In the Matter of Robert Wooley, Appellant v. New York State Department of Correctional Services, Respondent

Summary

The New York Court of Appeals affirmed the Appellate Division, holding that the Department of Correctional Services' denial of maintenance therapy for hepatitis C was neither arbitrary and capricious nor a violation of the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. The court applied a rational‑basis review to the agency's decision and found the denial reasonable because the requested treatment was experimental and not FDA‑approved. Justice Smith dissented, arguing the denial was arbitrary and should not be reviewed on the constitutional issue.