Full opinion text
DEBEVOISE, Senior District Judge. This case arises out of a November 14, 2003 altercation between Plaintiff, Michael Kounelis, and guards at the Northern State Prison (“NSP”), in Newark, New Jersey, where Kounelis was an inmate. Kounelis alleges that guards assaulted him in retaliation for complaints he had made against one of them and that they, and other Defendants, took further action against him that violated his First, Fifth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights. He brings his action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and also asserts certain state law claims. Defendants are Lydell Sherrer, NSP’s Administrator; Vincent Sanders, NSP’s Director of Custody Operations; Senior Corrections Officers (“SCO”) Carlos Atuncar, Nathaniel Bush, William Schwenk; Sergeants Frankie James and Canute Forde; Disciplinary Sergeant Carlos Perez; Captain Doris Sa-gebiel; and Lieutenant Eddie Cannon. Defendants contend that Kounelis assaulted a guard and resisted arrest and that none of his federal or state law rights were violated. Coloring this controversy is the loss of video surveillance footage, purportedly portraying the assault, that was recorded onto a DVR hard drive but not transferred to a more permanent medium. The circumstances of the November 14, 2003 altercation are hotly contested, rendering the video highly relevant. Its loss has been the source of much of the litigation in this case — including the current motions. Now before the Court are the parties’ cross-appeals of Magistrate Judge Shwartz’s order of October 2, 2007, granting in part and denying in part Kounelis’s application for spoliation sanctions against Defendants; Kounelis’s motion for summary judgment against Sergeants Forde and Perez for violation of his due process rights; and Defendants’ second motion to dismiss, or in the alternative, motion for summary judgment. For the reasons set forth below, the Magistrate Judge’s order will be reversed in part and affirmed in part; Kounelis’s motion for summary judgment will be denied; and Defendants’ motion to dismiss, or in the alternative, for summary judgment will be denied in part and granted in part. I. BACKGROUND A. The November 14, 2003 Altercation Most of the background facts are set forth in a Stipulation of the parties contained in the Final Pretrial Order. On the morning of November 14, 2003, Kounelis was in the prison doctor’s office when he was informed that he had a visitor. On receiving this information, Kounelis proceeded from the doctor’s office in the North Compound of the prison to the South Compound to get a pass to meet with his visitor. In order to reach the South Compound from the North Compound, inmates are required to pass through a frisk machine located in the center of the Education Department (“E/D area”). As in other areas of the NSP, surveillance video cameras are mounted on the walls of the E/D area and two cameras in the upper northwest and upper southeast corners of the E/D area are directed towards the frisk machine in the center. As Kounelis passed through the frisk machine, an altercation between Kounelis and members of NSP staff ensued. According to Kounelis, he was assaulted by SCO Atuncar. Kounelis submits that the assault was in retaliation for complaints that Kounelis had filed against SCO Atun-car on September 4 and September 11, 2003. The Defendants’ account differs dramatically. Defendants contend that as Koun-elis was passing through the E/D area, he began shouting obscenities at SCO Schwenk and that as Kounelis passed through the frisk machine, he intentionally bumped SCO Schwenk in the chest with his right shoulder. SCOs Schwenk and Bush then restrained Kounelis, forcing him to the ground while other officers, including Sergeant James and Lieutenant' Cannon, responded to the emergency situation. Following the altercation, Kounelis was placed in prehearing detention. Kounelis was then taken to NSP’s medical facility where he was examined by the medical staff, and one of the nurses recorded his injuries. A medical report dated November 14, 2003 states that Kounelis suffered a right index finger laceration and a left check bone injury. A doctor’s examination on November 19, 2003 further reports that Kounelis was suffering from a lower back sprain and had abrasions on both knees and on his left cheek. Kounelis was issued a disciplinary infraction for assaulting any person for his alleged assault of SCO Schwenk. Sergeant Forde, acting as the Disciplinary Sergeant on November 15, 2003, was responsible for investigating the disciplinary charges lodged against inmates and-gathering evidence related to the charges. He served Kounelis with a copy of the disciplinary charge and then concluded his investigation shortly thereafter. The disciplinary charge contained the statement of SCO Schwenk that Kounelis bumped into SCO Schwenk’s chest as Kounelis was passing through the frisk machine in the E/D area and the statement of SCO Bush that he had witnessed the event. On receiving the disciplinary charge, Kounelis maintains that he informed Sergeant Forde that the statements contained in the charge were incorrect because it was not SCO Schwenk, but rather SCO Atuncar, who had assaulted him. Kounelis further maintains that at this time he asked Sergeant Forde for a copy of the surveillance footage in order to prove his version of the events. According to Captain Antonio Campos, Defendants’ Rule 30(b)(6) witness, the surveillance system at the NSP records surveillance footage onto a digital video recorder (“DVR”). The footage is only stored on the DVR hard drive for approximately seven to ten days before it is overwritten on the hard drive by new footage. In order for surveillance footage to be preserved, it must be downloaded and recorded onto a video tape. NSP policy permits inmates to request a copy of surveillance footage for use at a disciplinary hearing and recordings are routinely made on request for later use at various types of administrative proceedings. Sergeant Forde, however, has no recollection of being asked for the surveillance footage. In addition, Sergeant Forde’s report contains no notation that such a request was made. Defendants submit that this is because the request was never made. Because the report contained no notation, Sergeant Perez, who took over the investigation of Kounelis’s disciplinary infraction on November 17, 2003, claims that he did not know that a request for surveillance footage had been made. Kounelis also claims to have requested a copy of the surveillance footage from Hearing Officer Gary Styer. Kounelis met with Hearing Officer Styer on several occasions prior to the disciplinary hearing. In addition to making verbal requests for the surveillance footage, Kounelis submitted written confrontation questions to be used at the disciplinary hearing which referred to the surveillance footage. Yet no copy of the surveillance footage was ever provided to Kounelis. A prison disciplinary hearing was held on December 5, 2003. Kounelis pleaded “not guilty” to the disciplinary charge of assaulting any person. After hearing the evidence, including SCO Bush’s corroborative account of the altercation, Hearing Officer Styer modified the charge against Kounelis from assault to unauthorized contact. Kounelis was then found guilty of unauthorized contact and sanctioned with fifteen days detention. Kounelis appealed the adverse decision within the NSP, filed a claim for tort damages with New Jersey Bureau of Risk