After a guilty verdict, Haywood filed suit in a New York state court against two employees of the Attica Correctional facility to review the claims under 42 U.S.C.

The defendants moved to dismiss Haywood's claims based on a New York statute that banned inmates from filing suit against the "official capacities" of correctional officers of the state.

[1] Writing for the majority in favor of Haywood, Justice Stevens wrote the opinion of the Supreme Court.

The court noted that the New York statute was passed to protect correctional facilities employees against "frivolous" damages suits filed by inmates.

"[1] The case was argued by Jason E. Murtagh, an attorney with Dechert, for the Petitioner, and by Barbara D. Underwood for Respondent.