M. Burton v. PA DOC ( 2021 )


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  •            IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
    Michael Burton,                           :
    Petitioner      :
    :
    v.                     :   No. 705 M.D. 2019
    :   Submitted: August 21, 2020
    Pennsylvania Department of                :
    Corrections,                              :
    Respondent         :
    BEFORE:      HONORABLE RENÉE COHN JUBELIRER, Judge
    HONORABLE MICHAEL H. WOJCIK, Judge
    HONORABLE ELLEN CEISLER, Judge
    OPINION NOT REPORTED
    MEMORANDUM OPINION BY
    JUDGE COHN JUBELIRER                          FILED: February 9, 2021
    Presently before the Court is a preliminary objection in the nature of a
    demurrer filed by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC). The DOC
    filed preliminary objections to a pro se Petition for Review filed in this Court’s
    original jurisdiction by Michael Burton (Burton), an inmate at the State Correctional
    Institution at Houtzdale (SCI-Houtzdale). After review, we sustain the DOC’s
    preliminary objection as to Burton’s due process and 
    42 U.S.C. § 1983
     (Section
    1983) claims.
    I. BACKGROUND
    Initially, we note that when ruling on preliminary objections, the Court must
    accept all well-pleaded factual allegations as true, along with any reasonable
    inferences deduced therefrom. Neely v. Dep’t of Corr., 
    838 A.2d 16
    , 19 n.4 (Pa.
    Cmwlth. 2003). Preliminary objections should not be sustained unless it “appear[s]
    with certainty that the law will not permit recovery[,] and any doubt should be
    resolved by a refusal to sustain them.” 
    Id.
    With this standard in mind, we consider the facts as alleged by Burton. On
    October 14, 2019, while an inmate at SCI-Houtzdale, Burton filed a grievance with
    the DOC claiming that a corrections officer (CO) entered his cell on October 11,
    2019, and stole several items of his personal property while damaging his television
    in the process.1 (Petition for Review (Pet.) ¶ 1; Exhibit (Ex.) A to Pet.)2 In his
    grievance, Burton claimed that other inmates in his block had suffered similar
    experiences with this CO but “may be afraid to file a grievance.” (Ex. A to Pet.)
    Burton requested that the DOC investigate the issue, including a review of the video
    footage of the cell block, remove the CO from his unit, and reimburse Burton for his
    missing and damaged property. (Id.)
    The DOC rejected Burton’s initial grievance on October 16, 2019, explaining
    it was rejecting Burton’s grievance “due to a failure to comply with” the proper
    procedures set forth in DC-ADM 804 of the DOC’s grievance process policies,
    namely including proof of ownership/possession of the items.3 (Pet. ¶ 1; Ex. B to
    1
    Burton alleged that missing from his cell were his “highlighters, color[ed] pencils, and
    pictures [he] had out of [his] Dad who recently passed.” (Pet. ¶ 1; Ex. A to Pet.)
    2
    The documents attached to the Petition for Review are each labeled as an “Attachment.”
    For ease of reference, we will refer to them as Exhibits.
    3
    DC-ADM 804, Section 1(A)(17) provides:
    An inmate filing a grievance related to a claim of missing property must provide
    documentation such as a DC-153A, Personal Property Inventory Sheet; DC-154A,
    Confiscated Items Receipt; or a Commissary/Outside Purchase Form for evidence
    or proof that the property items were once in his/her possession. Failure to do so
    may result in the rejection of the grievance.
    (Footnote continued on next page…)
    2
    Pet.) In addition, the DOC rejected the grievance on the grounds that “[g]roup
    grievances or grievances filed on behalf of another inmate are prohibited[]” and
    “[g]rievances based upon different events must be presented separately.” (Id.)
    Burton thereafter filed his second grievance on October 18, 2019. (Pet. ¶ 1;
    Ex. C to Pet.) In his second grievance, Burton removed the claims regarding other
    inmates and other events but otherwise stated the same claims as the first grievance
    with respect to the alleged theft of and damage to his personal property. Burton
    claimed that the CO did not provide him with a confiscation slip for the property that
    was confiscated, as required by the internal policy of the DOC when conducting a
    security cell inspection. (Pet. ¶ 1; Ex. K to Pet.) While Burton did not provide the
    receipts for any property in his second grievance, he stated that he would “write to
    [the] commissary for a copy” of the receipts. (Pet. ¶ 1.)