Management, and filed additional administrative complaints against SCO Atuncar. In the administrative complaints, Kounelis stated that SCO Atuncar had warned him not to file a civil action regarding the November 14, 2003 incident or else he would be taught another lesson. Kounelis also requested that his cell be relocated to an area of the NSP farther away from SCO Atuncar. B. The § 1983 Action When none of these administrative actions yielded a favorable result, Kounelis filed a pro se complaint on September 27, 2004. The six counts of the Complaint seek relief, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, for violations of Kounelis’s First, Fifth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights and compensation for intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence. In his Complaint, Kounelis alleges that he was assaulted by SCOs Atuncar, Schwenk, and Bush because he filed administrative complaints against SCO Atuncar. The Complaint explains that on September 4, 2003, Kounelis filed an Administrative Remedy Form stating that SCO Atuncar denied him access to the NSP law library because he was allegedly wearing improper footwear. On September 11, 2003, Kounelis claims that he was again denied entry to the law library by SCO Atuncar, who warned him not to file any more complaints. Kounelis reported this interaction in another Administrative Remedy Form, which described how SCO Atuncar had threatened to set Kounelis up and retaliate against him through his subordinates if Kounelis continued to file complaints against him. Kounelis further alleges that SCO Atun-car carried out his threats by attacking him as he passed through the E/D area on November 14, 2003, and that, to cover up the assault, SCOs Atuncar, Schwenk, and Bush caused a false disciplinary infraction for assault to be issued against him. Finally, the Complaint alleges that Kounelis made repeated requests to several members of NSP staff for a copy of the surveillance footage from the E/D area, but that a copy of the video was never produced. In response to Kounelis’s Complaint, Defendants filed a motion for summary judgment, or in the alternative, to dismiss for failure to state a claim. In an opinion issued on September 5, 2005, the Court denied Defendants’ motion to dismiss and granted in part and denied in part Defendants’ motion for summary judgment. Kounelis v. Sherrer, 2005 WL 2175442, 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20070 (D.N.J. Sept. 5, 2005). The Court found that the Complaint stated a claim for excessive force under the Eighth Amendment and therefore denied Defendants’ motion to dismiss. The Court also denied Defendants’ motion for summary judgment on the ground that Kounelis had failed to exhaust his administrative remedies. Finally, the Court denied Defendants’ motion for summary judgment on the grounds that Sergeant James, Sergeant Perez, SCO Schwenk, and SCO Bush were entitled to a qualified immunity defense because the Complaint sufficiently alleged that Defendants had violated a clearly established constitutional right. Summary judgment was granted, however, in favor of Administrator Sherrer and Director of Custody Operations Sanders, because the Complaint contains no allegations of their personal involvement in the denial of Kounelis’s constitutional rights and vicarious liability cannot be used to impose liability under § 1983. While the Defendants’ motion to dismiss was pending, Kounelis moved to amend his Complaint. On October 20, 2005, then Magistrate Judge Wigenton granted the motion in part. Kounelis v. Sherrer, 396 F.Supp.2d 525 (D.N.J.2005). By the Magistrate Judge’s order, Kounelis was permitted to add Captain Doris Sagebiel and Lieutenant Eddie Cannon as Defendants and supplement his Complaint with allegations that Captain Sagebiel and Lieutenant Cannon retaliated against him for proceeding with his civil action. Specifically, Kounelis included allegations that on October 22, 2004, not long after the original Complaint was filed, Captain Sagebiel and Lieutenant Cannon ordered a search of his cell. Following the search, Kounelis was required to submit to a urine drug test and issued a disciplinary infraction. The charge, however, was dismissed because the urine test was deemed improperly authorized. Indeed, the hearing officer stated that in the future, the charging officers needed to do a better job explaining why a drug test was needed before subjecting the inmate to the urine test. Despite the finding of not guilty, Kounelis spent eleven days in administrative segregation. Kounelis also included allegations that on March 17, 2005, two weeks after Defendants were served with summonses, Captain Sagebiel and Lieutenant Cannon ordered another search of his cell. Again, following the search, Kounelis was required to submit to a urine drug test and was placed in administrative segregation while disciplinary charges were pending against him. The charges, however, were again dismissed and Kounelis was returned to his cell after spending twelve days in administrative segregation. Finally, Kounelis included allegations that on May 20, 2005, just over a month after Kounelis moved for a Default Judgment to be entered against Defendants, Captain Sagebiel and Lieutenant Cannon ordered a third search of his cell. Following the May 20 search, Kounelis was again required to submit a urine sample for a drug test and was charged with the use of a prohibited substance. Following the addition of Kounelis’s new allegations, discovery commenced. Koun-elis maintains that he pursued discovery from Defendants and various third-parties, but that Defendants frustrated his efforts and caused significant delay. Most notably, Defendants initially refused to make any of their witnesses available for deposition. Indeed, Defendants did not appear at appropriately noticed depositions until Magistrate Judge Hedges entered an order on February 13, 2007 requiring that Defendants appear for depositions and that Defendants produce a Rule 30(b)(6) witness to testify regarding the surveillance system at the prison. Despite the Magistrate Judge’s order, further delay ensued. Defendants finally produced Jose Raboy, an Investigator in the Special Investigations Division, as their Rule 30(b)(6) witness for deposition on June 4, 2007. Raboy, however, had done virtually nothing to prepare for the deposition and knew little about the NSP’s video surveillance system. Because Raboy was unable to testify about the subject matter identified in the Rule 30(b)(6) deposition notice, Kounelis requested that Defendants produce another witness with the requisite knowledge. Defendants refused. Thus Kounelis had no other alternative but to return to court and apply for an order compelling Defendants to designate a new Rule 30(b)(6) witness who was properly prepared to answer questions about the NSP’s video surveillance system. C. The Magistrate Judge’s Opinion and Order At the conclusion of discovery, Kounelis filed an informal application for sanctions based on Defendants’ failure to preserve the video surveillance footage taken by cameras in the E/D area on November 14, 2003. An evidentiary hearing was held before Magistrate Judge Shwartz on September 24, 2007. The evidentiary hearing lasted more than four hours, during which the Magistrate Judge admitted eleven exhibits into evidence and heard testimony from six witnesses: Kounelis, Captain Antonio Campos, Defendants’ Rule 30(b)(6) witness; Discipline Hearing Officer Gary Styer; Administrator