Hudson v. Palmer (1983)
- Docket
- 82-1630
- Decided
- 1983-01-01
Summary
Question: Did the search of Palmer's locker and cell violate the Fourth Amendment? Did prison officials deprive Palmer of his property in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment? Conclusion: The Court held that the Fourth Amendment proscription against unreasonable searches did not apply "within the confines of the prison cell." Noting that privacy was fundamentally incompatible with the maintenance of prison security and surveillance, the Court found that "the paramount interest in institutional security" outweighed all privacy concerns. The Court further held that "random and unauthorized" deprivations of property did not violate the Due Process Clause, so long as postdeprivation remedies were available.