Spiegla v. Hull.

• Position: Prison employee sues prison officials for retaliation for her free speech rights - Brief Article

U.S. Appeals Court

FREE SPEECH

RETALIATION

SCHEDULE

Spiegla v. Hull, 371 F.3d 928 (7th Cir. 2004). A state prison employee sued prison officials under [section] 1983 alleging that they changed her shift schedule and post assignment in retaliation for her exercise of her free speech rights. The district court entered summary judgment for the officials and the employee appealed. The appeals court reversed and remanded, finding that the employee's speech concerning alleged official misconduct was made as a private citizen on a matter of public concern, and she demonstrated that her comments were the substantial or motivating factor in her transfer and shift change. The employee's comments addressed her direct observations of prison...