Sherrer; Sergeant Perez; and Sergeant Forde. On October 2, 2007, after carefully considering the hearing testimony and evidence, the Magistrate Judge entered an oral opinion into the record and issued an order that granted in part and denied in part Kounelis’s request for sanctions. In reaching the ultimate conclusion that Defendants were responsible for the spoliation of evidence, the Magistrate Judge first found, based on the testimony of Captain Campos, that the cameras in the E/D area would have captured any events occurring near or around the frisk machine on November 14, 2003. (Op. Tr. at 4.) In addition, the Magistrate Judge found that in order for surveillance footage to be preserved, it must be recorded on to a VHS tape before the footage is overwritten on the DVR hard drive and that such a recording would only occur following a request from the custody officers, the prison administration, or by the special investigation division. Id. Finally, the Magistrate Judge found that no request to record the surveillance footage from November 14, 2003 had been made. (Op. Tr. at 5.) Despite the finding that Captain Campos had received no request to record the surveillance footage from November 14, 2003 and Sergeant Forde’s testimony that he could not recall whether Kounelis had requested a copy of the surveillance footage, the Magistrate Judge found that requests for a copy of the surveillance footage had been made in the days following the November 14, 2003 altercation. (Op. Tr. at 5.) In reaching this finding, the Magistrate Judge looked to Kounelis’s undisputed testimony that he verbally requested a copy of the surveillance footage from Sergeant Forde when Sergeant Forde served him with the disciplinary charge. In addition, the Magistrate Judge found that a request had been made to Hearing Officer Styer on November 20, 2003, six days after the incident, both verbally and by way of written questions submitted for the purpose of confrontation at the disciplinary hearing. The Magistrate Judge also relied on Hearing Officer Styer’s notes from his meeting with Kounelis on November 25, 2003, which stated that Kounelis wanted to see a video of the incident (Op. Tr. at 8-9) and an affidavit signed by Kounelis on November 30, 2003 which attested that Kounelis had asked Sergeant Forde for a copy of the footage during his investigation of the incident (Op. Tr. at 5). Based primarily on the finding that Kounelis had requested a copy of the surveillance footage, the Magistrate Judge concluded that Defendants were under a duty to preserve the footage as relevant evidence. (Op. Tr. at 19.) Having determined that Defendants had a duty to preserve the surveillance footage, the Magistrate Judge reviewed the evidence and found that no copy of the surveillance tape was in existence or probably ever had been in existence. The Magistrate Judge surmised that the surveillance footage was likely overwritten because no effort had been made to transfer it from the DVR hard drive to a VHS tape for preservation. (Op. Tr. at 13.) In addition, the Magistrate Judge noted that no testimony was offered by Defendants to explain why, despite the documented interest in a copy of the surveillance footage, no action had been taken to preserve the footage. (Op. Tr. at 13.) Thus, having concluded that Defendants had an obligation to preserve the surveillance footage and that the evidence was lost, the Magistrate Judge then considered what, if any, sanctions should be imposed on Defendants for the loss of the evidence. (Op. Tr. at 21.) The Magistrate Judge explained that the imposition of sanctions is left to the discretion of the court after considering the degree of fault of the party that destroyed the evidence, the degree of prejudice suffered by the opposing party, and whether the sanction balances fairness to the opposing party and deterrence to the offending party. (Op. Tr. at 22.) In considering the first of the three factors, the Magistrate Judge found that Defendants were to blame for the loss of the surveillance footage. (Op. Tr. at 23.) Next, the Magistrate Judge concluded that Kounelis was prejudiced by the loss of objective evidence, but not irreparably, because Kounelis was still able to testify as to his version of the events. (Op. Tr. at 25.) Finally, the Magistrate Judge determined that preventing Defendants from offering their version of the events of November 14, 2003 at trial, as Kounelis had requested, would be too severe a sanction because it would be tantamount to denying Defendants the ability to defend against Kounelis’s claims. (Op. Tr. at 26.) Therefore the Magistrate Judge denied Kounel-is’s request that Defendants be precluded from introducing evidence. Having determined that exclusion of Defendants’ evidence was too extreme, the Magistrate Judge then considered whether the lesser sanction of an adverse inference was appropriate. (Op. Tr. at 27.) Applying the elements of the adverse inference to the evidence in the record, the Magistrate Judge concluded that an adverse inference was not appropriate under the circumstances because it would overcompensate Kounelis for the harm caused by the spoliation. (Op. Tr. at 30.) The Magistrate Judge reasoned that an adverse inference was tantamount to a directed verdict because it took too much from the fact-finder. (Op. Tr. at 31.) Therefore the Magistrate Judge denied Kounelis’s request for an adverse inference charge. Next, the Magistrate Judge considered whether monetary sanctions would be appropriate. (Op. Tr. at 33.) The Magistrate Judge found that a great deal of time was spent both by Kounelis in his pro se status and by his counsel chasing after the surveillance footage throughout discovery and culminating in the evidentiary hearing. (Op. Tr. at 34.) Indeed, the Magistrate Judge noted that a memorandum dated September 2, 2004, which was sent to Kounelis by the Acting Chief Investigator of the Special Investigations Division in response to Kounelis’s communication to then Attorney General Peter G. Harvey regarding Kounelis’s allegations of harassment, abuse, and the subsequent cover up, appeared, albeit somewhat ambiguously, to indicate that investigators of Kounelis’s allegations may have reviewed a tape of the surveillance footage. (Op. Tr. at 12.) Upon receipt of this memorandum, the Magistrate Judge described how Kounelis then expended unnecessary time by submitting further requests for a copy of the surveillance footage, only to be informed by letter dated September 8, 2004 that no tape of the footage from November 14, 2003 existed. (Op. Tr. at 13.) In addition, the Magistrate Judge noted that time could have been saved if Defendants had not suggested in their reply brief, submitted in support of their first motion to dismiss, that surveillance footage had been reviewed by NSP officers. (Op. Tr. at 35.) The Magistrate Judge described a section of Defendants’ reply brief as contending that surveillance videos contained confidential information and to disclose such footage would somehow compromise the security of the prison. Id. The Magistrate Judge stated that these assertions regarding confidentiality seemed to presuppose that a tape was in existence and that it had been reviewed by officers within NSP. (Op. Tr. at 35.) But, the Magistrate Judge continued, the evidence clearly revealed that no tape is, or ever was, in existence. (Op. Tr. at 36.) On the basis of these findings, the Magistrate Judge concluded that monetary sanctions were appropriate to compensate Kounelis and his counsel for