Cite as: 503 U. S. 1 (1992)
Thomas, J., dissenting
if available state remedies were not constitutionally adequate, petitioner would have a claim under the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Cf. Davidson v. Cannon, 474 U. S. 344, 348 (1986); Hudson v. Palmer, 468 U. S. 517, 532-534 (1984); Parratt v. Taylor, 451 U. S. 527, 541 (1981). I agree with respondents that this is the appropriate, and appropriately limited, federal constitutional inquiry in this case.
Because I conclude that, under our precedents, a prisoner seeking to establish that he has been subjected to cruel and unusual punishment must always show that he has suffered a serious injury, I would affirm the judgment of the Fifth Circuit.
White v. Phelps, 387 So. 2d 1188 (La. Ct. App. 1st Cir. 1980); Hampton v. State, 361 So. 2d 257, 258 (La. Ct. App. 1st Cir. 1978); Davis v. State, 356 So. 2d 452, 454 (La. Ct. App. 1st Cir. 1977); Betsch v. State, 353 So. 2d [358], 359 (La. Ct. App. 1st Cir. 1977), writ refused, 354 So. 2d 1389 (La. 1978); Williams v. State, 351 So. 2d 1273 (La. Ct. App. 1st Cir. 1977); Jones v. State, 346 So. 2d 807, 808 (La. Ct. App. 1st Cir.), writ refused, 350 So. 2d 671 (La. 1977); Walker v. State, 346 So. 2d 794, 796 (La. Ct. App. 1st Cir.), writ denied, 349 So. 2d 879 (La. 1977); Raney v. State, 322 So. 2d 890 (La. Ct. App. 1st Cir. 1975); and Bay v. Maggio, 417 So. 2d 1386 (La. Ct. App. 1st Cir. 1982)." Brief for Respondents 42-43, n. 38.
Petitioner has not disputed the existence or adequacy of state-law remedies for his injuries.
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