    The DOC again rejected Burton’s second grievance on October 21, 2019, on
    the basis that Burton had “not provide[d] the required documentation for proper
    review as required in DC-ADM 804.” (Ex. D. to Pet.) On October 22, 2019, Burton
    submitted a receipt for the allegedly damaged television and asked that it be included
    with his second grievance. (Pet. ¶ 2; Ex. E to Pet.) Burton further indicated that he
    had “wr[itten the] commissary for the other receipts” and would “copy and send”
    them once received. (Ex. E to Pet.) The DOC responded to this request indicating
    that Burton’s “grievance was rejected twice” and that Burton’s only “recourse is to
    appeal.” (Id.)
    Inmate Grievance System Procedures Manual, DC-ADM 804, available at
    https://www.cor.pa.gov/About%20Us/Documents/DOC%20Policies/804%20Inmate%20Grievan
    ces.pdf (last visited Feb. 8, 2021).
    3
    On October 24, 2019, Burton appealed to the superintendent. With his appeal,
    Burton submitted receipts and asked that the 15-day requirement to submit issues be
    excused because “sometimes copies [of receipts] cannot be a[c]quired and copied in
    time for the initial submi[ssion].” (Pet. ¶ 2; Ex. G to Pet.) The superintendent upheld
    the rejection of Burton’s second grievance on October 28, 2019, explaining that
    Burton’s “failure to provide the required documents led to the rejections,” and that
    while Burton claimed he “did not have all the required receipts and 15 days is not
    enough time to gather such documentation,” Burton “failed to provide any proof to
    substantiate that claim.” (Ex. H to Pet.) Finally, the superintendent stated that “the
    submission of this appeal with all required documents attached contradicts
    [Burton’s] claims of 15 days being insufficient time.” (Ex. H to Pet.)
    On October 31, 2019, Burton filed his appeal to the chief grievance officer,
    wherein Burton argued that “at the least, video and witnesses should have been
    enough to investigate the claim as it pertained to a crime committed by a[] [CO] and
    . . . there has been a pattern of this.” (Pet. ¶ 3.) Burton further claimed that he “could
    have been granted . . . time to gather receipts” and asked that his issue be remanded
    for an adequate investigation. (Ex. I to Pet.) The chief grievance officer dismissed
    Burton’s appeal finding Burton “failed to provide required documentation with [his]
    initial grievance, as well as [his] resubmitted [second] grievance.” (Ex. J to Pet.)
    Burton then filed his Petition for Review in this Court’s original jurisdiction,
    claiming violations of the United States Constitution, specifically of the Due Process
    Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, the Fourth Amendment’s protection against
    4
    unreasonable searches and seizures, and the Ninth Amendment.4 Burton further
    claims a violation of the DOC’s policy regarding a CO’s ability to search an inmate’s
    cell and confiscate property, DC-ADM 203.F. (Pet. ¶¶ 4-5.) Burton avers that the
    Fourteenth Amendment’s mandate that no “state deprive any person of life, liberty
    or property without due process of law” was violated, as he had a valid property
    interest and has shown that procedural due process “was [not even] afforded but
    abridged.” (Pet. ¶ 4.) Burton further asserts that the rights retained by inmates under
    the constitution include those protected by the Ninth Amendment and that “[e]ven a
    little Fourth [A]mendment protection could be applied as [Burton] has a minimal
    right to ‘be secure in [his] person[], house[], papers, and effects, against
    unreasonable searches.’” (Id. ¶ 5. (quoting U.S. CONST. amend. IV.) Finally, Burton
    avers that he has alleged a violation of “DOC policy,” which “state[s] that [a CO]
    shall not disturb an individual[’]s property whenever [the CO] wants.” (Id.)
    Burton requests that this Court afford him “adequate procedural due process
    so that he may obtain[] and protect his property” and that the CO “be ordered to stop
    violating the law, constitution, and [DOC] policy.” (Pet., Wherefore Clause.)
    4
    The Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution,
    in relevant part, provides that “[n]o State shall . . . deprive any person of life, liberty, or property,
    without due process of law.” U.S. CONST. amend. XIV, § 1.
    The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution, in relevant part, provides “[t]he
    right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable
    searches and seizures, shall not be violated . . . .” U.S. CONST. amend. IV.