the resources expended and to assist in deterring future conduct. (Op. Tr. at 34.) The Magistrate Judge refused, however, to grant Kounel-is’s application for attorneys’ fees. In refusing this request, the Magistrate Judge noted that Kounelis was represented by pro bono counsel and that nothing had been brought to her attention that supported the award of attorneys’ fees as a spoliation sanction where the injured party was represented by pro bono counsel. Id. After reaching these conclusions, the Magistrate Judge issued an order implementing her findings. Specifically, it was ordered that Defendants pay all of Kounel-is’s costs associated with discovery concerning the videotape and the evidentiary hearing and that Defendants pay $3,000 to the District of New Jersey’s pro bono fund. The Magistrate Judge denied, however, Kounelis’s application for attorneys’ fees and Kounelis’s request for an adverse inference as a result of the finding of spoliation. The Magistrate Judge also denied Kounelis’s request to preclude Defendants from introducing evidence concerning Kounelis’s actions in the E/D area. Finally, it was ordered, that nothing precluded Kounelis from introducing evidence of his request for a copy of the surveillance footage or Defendants’ failure to preserve or produce it and arguing that the jury draw inferences on the basis of those facts. II. APPEAL OF THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE’S ORDER Both parties appeal the Magistrate Judge’s October 2, 2007 order. Defendants object to the Magistrate Judge’s finding that they were under a duty to preserve evidence and therefore claim that it was error for the Magistrate Judge to impose any sanctions against them for spoliation of evidence. For his part, Kounelis seeks review' of the Magistrate Judge’s refusal to grant a spoliation inference and the Magistrate Judge’s denial of his application for attorneys’ fees. For the reasons set forth below, the Court concludes that Defendants had a duty to preserve evidence and therefore spoliation sanctions are appropriate; that an adverse inference jury charge is warranted; that Kounelis is entitled to an award of attorneys’ fees; and that Defendants should be relieved of their obligation to pay $3,000 to the District of New Jersey’s pro bono fund. A. Standard of Review under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 72 Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 72(a) and Local Civil Rule 72.1(a), a magistrate judge is permitted to hear and determine non-dispositive matters. When appropriate, a magistrate judge is permitted to “issue a written order stating the decision” on non-dispositive matters. Fed. R.Civ.P. 72(a). Non-dispositive matters include evidentiary rulings, Gunter v. Ridgewood Energy Corp., 32 F.Supp.2d 162, 164 (D.N.J.1998), pretrial discovery matters, Andrews v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 191 F.R.D. 59, 68 (D.N.J.2000), and the imposition of sanctions for discovery abuses, Wachtel v. Guardian Life Ins. Co., 232 F.R.D. 213, 217 (D.N.J.2005). See also L. Civ. R. 72.1 cmt. 3 (listing various types of non-dispositive motions). Any party who objects to a magistrate judge’s order on a non-dispositive matter may file objections within ten days of service of the order. Fed.R.Civ.P. 72(a); L. Civ. R. 72.1(c)(1). The district judge assigned to the case is required to “consider timely objections and modify or set aside any part of the order that is clearly erroneous or is. contrary to law.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 72(a). A magistrate judge’s finding is clearly erroneous when, although there may be some evidence to support it, the reviewing court, after considering the entirety of the evidence, is “left with the definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been committed.” Dome Petroleum Ltd. v. Employers Mut. Liab. Ins. Co., 131 F.R.D. 63, 65 (D.N.J.1990) (quoting United States v. U.S. Gypsum Co., 333 U.S. 364, 395, 68 S.Ct. 525, 92 L.Ed. 746 (1948)). A ruling is contrary to law if the magistrate judge has misinterpreted or misapplied applicable law. Gunter, 32 F.Supp.2d at 164. The burden of showing that a ruling is “clearly erroneous or contrary to law rests with the party filing the appeal.” Marks v. Struble, 347 F.Supp.2d 136, 149 (D.N.J.2004). However, “[w]here a magistrate judge is authorized to exercise his or her discretion, the decision will be reversed only for an abuse of discretion.” Rhett v. N.J. State, 2007 WL 1456199, **1-2, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 35350, at *4 (D.N.J. May 14, 2007). B. Duty to Preserve Evidence Before sanctions for spoliation can be imposed, it must be determined whether the duty to preserve evidence has been triggered. An independent duty to preserve relevant evidence arises when the party in possession of the evidence knows that litigation by the party seeking the evidence is pending or probable and the party in possession of the evidence can foresee the harm or prejudice that would be caused to the party seeking the evidence if the evidence were to be discarded. See Joe Hand Promotions v. Sports Page Cafe, 940 F.Supp. 102, 104 n. 13 (D.N.J.1996); see also Baliotis v. McNeil, 870 F.Supp. 1285, 1290 (M.D.Pa.1994). If, however, the duty to preserve evidence has not been triggered at the time the evidence was destroyed, then there can be no spoliation. In this case, the Magistrate Judge found that Defendants’ duty to preserve evidence had been triggered. After reviewing the record, the Court concludes that the Magistrate Judge’s conclusion as to the Defendants’ duty to preserve evidence is neither erroneous nor contrary to law. Ample evidence supports the Magistrate Judge’s determination that Defendants’ duty to preserve evidence had been triggered. First, there can be no question that the surveillance footage was relevant, not only to the current litigation, but also to the pending disciplinary proceeding. The surveillance footage is the most cited objective evidence in this highly contested dispute over who instigated the altercation in the E/D area on November 14, 2003. Furthermore, Defendants were aware that a disciplinary hearing was imminent. Indeed, Sergeant Forde served Kounelis with the disciplinary charge on the day following the altercation. Finally, Defendants should have been able to foresee the harm or prejudice that would have been caused to Kounelis by the non-preservation of the evidence. In a case of one person’s word against the word of another, the unbiased eye of a surveillance camera would lend a great deal of credibility to one side’s version of the events. Moreover, the record clearly establishes that preservation of surveillance footage for use at disciplinary or other administrative proceedings is commonplace within the NSP and that Kounelis requested preservation of the surveillance footage from several members of NSP staff. Thus, as the Magistrate Judge correctly observed, given the seriousness of the disciplinary charge, the divergent accounts of the events, the high degree of relevance of the evidence, the immanence of the disciplinary proceeding, the repeated requests for production of the evidence, and the ordinary and routine nature of the request, it is beyond a doubt that under the particular circumstances of this case, Defendants’ duty to preserve the surveillance footage was indeed triggered. C. Spoliation Sanctions are Appropriate Having concluded that Defendants had a duty to preserve evidence, the Court must next determine