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“Special Circumstances” Justify Non-Exhaustion in Second Circuit
Loaded on Aug. 15, 2008
published in Prison Legal News
August, 2008, page 39
The Second Circuit Court of Appeals has excused a New York prisoner’s failure to exhaust available administrative remedies under the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA). The court found that prison officials’ erroneous refusal to investigate a claim, and frustration of administrative review of the error, constituted “special circumstances” justifying non-compliance ...
Filed under:
Administrative Exhaustion (PLRA),
Legal Property,
Prisoner Property,
Immunity/Liability,
Qualified Immunity.
Location:
New York.
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More from these topics:
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- Ninth Circuit Revives Prisoner’s Claim Based on Guard’s Thwarting of Administrative Remedies, Aug. 1, 2025. Retaliation for Filing Grievances, Administrative Exhaustion (PLRA), Grievances.
- Qualified Immunity Denied for Iowa Prison Doctor’s MRI Delay for Non-Medical Reasons, Aug. 1, 2025. Systemic Medical Neglect, Failure to Treat, Qualified Immunity.
- Sixth Circuit: Michigan Tolling Statute Applies to PLRA Administrative Exhaustion Requirement, July 15, 2025. Retaliation for Litigating, Administrative Exhaustion (PLRA), Tolling of Statutes of Limitations and Laches.
- First Circuit Affirms Denial of Qualified Immunity to Maine Guards who Ogled Prisoner During Childbirth, July 15, 2025. Staff-Prisoner Harassment, Qualified Immunity, Children of Prisoners.
- $250,000 Verdict for South Carolina Prisoner Pepper-Sprayed in Face Without Cause by Guard, July 15, 2025. Guard Brutality/Beatings, Pepper Spray/Tear Gas, Qualified Immunity.
- Eighth Circuit Excuses Missouri Prisoner’s Failure to Exhaust Remedies While He Was In a Coma, June 1, 2025. Systemic Medical Neglect, Administrative Exhaustion (PLRA).
- $2.8 Million Settlement in National NUMI Debit Release Card Class Action, June 1, 2025. Release and Reentry, Money/Property, Seizure of Prisoner Funds, Prisoner Property, Trust Accounts.
- Eighth Circuit Lets Missouri Guard Skate For Placing Avowed Enemies In Same Cell, Resulting In Assault, June 1, 2025. Classification, Failure to Protect (General), Qualified Immunity.