    The Ninth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that “[t]he enumeration
    in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by
    the people.” U.S. CONST. amend. IX.
    5
    II. PRELIMINARY OBJECTION
    In response to Burton’s Petition for Review, the DOC filed a preliminary
    objection in the nature of a demurrer. The DOC asserts that Burton failed to state a
    due process claim because inmate grievance systems, such as the DOC’s, are an
    adequate post-deprivation remedy and an inmate must exhaust the administrative
    grievance system in a complete and proper manner in compliance with critical
    procedural rules. (Preliminary Objections (PO) ¶ 11, citing Shore v. Pa. Dep’t of
    Corr., 
    168 A.3d 374
    , 378-87 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2017)). The DOC argues that Burton did
    not comply with the procedural rules requiring that he attach documentation proving
    his possession of the relevant property and that Burton’s “mere dissatisfaction with
    the outcome of a grievance proceeding” that afforded meaningful opportunities to
    respond does not amount to a denial of due process. (PO ¶¶ 14-15.) The DOC also
    avers that to the extent Burton’s Petition for Review asserts a Section 1983 claim
    against the DOC, his claim fails because “states and state agencies are not ‘persons’
    for purposes of Section 1983.” (Id. ¶ 17 (citing Will v. Mich. Dep’t of State Police,
    
    491 U.S. 58
    , 70-71 (1989); Warren v. Pa. Dep’t of Corr., 
    616 A.2d 140
    , 141-42 (Pa.
    Cmwlth. 1992)).)
    In its brief, the DOC further argues that Burton’s Fourth Amendment, Ninth
    Amendment, and DOC policy claims are frivolous, as: (1) “[t]he Fourth Amendment
    does not apply to prison cells because inmates do not have a reasonable expectation
    of privacy”; (2) “[t]he Ninth Amendment does not independently provide a source
    of individual constitutional right[s]”; and (3) DOC policy does not create rights in
    inmates under the Due Process Clause. (DOC’s Brief (Br.) at 14.)
    In response to the DOC’s preliminary objection, Burton avers that he alleged
    facts sufficient to establish that his procedural due process rights were violated.
    Burton argues that “inmate grievance systems are an[] adequate post-deprivation
    6
    remedy . . . only in those cases where the fact-finder conducts an actual investigation
    and reviews the property loss claim.” (Response to PO ¶ 6.) Burton asserts that
    “had a fact-finder reviewed or investigated his claims [to] even a minimal degree[,]
    it could be considered adequate for a prison standard,” but he argues that “the
    procedures employed at SCI[-]Houtzdale for review into his property loss were
    inadequate.” (Id. at ¶ 8.) Burton argues that the DOC deprived him of his right to
    procedural due process by confiscating and damaging his property and by rejecting
    his grievance due to his failure to comply with the procedural requirements under
    the DOC’s policy for post-deprivation remedy process. Burton asserts that he has
    demonstrated that procedural due process was not afforded to him and, specifically,
    “that the post-deprivation due process was not only inadequate, it was denied.”
    (Burton’s Br. at 2.) Finally, Burton agrees that to the extent his Petition for Review
    could be construed as raising a claim under Section 1983, this Court should construe
    it as such. (Response to PO ¶ 9.)
    We address the DOC’s claims in its preliminary objection in turn.
    III. DISCUSSION
    In ruling on preliminary objections in the nature of a demurrer, while the Court
    must “accept as true all well-pleaded material facts” and all inferences reasonably
    deducible therefrom, the Court is not required to accept as true legal conclusions,
    unwarranted factual inferences, argumentative allegations, or expressions of
    opinions. Armstrong Cnty. Mem’l Hosp. v. Dep’t of Pub. Welfare, 
    67 A.3d 160
    , 170
    (Pa. Cmwlth. 2013) (en banc). Because
    the sustaining of a demurrer results in a denial of the [petitioner’s] claim
    or a dismissal of [the petitioner’s] suit, a preliminary objection in the
    nature of a demurrer should be sustained only in cases that clearly and
    without a doubt fail to state a claim upon which relief may be granted.
    7
    Palmer v. Bartosh, 
    959 A.2d 508
    , 512 n.2 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2008).