whether the Magistrate Judge erred in her conclusion that Defendants should be sanctioned for spoliation of evidence. Spoliation is the “destruction or significant alteration of evidence, or the failure to preserve property for another’s use as evidence in pending or reasonably foreseeable litigation.” Mosaid Tech. Inc. v. Samsung Elec. Co., 348 F.Supp.2d 332, 335 (D.N.J.2004). Spoliation occurs when a party has intentionally or negligently breached its duty to preserve potentially discoverable evidence. To provide redress to the party harmed by spoliation, as well as to punish the spoliator, a court may impose appropriate sanctions pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the court’s inherent powers. Id. Sanctions for spoliation include: “dismissal of a claim or granting judgment in favor of a prejudiced party; suppression of evidence; an adverse inference, referred to as the spoliation inference; fines; and attorneys’ fees and costs.” Id. In determining whether spoliation sanctions are appropriate, the two key considerations are the “degree of fault of the party who altered or destroyed the evidence” and “the degree of prejudice suffered by the opposing party.” Schmid v. Milwaukee Elec. Tool Corp., 13 F.3d 76, 79 (3d Cir.1994). In this case, the Magistrate Judge found that some form of spoliation sanctions were warranted because Defendants were to blame for the loss of the evidence and because Kounelis would be prejudiced by its loss. Spoliation sanctions are warranted by the circumstances of this case. As the Magistrate Judge’s findings show, Defendants are at fault for the loss of the evidence. There is no dispute that Defendants were in control of the DVR hard drive that contained the surveillance footage. Furthermore, the Magistrate Judge found that Kounelis made several requests for a copy of the footage and that no effort was made on the part of Defendants to follow up on Kounelis’s requests. Kounelis will also be prejudiced by a loss of the evidence. Now, instead of having objective evidence that could corroborate his version of events, Kounelis is left with his word against the word of Defendants. D. Spoliation Inference Having concluded that some form of spoliation sanction is warranted, the Court now considers whether the Magistrate Judge abused her discretion in denying Kounelis’s request for an adverse inference. An adverse inference for spoliation of evidence, or a spoliation inference, “permits a jury to infer that destroyed evidence might or would have been unfavorable to the position of the offending party.” Mosaid, Tech. Inc., 348 F.Supp.2d at 336. The spoliation inference is a permissive inference that is predicated on the “common sense observation” that when a party to an adversarial proceeding destroys relevant evidence it is likely done out of fear that the evidence would be harmful to that party. Id. Because of the implication that the destroyed evidence would harm the destroying party, the spoliation inference serves the remedial function of leveling the playing field after a party has destroyed or withheld relevant evidence. Id. at 338. As such, the spoliation inference can be seen as primarily remedial in nature, as opposed to punitive. Four elements must be satisfied in order for a party to be entitled to an adverse inference. First, the destroyed evidence must be found to have been in the alleged spoliator’s control. Mosaid Tech. Inc., 348 F.Supp.2d at 336. Second, it must “appear that there has been actual suppression or withholding of the evidence.” Id. Third, the destroyed evidence must be found to be relevant to a claim or defense of the party seeking the evidence. Id. Finally, it must have been reasonably foreseeable to the spoliator that the evidence would be subject to discovery. Id. A court, after finding all of these elements, has the discretion to impose an adverse inference against the party responsible for the spoliation in order to level the playing field for the injured party. Kounelis, in his appeal from the Magistrate Judge’s order, argues that in light of the Magistrate Judge’s findings, it was an abuse of discretion for the adverse inference to be denied. As an initial matter, Kounelis disputes the Magistrate Judge’s conclusion that Kounelis will not suffer prejudice because he will be able to testify to his version of the events. To the contrary, Kounelis argues that he will indeed be prejudiced by the loss of the objective evidence without the adverse inference. In addition, Kounelis submits that an adverse inference is not the equivalent of a directed verdict and that it was error for the Magistrate Judge to consider the effect of the adverse inference on his due process claim. Kounelis therefore asserts that because all of the elements of an adverse inference have been satisfied, he is entitled to a spoliation inference. Kounelis is not entitled to an adverse inference simply on the basis of the Magistrate Judge’s finding that all of the elements of the adverse inference have been met. “There is no rule of law mandating a particular sanction upon a finding of improper destruction or loss of evidence; rather, such a decision is left to the discretion of the court.” Jama v. Esmor Corr. Serv., 2007 WL 1847385, **46-47, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 45706, at *126 (D.N.J. Jun. 25, 2007). Thus a magistrate judge may, despite a finding that all of the elements entitling a party to an adverse inference have been met, exercise her discretion and decide not to grant a request for an adverse inference. Here, however, it was an abuse of discretion to deny the request for an adverse inference charge. Kounelis’s testimony is challenged by the testimony of an array of SCOs, thus putting the word of a convicted felon against the collective testimony of the prison authorities. In these circumstances, the Magistrate Judge’s finding that Kounelis would not be irreparably prejudiced because he could testify cannot be sustained. Moreover, an adverse inference would not be tantamount to a directed verdict. Furthermore, there is no “lesser sanction that will avoid substantial unfairness to [Kounelis].” Schmid, 13 F.3d at 79. As a permissive inference, the spoliation inference is primarily remedial because it serves to “level[ ] the playing field after a party has destroyed or withheld evidence.” Mosaid Tech. Inc., 348 F.Supp.2d at 338. And as a permissive inference, a jury is allowed, but not required, to draw the common sense conclusion. Thus, the adverse inference merely informs a jury that it is permitted to infer that the destroyed evidence might have been unfavorable to Defendants’ position, which is something that the Magistrate Judge indicated that Kounelis would be able to argue despite her denial. In addition, granting the adverse inference does not prevent Defendants from producing evidence at trial to counter the inference. Accordingly, the Court will reverse the Magistrate Judge’s order denying Kounelis’s request for an adverse inference and will instruct the jury at trial that it is permitted to infer that the footage captured by the surveillance cameras was unfavorable to Defendants. E. Attorneys’ Fees and Costs In addition to the adverse inference issue, Kounelis appeals the Magistrate Judge’s refusal to award attorneys’ fees on the grounds that his counsel is acting pro bono as contrary to law. Kounelis argues that it is improper to deny attorneys’ fees where they are otherwise warranted simply because of the pro bono nature of counsel’s