The Puerto Rico Court of Appeals recently ruled in the case of Geovanny Ortiz Pérez v. Departamento De Corrección Y Rehabilitación, docket number TA2026RA00309. The court confirmed a decision made by the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation (DCR) regarding Ortiz Pérez's request to access his social file. This ruling impacts inmates' rights to review their records and the procedures governing such access.
Geovanny Ortiz Pérez, an inmate at the Guayama 1000 facility, filed a judicial review on June 3, 2026, after the DCR denied his request for access to his social file. Ortiz Pérez argued that he had requested this access from a social technician but had not received a timely response. The DCR's initial response indicated that Ortiz Pérez had been interviewed and that his request was handled according to established procedures.
The dispute began when Ortiz Pérez submitted his request for administrative remedy to the DCR on March 24, 2026. He claimed that he had not received a response to his request for access to his social file, which he believed was essential for his rehabilitation process. The DCR responded on May 4, 2026, indicating that his request was being processed but did not provide the access he sought. Ortiz Pérez then filed a request for reconsideration on May 12, 2026, arguing that the DCR's response did not address his request adequately.
On May 21, 2026, the DCR issued a reconsideration response denying Ortiz Pérez's request for access to his social file. The response stated that the access to such files must be facilitated through the social services technician, who would provide relevant information as needed. Dissatisfied with this ruling, Ortiz Pérez escalated the matter to the Court of Appeals.
The Court of Appeals, led by Judge Cintrón Cintrón and joined by Judges Rodríguez Flores and Díaz Rivera, upheld the DCR's decision. The court emphasized that administrative agencies like the DCR have specialized knowledge and experience in managing such matters, and their decisions are generally afforded a presumption of correctness. The court noted, "The acting of the DCR did not deviate from the prescribed procedures in the Manual. The appellant did not demonstrate that the DCR acted in an unreasonable, capricious, or illegal manner." This indicates that the court found the DCR's handling of Ortiz Pérez's request to be appropriate and within its regulatory framework.
The ruling is significant as it reinforces the standard that inmates must follow when seeking access to their records. The court highlighted that while inmates have a right to access their files, the process must adhere to the established protocols set by the DCR. The court's opinion noted that the DCR's actions were reasonable and consistent with their regulations, which aim to balance inmates' rights with institutional security concerns.
This ruling has broader implications for the rights of inmates in Puerto Rico. It clarifies the procedures that inmates must follow to access their records, emphasizing the role of social services technicians in this process. The court's decision may deter future challenges to similar administrative decisions, as it reinforces the deference that courts grant to administrative agencies in their specialized areas.
Looking ahead, Ortiz Pérez may consider appealing the ruling to a higher court, although details about the potential for further legal action were not available in the court filing. The case underscores ongoing discussions about the rights of incarcerated individuals and the balance between their rehabilitation needs and institutional regulations.
In conclusion, the Court of Appeals' decision in Geovanny Ortiz Pérez v. Departamento De Corrección Y Rehabilitación affirms the DCR's authority to regulate access to inmate records while highlighting the importance of following established procedures. This case serves as a reminder of the legal framework governing inmate rights and the complexities involved in accessing personal information within correctional institutions.