    We begin with whether Burton has stated a claim for violation of his
    procedural due process rights. The Fourteenth Amendment to the United States
    Constitution provides that no “State [shall] deprive any person of life, liberty, or
    property, without due process of law.” U.S. CONST. amend. XIV, § 1. To maintain
    a due process challenge, a party must initially “establish the deprivation of a
    protected liberty or property interest.” Miller v. Workers’ Comp. Appeal Bd. (Pavex,
    Inc.), 
    918 A.2d 809
    , 812 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2007). If the party establishes a deprivation
    of a protected interest, the Court will consider what type of procedural mechanism
    is required to fulfill due process. 
    Id.
     For the purposes of this review, similar to the
    Court in Shore, we assume that the DOC deprived Burton of a legitimate property
    interest and focus on whether sufficient procedural protections were provided.
    Shore, 168 A.3d at 383.
    In reviewing the adequacy of the procedural protections provided, “[t]he
    amount of process due depends on the context presented.” Silo v. Ridge, 
    728 A.2d 394
    , 399 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1999). It is well-settled “that post-deprivation remedies
    satisfy the due process clause where the situation dictates that the State take
    immediate action or it is impracticable to provide any meaningful pre-deprivation
    process.” Shore, 168 A.3d at 383 (citing Tillman v. Lebanon Cnty. Corr. Facility,
    
    221 F.3d 410
    , 421 (3d Cir. 2000)).
    In Shore, we examined the adequacy of the DOC’s prison grievance system
    under due process and the requirements for a prisoner to state a proper procedural
    due process claim. There, an inmate brought a grievance after the DOC confiscated
    incoming photographs. The inmate argued that by not allowing him to view the
    photographs “and make meaningful arguments before an impartial tribunal,” the
    8
    DOC violated his procedural due process rights. Shore, 168 A.3d at 382. We
    explained that
    [w]hen a prison official confiscates a prisoner’s property in an allegedly
    unauthorized way, whether it be negligently or intentionally, due
    process requires only the existence of an adequate post-deprivation
    remedy because it is not feasible for a prison to provide a hearing prior
    to taking property that is perceived to be contraband or against prison
    regulations.
    Id. at 383 (emphasis added) (citing Hudson v. Palmer, 
    468 U.S. 517
    , 533-34 (1984)
    (holding “that an unauthorized intentional deprivation of property by a state
    employee does not constitute a violation of the procedural requirements of the Due
    Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment if a meaningful post[-]deprivation
    remedy for the loss is available”)). We further examined the DOC’s grievance
    procedure detailed in DC-ADM 804, the provision under which the DOC denied
    Burton’s claim in the present case, and stated that “[i]n a string of unreported
    decisions, this Court has concluded that the [DOC’s] grievance procedure in DC-
    ADM 804 is a constitutionally sufficient remedy with respect to inmates’ claims that
    the [DOC] unlawfully withheld and/or confiscated personal property.” Shore, 168
    A.3d at 383 (collecting cases).
    Shore further indicates that where there is a constitutionally adequate post-
    deprivation remedy, “an inmate must exhaust the administrative grievance system in
    a complete and ‘proper’ manner, and this necessitates compliance with ‘critical
    procedural rules.’” Id. (quoting Kittrell v. Watson, 
    88 A.3d 1091
    , 1095 (Pa. Cmwlth.
    2014)).   Particularly, “a prisoner must have utilized all available remedies in
    accordance with the applicable procedural rules, so that prison officials have been
    given an opportunity to address the claims administratively.” Id. at 383-84 (quoting
    9
    Moore v. Bennette, 
    517 F.3d 717
    , 725 (4th Cir. 2008)). Thus, in Shore, we held that
    there was no due process violation because the inmate did not properly exhaust his
    remedies in the grievance process, as he never actually had requested to review the
    confiscated photographs and nothing in DC-ADM 804 prohibited such a request.
    We explained that an inmate “cannot sit idly by during the grievance process and
    [then] complain that the procedure is deficient” before this Court. Id. at 384; see
    also Hammond v. Pa. Dep’t of Corr. (Pa. Cmwlth., No. 265 M.D. 2017, filed Feb.
    14, 2018), slip op. at 6 (holding that where a “policy is facially broad enough to
    allow an issue to be heard and relief to be granted, its procedure is presumptively
    both meaningful and adequate”) (quotations omitted).5 Thus, where an inmate is
    “afforded meaningful opportunities to respond” and “received written decisions
    from three different adjudicators within the” DOC, a claim for a violation of
    procedural due process will fail. Shore, 168 A.3d at 385. Accordingly, there is no
    procedural due process violation where there exists a constitutionally adequate post-
    deprivation remedy and the inmate fails to adhere to the DOC’s policy for proper
    procedure within the grievance system. Our decision in Shore controls here.
