Supreme Court of the United States

Minneci v. Pollard

January 10, 2012132 S. Ct. 617

Summary

The Court held that a Bivens remedy cannot be implied for Eighth Amendment claims against employees of a privately operated federal prison because state tort law provides adequate alternative damages actions. The decision reversed the Ninth Circuit, which had found such a remedy available. Justice Ginsburg dissented, arguing uniform federal rules should apply.