Corey Morris v. New Jersey Department of Corrections

── Corey Morris v. New Jersey Department of Corrections ── Court: New Jersey Superior Court Appellate Division Date: May 15, 2026 Category: General NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court ." Although it is posted on the internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited . R. 1:36-3. SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY APPELLATE DIVISION DOCKET NO. A-2071-24 COREY MORRIS, Appellant, v. NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, Respondent. __________________________ Submitted April 28, 2026 – Decided May 15, 2026 Before Judges DeAlmeida and Rosero. On appeal from the New Jersey Department of Corrections. Corey Morris, self-represented appellant. Jennifer Davenport, Attorney General, attorney for respondent (Deborah E. Wassel, Assistant Attorney General, of counsel; Elizabeth Merrill, Deputy Attorney General, on the brief). PER CURIAM  Corey Morris, an inmate at Northern State Prison, appeals from the January 30, 2025 final agency decision of the Department of Corrections (DOC) adjudicating Morris guilty of prohibited act *.002, assaulting any person, N.J.A.C. 10A:4-4.1(a)(1)(ii). We affirm. On December 12, 2024, while conducting a unit tour, a correctional officer observed Morris's cellmate, Craig Lassiter, lying on the bunk inside their cell, with bloodstains on Lassiter's sweatpants. Lassiter was ordered to step out of the cell and the officer noticed bruising and lacerations on Lassiter's face. Lassiter was escorted to the main medical bay for evaluation. When questioned about the injuries, Lassiter stated, "I was eating food then I woke up on the floor." The nurse examining Lassiter noticed a laceration on the lip and scratches and bruising on the neck and back. Lassiter claimed to have been struck by Morris on the back with a closed fist. Photos of Lassiter's injuries were taken. Another correctional officer escorted Morris to a frisk area. Reports note cuts on both hands and forearms, and blood on Morris's pants. Photos of Morris's injuries and sweatpants were taken. On December 13, 2024, DOC served Morris a copy of the disciplinary report charging Morris with prohibited act *.002 for assaulting Lassiter. The A-2071-24 2 matter was referred for further action. A hearing was set for January 2, 2025. Morris requested and was granted assistance of counsel substitute. The hearing was adjourned to January 8, 2025, to determine whether any video footage of the incident could be obtained. The adjudication report states no "[d]ocuments and physical evidence" were presented at the hearing indicating video was not obtained. On January 8, 2025, the hearing reconvened. Morris pleaded not guilty and was given the opportunity to make a statement and present witnesses, but declined. Neither Morris nor counsel substitute moved to introduce any documents during the hearing. Counsel substitute offered no statement but requested leniency. The Disciplinary Hearing Officer (DHO) reviewed the correctional officers' reports, Lassiter's statement, and photos taken. The DHO adjudicated Morris guilty of the charges finding the evidence supported the charge. Taking into consideration Morris's "moderate" past disciplinary history and DOC's goal to promote safety and security, the DHO sanctioned Morris to 150 days in the restorative housing unit; a 150-day loss of commutation time; a thirty-day loss of phone privileges; a thirty-day loss of Jpay and email privile