    In the present case, the DOC argues that Burton failed to take full advantage
    of the grievance policy by not complying with the procedural rules in place requiring
    that he attach proof of ownership of the property at issue. Burton filed his initial
    grievance on October 14, 2019, in which the DOC rejected the grievance on the
    grounds that Burton failed to comply with certain procedural requirements, namely,
    attaching proof of ownership for the property he claimed to be stolen or damaged.
    5
    Though Hammond is unreported, unreported decisions of this Court, while not binding,
    may be cited for their persuasive authority pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate Procedure
    126(b), Pa.R.A.P. 126(b), and Section 414(a) of this Court’s Internal Operating Procedures, 
    210 Pa. Code § 69.414
    (a).
    10
    Burton filed his second grievance on October 18, 2019, but again failed to attach the
    required documentation.          On October 24, 2019, Burton appealed to the
    superintendent.     Although Burton asked that the 15-day period to submit his
    grievance be excused, we note that the event about which Burton complains occurred
    on October 11 and Burton filed his appeal on October 24 with all of the required
    documentation. As the superintendent stated when rejecting Burton’s grievance
    appeal, that Burton was able to submit this appeal with all of the required documents
    within 15 days of the incident’s occurrence contradicts Burton’s claim that he lacked
    sufficient time to comply with the grievance procedures.
    Similar to the inmate in Shore, Burton “cannot sit idly by during the grievance
    process” by ignoring the procedural requirements for a proper grievance and then
    “complain that the procedure is deficient” before this Court. Shore, 168 A.3d at 384.
    Burton was “afforded meaningful opportunities to respond” by filing a proper
    grievance that complied with the procedural requirements and also “received written
    decisions from three different adjudicators” within the DOC explaining how his
    grievance was procedurally deficient. Id. at 385. Accordingly, Burton’s “mere
    dissatisfaction with the outcome . . . does not equate to a denial of due process.” Id.
    (citation omitted).6
    6
    In addition, even if it is assumed that the grievance procedure was constitutionally
    inadequate, Burton may have an available post-deprivation remedy in the form of a state tort law
    action against the DOC or the CO to obtain monetary damages for his destroyed or stolen property
    or return of the photographs of his late father—an averment that this Court finds particularly
    disturbing—if they were non-contraband personal property. See, e.g., Morales-Vasquez v. Pa.
    Dep’t of Corr. (Pa. Cmwlth., No. 253 M.D. 2019, filed July 28, 2020) (explaining that a common
    law action for conversion is an adequate post-deprivation remedy that precludes any action for a
    violation of due process); Hawkins v. Coleman Hall, C.C.F., 453 F. App’x 208, 210 (3d Cir. 2011)
    (same); Austin v. Lehman, 
    893 F. Supp. 448
    , 454 (E.D. Pa. 1995) (same).
    We have explained that
    (Footnote continued on next page…)
    11
    Therefore, Burton has failed to state a claim as a matter of law for a violation
    of due process, and, accordingly, we must sustain the DOC’s objection as to this
    claim.
    Related to Burton’s due process claim, the DOC also contends that to the
    extent that Burton states a constitutional violation that could be construed as properly
    brought under Section 1983, this claim also fails because the DOC is not a “person.”
    We agree.
    Section 1983 provides, in relevant part:
    [e]very person who, under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation,
    custom, or usage, of any State or Territory or the District of Columbia,
    subjects, or causes to be subjected, any citizen of the United States or
    other person within the jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of any
    [i]n Pennsylvania, a tort law remedy is available for the possession and/or
    destruction of non-contraband personal property by virtue of [S]ection 8522(b)(3)
    of what is commonly referred to as the Sovereign Immunity Act, which waives
    immunity for negligent acts concerning “[t]he care, custody or control of personal
    property in the possession or control of Commonwealth parties, including . . .
    property of persons held by a Commonwealth agency.”
    Shore, 168 A.3d at 385 n.6 (quoting 42 Pa.C.S. § 8522(b)(3)). Thus, even if we determined that
    the procedure provided for in DC-ADM 804 is a constitutionally inadequate post-deprivation
    remedy, Burton’s claim would be precluded by the availability of a tort claim for conversion
    against the DOC or the CO for damages from his destroyed or stolen property or return of the
    photographs of his deceased father.
