknowledged prison system less ideal unfortunately abusive conduct sometimes occur prisons fundamentally eagerness adopt rule consistent believes wise penal administration overlooks purpose written constitution bill rights purpose course ensure certain principles sacrificed expediency enshrined principles fundamental law beyond reach governmental officials legislative majorities fourth amendment part fundamental law represents value judgment unjustified search seizure greatly threatens individual liberty must forever condemned matter constitutional principle courts course special obligation protect rights prisoners prisoners truly outcasts society disenfranchised scorned feared often deservedly shut away public view prisoners surely discrete insular minority case destruction palmer property seizure judiciary constitutional duty determine whether justified conclusive presumption conduct prison guards reasonable supported nothing idiosyncratic view imperatives prison administration view shared prison administrators justification nothing less decision sacrifice constitutional principle assessment administrative expediency decade ago wrote view held inmate mere slave totally rejected restraints punishment criminal conviction entails place citizen beyond ethical tradition accords respect dignity intrinsic worth every individual liberty custody mutually exclusive concepts ex rel miller twomey footnotes omitted cert denied sub nom gutierrez department public safety illinois accordingly respectfully dissent judgment part opinion see hughes rowe per curiam california motor transport trucking unlimited walker process equipment food machinery chemical cooper pate per curiam see boag macdougall per curiam haines kerner per curiam around officer hudson shook locker destroyed lot property legal materials letters personal property means harassment officer hudson violated constitutional rights shakedown routine shakedown planned carried harassment hudson stated next time really mess stuff plenty witnesses facts app join part opinion understanding simply applies holding parratt taylor facts case understand holding apply conduct violates substantive constitutional right actions governmental officials may take matter procedural protections accompany see parratt blackmun concurring see also powell concurring result cases contended established prison procedures create unreasonable risk prisoners unjustifiably deprived property see see also block rutherford post logan zimmerman brush though willing assume purposes case holding concerning palmer privacy interests correct taken endorsement new bright line rule prisoner expectation privacy papers effects ante see justification applying rule minimum security facilities inmates pose realistic threat security housed also see justification reading mail prisoner cleared whatever censorship mechanism employed prison received prisoner see also karo post place brennan concurring result texas brown stevens concurring judgment see also bell wolfish marshall dissenting justice like members majority apparently draw distinction physical destruction prisoner property indefinite retention see ante concurring opinion former may actionable due process taking clauses entirely sure whether believes inmate harassed consistently fourth amendment temporarily taking custody correspondence family snapshots example incarceration abates legitimate fourth amendment privacy possessory interests personal effects searches seizures contents inmate cell reasonable ibid net result position however harassment means temporarily longer duration prisoner incarceration depriving inmate personal effects raises fourth amendment issue constitutional issue kind property ultimately returned existence state remedies seizure adverts ante justice ante course irrelevant fourth amendment question since provides remedy fourth amendment violations supplemental state remedy may exist monroe pape see burnett grattan ante patsy florida board regents fair assessment real estate mcnary allen mccurry paul davis wilwording swenson per curiam mcneese board education see also supra point unanimous see powell concurring result today see ruckelshaus monsanto logan zimmerman brush webb fabulous pharmacies beckwith greenholtz nebraska penal inmates leis flynt per curiam bishop wood nn arnett kennedy powell concurring part concurring result part white concurring part dissenting part marshall dissenting board regents roth see hewitt helms greenholtz nebraska penal inmates wolff mcdonnell see procunier martinez prisoner possession types personal property relating religious observance bible crucifix surely protected free exercise clause first amendment see cruz beto per curiam see bounds smith see jacobsen michigan long place bell wolfish see bell wolfish procunier martinez cruz beto per curiam haines kerner per curiam see also rhodes chapman blackmun concurring judgment estelle gamble saxbe washington post powell dissenting see bell wolfish jones north carolina prisoners labor union wolff mcdonnell pell procunier procunier martinez precedent indicates general principle inapplicable fourth amendment acknowledges statements concerning application fourth amendment prisons lanza new york dicta joined majority see ante therefore understand justice seems treat case authoritative precedent ante concurring opinion bell wolfish explicitly reserved questions concerning prisoners expectations privacy seizure destruction prisoners property see edwards approved taking arrestee effects immediate possession constituted evidence crime reserved decision question presented see conversely last confronted question decided today took given seizure prisoner letters subject fourth amendment letters voluntarily written threat coercion used obtain seized without process came possession officials penitentiary established practice reasonably designed promote discipline institution circumstances neither testimony required accused unreasonable search seizure violation constitutional rights