The following excerpt is from Goolsby v. Carrasco, CASE NO. 1:09-cv-01650 JLT (PC) (E.D. Cal. 2011):
It is well-established that "some form of regular outdoor exercise is extremely important to the psychological and physical well being of . . . inmates." Spain v. Procunier, 600 F.2d 189, 199 (9th Cir. 1979). Thus, complete denials of outdoor exercise for extended periods of time constitute objectively serious deprivations in violation of the Eighth Amendment. See Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1132-33 (9th Cir. 2000) (complete denial of outdoor exercise for six and a half weeks satisfies the Eighth
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Amendment's objective requirement); Toussaint v. Yockey, 722 F.2d 1490, 1493 (9th Cir. 1984) (complete denial of outdoor exercise for a period of over one year "raised a substantial constitutional question"); Spain, 600 F.2d 189, 199 (complete denial of outdoor exercise for four years constitutes a serious deprivation under the Eighth Amendment).
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