    We note that, as discussed in Shore, “[a]lthough this Court has held in unpublished
    decisions that an inmate may not assert the intentional tort of conversion against employees of
    the [DOC], at least to the extent the claim alleges willful misconduct, conversion does not always
    rest on proof of specific intent to commit a wrong.” Id. (emphasis added) (citations omitted)
    (quotations omitted). Rather, “the tort may be based on good faith actions as well as the loss-
    occasioning carelessness resulting from [a] defendant's negligence for which damages may be
    recovered.” Id. (emphasis added) (citations omitted) (quotations omitted). Accordingly, while
    Burton’s claim of intentional wrongdoing would likely fail in a tort action, “it is possible that
    [Burton] has an adequate post-deprivation tort remedy against the [DOC’s] employees for the
    negligent possession and/or destruction of the photographs” of Burton’s deceased father. Id.
    (emphasis added) (citations omitted).
    12
    rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws,
    shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit in equity, or
    other proper proceeding for redress . . . .
    
    42 U.S.C. § 1983
     (emphasis added). Accordingly, to be subject to suit under Section
    1983, the DOC must qualify as a “person” within the meaning of the statute.
    However, “Section 1983 does not create substantive rights but, rather, is
    the vehicle for vindicating rights conferred in the United States Constitution or in
    federal statutes.” Jae v. Good, 
    946 A.2d 802
    , 809 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2008) (emphasis
    added) (citing Urbanic v. Rosenfeld, 
    616 A.2d 46
    , 52 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1992)). In this
    respect, the Supreme Court further has held that “a State is not a ‘person’ within
    the meaning of [Section] 1983” and that while “Section 1983 provides a . . . forum
    to remedy many deprivations of civil liberties, . . . it does not provide a . . . forum
    for litigants who seek a remedy against a State for alleged deprivations of civil
    liberties” due, in part, to State immunity under the Eleventh Amendment to the
    United States Constitution.7 Will, 
    491 U.S. at 65-66
     (emphasis added); Warren, 
    616 A.2d at 142
     (holding that neither the Commonwealth nor the DOC is a person subject
    to suit under Section 1983). Thus, we find that Burton cannot use Section 1983 as a
    vehicle for his due process claim against the DOC and sustain the DOC’s objection
    as to this claim.
    However, with respect to Burton’s remaining claims, because the DOC
    objected to Burton’s claims for violations of the Fourth Amendment, Ninth
    Amendment, and DOC policy only in its brief to this Court, rather than raising the
    matter in its preliminary objections, we decline to consider them further. See
    7
    The Eleventh Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that “[t]he Judicial
    power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced
    or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or
    Subjects of any Foreign State.” U.S. CONST. amend. XI.
    13
    Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1028(b), Pa.R.C.P. No. 1028(b) (“All
    preliminary objections shall be raised at one time.”); Buehl v. Beard, 
    54 A.3d 412
    ,
    415 n.2 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2012) (noting that the DOC “made other challenges to the
    petition for review in its brief, but this Court did not consider them because they
    were not raised in its preliminary objections”), aff’d, 
    91 A.3d 100
     (Pa. 2014).
    IV. CONCLUSION
    For the reasons stated, we sustain the DOC’s preliminary objection as to
    Burton’s due process and Section 1983 claims. Because the DOC did not file
    preliminary objections to Burton’s remaining claims, instead improperly raising its
    objections for the first time in its brief, the DOC is directed to file an answer to
    Burton’s remaining claims within 30 days.
    _____________________________________
    RENÉE COHN JUBELIRER, Judge
    14
    IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
    Michael Burton,                          :
    Petitioner      :
    :
    v.                    :   No. 705 M.D. 2019
    :
    Pennsylvania Department of               :
    Corrections,                             :
    Respondent        :
    ORDER
    NOW, February 9, 2021, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections’
    Preliminary Objection to the Petition for Review in the above-captioned matter is
    SUSTAINED as to Michael Burton’s due process and 
    42 U.S.C. § 1983
     claims. The
    Pennsylvania Department of Corrections is ordered to file its answer to the
    remaining claims in the Petition for Review within 30 days of this Order.
    _____________________________________
    RENÉE COHN JUBELIRER, Judge