stroud follows disagree premise justice decides case act taking possession indefinite retention property reasonable handling property government custody fourth amendment concern ante concurring opinion hudson infringement palmer possessory interests reasonable accept allegations complaint true must neither act taking possession indefinite retention harmless noncontraband items reasonable justified legitimate institutional interest hudson took property solely harass palmer circuits addressed question unanimous see lyon farrier cert pending mills cert denied chamorro cert denied hinckley app lilly ready stumes per curiam bonner coughlin modified grounds en banc cert denied daugherty harris cert denied claims second ninth circuits reached conclusion accord see ante decisions cites predated wolff mcdonnell prior wolff many courts thought judicial review prison conditions possible see generally note constitutional rights prisoners developing law rev note beyond ken courts critique judicial refusal review complaints convicts yale law circuits fourth amendment protects prisoners searches seizures reasonably related institutional needs see hodges stanley per curiam diguiseppe ward vallez cert denied sostre preiser dawson cert denied hansen may savage cert denied see aba standards criminal justice commentary ed gianelli gilligan prison searches seizures locking fourth amendment correctional facilities rev singer privacy autonomy dignity prison preliminary inquiry concerning constitutional aspects degradation process prisons buffalo rev note constitutional limitations body searches prisons colum rev comment electronic surveillance california prisons delancie superior civil liberty civil death santa clara rev see cfr regulations also state staff conducting search shall leave housing work area nearly practicable original order see also dept justice federal standards prisons jails written policy procedure specify personal property inmates retain possession made clear inmates personal property may retain inmates assured facility policies applied uniformly property stored safely see code item personal property prisoner state correctional facility prohibited possessing code virginia rules director shall found possession prisoner confiscated sold destroyed virginia department corrections division adult services guideline sep example illinois regulation considered bonner coughlin provided important essential searches systematic result damage loss abuse inmate personal property deliberately damaging confiscating abusing inmate permitted personal property result disciplinary action offending employee see aba standards criminal justice ed american correctional association standards adult correctional institutions ed national advisory commission criminal standards goals corrections summary literature found schwartz deprivation privacy functional prerequisite case prison crim dept justice bureau justice statistics prisoners apr see dept justice federal bureau investigation uniform crime reports crime pp size prison population also sheds light society may consider reasonable respect property privacy prisoners one recognizes prison population constantly changing inmates family friends retain interest one must acknowledge millions citizens may well believe prisoners retain residuum privacy possessory rights portrayal stereotypical prison inmate entirely overlooks wide range individuals actually served serve time prison system ignores example conscientious objectors refuse register draft corporate executives convicted violating securities antitrust tax laws union leaders former white house aides former governors judges legislators famous writers sports heroes many thousands committed serious offenses crime means way life help think holding influenced unstated fear recognizes prisoners fourth amendment protection lead flood frivolous lawsuits course type burden sufficient justify judicial modification requirements law see tower glover patsy florida board regents frivolous cases treated exactly occasions fundamental shifts legal doctrine legal system developed procedures speedily disposing unfounded claims inadequate protect defendants vexatious litigation something wrong procedures fourth amendment hoover ronwin stevens dissenting omitted fact lower courts permitted suits brought time see supra without disastrous results moreover costs awarded plaintiff frivolous cases brought see even modest assessments prisoners accounts provide effective weapon deterring truly groundless litigation repeal appear extend less entire amendment appears limit holding prisoner papers effects located cell apparently believes least prisoner person secure unreasonable search seizure see bell wolfish powell concurring part dissenting part see cases cited nn supra purpose bill rights withdraw certain subjects vicissitudes political controversy place beyond reach majorities officials establish legal principles applied courts one right life liberty property free speech free press freedom worship assembly fundamental rights may submitted vote depend outcome elections west virginia board education barnette makers constitution undertook secure conditions favorable pursuit happiness recognized significance man spiritual nature feelings intellect knew part pain pleasure satisfactions life found material things sought protect americans beliefs thoughts emotions sensations conferred government right let alone comprehensive rights right valued civilized men protect right every unjustifiable intrusion government upon privacy individual whatever means employed must deemed violation fourth amendment olmstead brandeis dissenting see rhodes chapman brennan concurring judgment blackmun concurring judgment bailey blackmun dissenting see bernal fainter toll moreno blackmun concurring town nursing center blackmun concurring judgment massachusetts board retirement murgia per curiam hampton mow sun wong graham richardson oregon mitchell stewart concurring part dissenting part carolene products