representation. Therefore, Kounelis asks the Court to reverse the Magistrate Judge’s denial of his request and award him attorneys’ fees. Defendants, for their part, object to the Magistrate Judge’s imposition of discovery costs as clearly erroneous. According to Defendants, any sanction relating to their conduct during discovery is inappropriate because they have consistently maintained that no tape of the surveillance footage existed. Therefore, Defendants ask for reversal of the Magistrate Judge’s imposition of monetary sanctions. A review of the record reveals that the Magistrate Judge committed no error in imposing a monetary sanction against Defendants and awarding Kounelis costs associated with the discovery of the surveillance footage. As the Magistrate Judge correctly stated, monetary sanctions are used to compensate a party for “the time and effort it was forced to expend in an effort to obtain discovery” to which it was entitled. Mosaid Tech. Inc., 348 F.Supp.2d at 339. In this litigation, an excessive and unnecessary amount of time was spent by Kounelis and his counsel chasing Defendants on the issue of the surveillance footage. Indeed, as the Magistrate Judge noted, just prior to Kounelis filing his Complaint, he received a communication from the Acting Chief Investigator of the Special Investigations Division, which, in its ambiguity, suggested that a tape of the altercation may have at one time been in existence. Additionally, Defendants’ assertions in their reply brief submitted in support of their first motion to dismiss and motion for summary judgment seemed to presuppose the existence of the surveillance footage. These assertions regarding the confidential nature of surveillance footage further suggested that surveillance footage had been reviewed by NSP officers but would not be turned over to Kounelis for security reasons. Not only were these assertions not representative of reality, they demonstrated a lack of candor towards Kounelis and the Court, and required Kounelis to expend additional time and effort in order to confirm the fact of the footage’s nonexistence and earlier obliteration. Although not mentioned in the Magistrate Judge’s opinion, the Court also notes Defendants’ uncooperative conduct in producing a Rule 30(b)(6) witness. Not only did Defendants delay in producing a person with knowledge of the prison’s surveillance system, but when a Rule 30(b)(6) witness was eventually produced, he was unprepared and unable to answer counsel’s questions. When Defendants refused to produce another witness, Kounelis was required to go before the Magistrate Judge and receive an order that Defendants produce a suitable Rule 30(b)(6) witness. Only after the deposition of Captain Campos was Kounelis able to be certain that no tape was ever made of the November 14 incident. Defendants’ diversionary tactics and lack of candor toward both Kounelis and the Court has undeniably lead to unnecessary delay in this action and unneees-sary expense to Kounelis and his counsel. Thus, the Magistrate Judge committed no error in requiring that Defendants pay Kounelis’s and his counsel’s costs in relation to the discovery of the surveillance tape as a sanction for their conduct. Defendants’ hollow assertion that they have consistently maintained that no tape has been in existence is entirely unpersuasive in light of the pretrial proceedings to date. Therefore, the Magistrate Judge’s imposition of costs as a monetary sanction will be upheld. In addition, Kounelis is also entitled to an award of attorneys’ fees. Although the Magistrate Judge was not made aware of any legal authority that would enable her to award attorneys’ fees as a spoliation sanction when the injured party is represented by pro bono counsel, abundant authority exists that supports the principle that the status of counsel’s representation has no affect on the appropriateness of an award of attorneys’s fees. See, e.g., Blanchard v. Bergeron, 489 U.S. 87, 95, 109 S.Ct. 939, 103 L.Ed.2d 67 (1989) (noting that a nonprofit legal services organization is not precluded from an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees as the prevailing party in a § 1983 action simply because it may contractually have agreed not to charge its client a fee); Shadis v. Beal, 685 F.2d 824, 830 (3d Cir.1982) (noting the well settled principle that courts award “attorney’s fees without regard to plaintiffs’ ability to pay for counsel”); Miller v. Apartments & Homes, 646 F.2d 101, 112 (3d Cir.1981) (awarding attorneys’ fees to pro bono counsel and rejecting the argument that the award was a windfall). Therefore, the Magistrate Judge’s order denying Kounelis’s request for attorneys’ fees will be reversed and attorneys’ fees for the time spent on the discovery related to the surveillance tape, including subpoenas, depositions and the evidentiary hearing, will be awarded to Kounelis. F. Payment to the District of New Jersey’s Pro Bono Fund Instead of awarding attorneys’ fees to Kounelis, the Magistrate Judge imposed a fine of $3,000 payable by Defendants to the District of New Jersey’s pro bono fund. The fine was imposed as a sanction on Defendants, not for spoliation of the evidence, but rather for their lack of candor with the Court. However, because the Court has factored this conduct by Defendants into its award of attorneys’ fees to Kounelis, the additional fíne is unnecessary. Therefore, the order that Defendants pay $3,000 to the District of New Jersey’s pro bono fund will be reversed. III. CROSS-MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT Both parties have also moved for summary judgment. Kounelis limits his motion to Sergeants Forde and Perez and seeks summary judgment against them on his § 1983 claim that they violated his due process rights. Defendants are seeking summary judgment on all of Kounelis’s claims. For the reasons set forth below, Kounelis’s motion for summary judgment will be denied and Defendants’ motion for summary judgment will be granted as to Kounelis’s intentional infliction of emotional distress claim but denied in all other respects. A. Standard of Review under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56(c) Summary judgment is proper when “there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and ... the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c). For an issue to be genuine, there must be “a sufficient evi-dentiary basis on which a reasonable jury could find for the non-moving party.” Kaucher v. County of Bucks, 455 F.3d 418, 423 (3d Cir.2006). For a fact to be material, it must have the ability to “affect the outcome of the suit under governing law.” Id. Disputes over irrelevant or unnecessary facts will not preclude a grant of summary judgment. On a summary judgment motion, the moving party has the burden of showing that no genuine issue of material fact exists. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). When the moving party does not bear the burden of proof at trial, the moving party may discharge its burden by showing that there is an absence of evidence to support the non-moving party’s case. Id. at 325, 106 S.Ct. 2548. If the moving party can make such a showing, then the burden shifts to the non-moving party to present evidence that a genuine fact issue exists and a trial is necessary. Id. at 324, 106 S.Ct. 2548. In meeting its burden, the non-moving party must offer specific facts that establish a genuine issue of material fact, not just simply create “some metaphysical doubt as to the material facts.” Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co., Ltd. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 586-87, 106 S.Ct. 1348, 89 L.Ed.2d 538 (1986). The non-moving party, however, cannot create a genuine issue of material fact by simply replacing the conclusory allegations of the complaint with concluso-ry allegations in an affidavit; rather the non-moving party must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial. In deciding whether an issue of material fact exists, the Court must consider all facts and their reasonable inferences in the light most favorable to the non-moving party. See Pennsylvania Coal Ass’n v. Babbitt, 63 F.3d 231, 236 (3d Cir.1995). The Court’s function, however, is not to weigh the evidence and determine the truth of the matter, but rather to determine whether there is a genuine issue for trial. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 249, 106 S.Ct. 2505. If there are no issues that require a trial, then judgment as a matter of law is appropriate. B. Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment against Sergeants Forde and Perez Kounelis moves for summary judgment against Sergeants Forde and Perez for violation of his due process rights. Koun-elis asserts that his due process right to present evidence at his prison disciplinary proceeding was violated when Defendants failed to provide him with a copy of the surveillance footage from the E/D area. Kounelis argues that Sergeants Forde and Perez, as the Disciplinary Sergeants, were required to thoroughly investigate the incident and marshal all relevant evidence for use at the disciplinary hearing. Thus, Kounelis submits, because the Court has already concluded that his due process rights were violated by the non-production of relevant evidence and because Sergeants Forde and Perez were the parties charged with the responsibility of marshaling the relevant evidence, there are no questions of material fact. Because, the Court finds that questions of fact exist, summary judgment will be denied. In order to prove his § 1983 claim against Sergeants Forde and Perez, Koun-elis must show that they were acting under color of state law and that while acting under color of state law, they deprived him of a right secured by the Constitution. See Gomez v. Toledo, 446 U.S. 635, 640, 100 S.Ct. 1920, 64 L.Ed.2d 572 (1980); Groman v. Township of Manalapan, 47 F.3d 628, 633 (3d Cir.1995). There is no question that at all relevant times, Sergeants Forde and Perez were acting under color of state law. Because both of them were corrections officers at a state prison, this element of Kounelis’s claim is not in dispute. See Lugar v. Edmondson Oil Co., 457 U.S. 922, 935, 102 S.Ct. 2744, 73 L.Ed.2d 482 n. 18 (1982) (“[S]tate employment is generally sufficient to render the defendant a state actor.”). Nor is there any question that Kounelis had a due process right to “marshal the facts and prepare a defense” in his disciplinary hearing because “the right to present evidence is basic to a fair hearing.” Young v. Kann, 926 F.2d 1396, 1399 (3d Cir.1991). There is, however, a factual question as to whether Sergeants Forde and Perez were responsible for the deprivation of Kounelis’s due process right. Kounelis maintains that he made multiple requests, both verbal and written, for a copy of the surveillance footage and that, as part of a thorough investigation of the disciplinary charge, Defendants participating in the disciplinary proceeding should have at least reviewed the surveillance footage. Sergeant Forde, however, maintains that he cannot recall whether such a request was ever made and submits that no such request was reflected in his incident report. Sergeant Perez maintains that no such request was ever made to him directly or passed to him through another officer. Although Captain Campos testified in his deposition that NSP permits surveillance footage to be used in disciplinary-proceedings and that in a case of an alleged assault by an officer, the surveillance footage should have been at least reviewed, if not preserved, Defendants submit that the high volume of disciplinary infractions makes it unreasonable to review surveillance footage in connection with every infraction. Thus, the question must be put to a jury. If a jury finds by a preponderance of the evidence that Kounelis requested a copy of the surveillance footage within the seven to ten day window or that, given the seriousness of the disciplinary allegation, Sergeants Forde and Perez should have taken it on themselves to have preserved the surveillance footage, then there is some, but certainly not conclusive, evidence that Sergeants Forde or Perez may have participated in the deprivation of Kounelis’s due process rights. If, however, a jury finds that no request for the surveillance footage was made within the seven to ten day window and that Sergeants Forde and Perez acted reasonably in choosing not to review the surveillance footage, then, unless there is some other evidence against them, the two sergeants may not be found personally liable for the deprivation of Kounelis’s due process rights. Contrary to Kounelis’s suggestion, the Court has not already concluded that Sergeants Forde and Perez were responsible for the violation of Kounelis’s due process rights by the non-production of evidence for use at his disciplinary proceeding. In its September 5, 2005 opinion denying Sergeants James’s and Perez’s application for qualified immunity, the Court was under the impression, based on Defendants’ representations, that a video existed but Defendants were withholding the surveillance footage for confidentiality reasons. On the basis of that belief, the Court stated that the non-production of the surveillance footage at the disciplinary hearing was a violation of Kounelis’s due process right to present evidence and marshal the facts in his defense. Kounelis, 2005 WL 2175442, *10, 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20070, at *30. Thus, having found that the alleged facts established the violation of a constitutional right and that the constitutional right was clearly established, the Court denied qualified immunity to Sergeants James and Perez. Nothing in the Court’s previous discussion of qualified immunity can be taken to necessitate the entry of summary judgment against Sergeants Forde and Perez. Not only has the posture of the litigation changed, but so has the factual landscape. At the time of the September 5, 2005 opinion, the Court was considering whether Defendants were entitled to the defense of qualified immunity. Now the Court is considering whether liability should be imposed. Additionally, at the time of the September 5, 2005 opinion, the Court was under the misperception that a copy of the surveillance footage existed. Now the Court knows that the footage was not preserved. Thus, as previously explained, a factual question has arisen as to the responsibility for the non-preservation. Given both the posture of the litigation and the development of a factual question, summary judgment against Sergeants Forde and Perez for violation of Kounelis’s due process rights is not appropriate. C. Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment Defendants, collectively, are seeking summary judgment on a number of grounds. First, Defendants assert that they are entitled to qualified immunity on Kounelis’s § 1983 claim for violations of his Eighth Amendment rights. Second, Defendants argue that Kounelis has not established a prima facie case of excessive force. Third, Defendants argue that Kounelis has not been retaliated against for engaging in constitutionally protected conduct. Fourth, Defendants argue that Kounelis has not suffered severe distress for the purposes of his intentional infliction of emotional distress claim. Fifth, Defendants argue that provisions of New Jersey law protect them from liability for pain and suffering. Sixth and finally, Defendants argue that Kounelis is not entitled to punitive damages. Because questions of material fact exist on five out of six of Kounelis’s claims, summary judgment will be granted as to Kounelis’s intentional infliction of emotional distress claim and denied in all other respects. (1) Qualified Immunity SCOs Atuncar, Schwenk, and Bush argue that they are entitled to qualified immunity on Kounelis’s § 1983 claim for use of excessive force in violation of his Eighth Amendment rights on two grounds. First, because they acted reasonably under the circumstances, and second, because they did not violate Kounelis’s Eighth Amendment rights. Qualified immunity is a defense available to government officials that, in certain cases, shields them from litigation arising from actions taken in the course of their duties. Doe v. Groody, 361 F.3d 232, 237 (3d Cir.2004). In order for a defendant to be immune from liability, the Court must find that the defendant’s conduct has not violated any clearly established statutory or constitutional right. Wilson v. Layne, 526 U.S. 603, 614, 119 S.Ct. 1692, 143 L.Ed.2d 818 (1999). If, however, the Court finds that a reasonable official would have known that the alleged conduct was in violation of a clearly estab-lished federal right, then immunity is forfeited. In assessing a defendant’s qualified immunity, the Court conducts a two-step inquiry. Doe v. Groody, 361 F.3d at 237. First, the Court determines whether a plaintiff has alleged a violation of a clearly established constitutional right. Leveto v. Lapina, 258 F.3d 156, 162 (3d Cir.2001). If so, then the Court determines whether the right was clearly established at the time of the alleged violation. Id. A right is “clearly established” when its contours are sufficiently defined, such that “a reasonable official would understand that what he is doing violates that right.” Shea v. Smith, 966 F.2d 127, 130 (3d. Cir.1992). Taking Kounelis’s allegations as true, the Court found in its September 5, 2005 opinion that “the prison officials who participated in the alleged assault violated Kounelis’s Eighth Amendment right not to be subject to excessive force.” Kounelis, 2005 WL 2175442, *11, 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS, at *34. As stated in the September 5, 2005 opinion, the Eighth Amendment is violated when force is applied, not “in a good faith effort to maintain or restore discipline,” but rather when force is applied “maliciously or sadistically for the very purpose of causing harm.” Id. (quoting Hudson v. McMillian, 503 U.S. 1, 6, 112 S.Ct. 995, 117 L.Ed.2d 156 (1992)). Finding, on the basis of the Complaint’s allegations, that it was reasonable to infer that SCOs Atuncar, Schwenk, and Bush “assaulted Kounelis, not to maintain or restore discipline, but maliciously and sadistically to cause harm,” the Court concluded that Kounelis had alleged a violation of a clearly established constitutional right. Id. An inmate’s Eighth Amendment right to be free from the use of excessive force was clearly established at the time of the altercation. Kounelis, 2005 WL 2175442, *11, 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS, at *34. The Court concluded that on November 14, 2003, “a reasonable prison official would have understood ... that beating a prison inmate without justification violated the Eighth Amendment.” Id., 2005 WL 2175442, *11, 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS, at *35. Therefore, the Court denied SCO Schwenk’s and SCO Bush’s application for qualified immunity on Kounelis’s excessive force claim. Given that nothing has changed since the September 5, 2005 opinion was issued, the Court concludes now, as it did before, that SCOs Atuncar, Schwenk, and Bush are not entitled to a summary judgment of qualified immunity on Kounelis’s § 1983 claim for violation of his Eighth Amendment rights. The earlier decision resolved a motion to dismiss, but there is evidence on the basis of which a reasonable jury could find that these three Defendants used excessive force. Therefore, summary judgment on qualified immunity grounds cannot be granted. Even though the September 5, 2005 opinion only denied qualified immunity as to SCOs Schwenk and Bush, the Court’s conclusion that on November 14, 2003 a reasonable prison official would have understood that beating a prison inmate without justification violated the Eighth Amendment applies to all Defendants against whom Kounelis’s Complaint alleges Eighth Amendment violations for use of excessive force. As such, no Defendant is entitled to qualified immunity on Kounel-is’s § 1983 claim for violation of his Eighth Amendment rights. (2) Excessive Use of Force SCOs Atuncar, Schwenk, and Bush argue that summary judgment should be granted on Kounelis’s § 1983 excessive use of force claim for violation of his Eighth Amendment right on three different theories. First, they argue that Kounelis is estopped from presenting evidence that undermines the validity of a disciplinary proceeding. Second, SCOs Atuncar, Schwenk, and Bush argue that any force used against Kounelis was reasonable under the circumstances. Third, they argue that Kounelis’s de minimus injuries are not cognizable under the Eighth Amendment. None of these arguments have merit, however, because they are all predicated on highly disputed issues of fact. Therefore, Defendants’ motion for summary judgment on Kounelis’s § 1983 claim for violation of his Eighth Amendment rights will be denied. To survive a motion for summary judgment on an excessive force claim, Kounelis must set forth specific facts showing that force was applied “maliciously and sadistically to cause harm,” as opposed to, “in a good faith effort to maintain or restore discipline.” Hudson, 503 U.S. at 7, 112 S.Ct. 995. This showing breaks down into two components, one subjective and the other objective. First, the subjective component requires Kounel-is to show that “officials acted with a sufficiently culpable state of mind,” Hudson, 503 U.S. at 8, 112 S.Ct. 995, or in other words, that Defendants’ actions were wanton or obdurate given the circumstances surrounding their conduct, see Wilson v. Seiter, 501 U.S. 294, 299-300, 111 S.Ct. 2321, 115 L.Ed.2d 271 (1991). Second, the objective component requires Kounelis to show that the alleged wrongdoing was “harmful enough to establish a constitutional violation.” Hudson, 503 U.S. at 8, 112 S.Ct. 995. The injury inflicted does not need to be significant, because the “focus is on the force used, as opposed to the injury inflicted,” Brooks v. Kyler, 204 F.3d 102, 104 (3d Cir.2000), but it must be more than de minimus, Hudson, 503 U.S. at 10, 112 S.Ct. 995. Indeed, the Court of Appeals has held that “there is no fixed minimum quantum of injury that a prisoner must prove that he suffered through objective or independent evidence in order to state a claim of wanton and excessive force.” Brooks, 204 F.3d at 104. In determining whether Koun-elis has established a prima facie case for the use of excessive force, a court considers five factors: (1) “the need for the application of the force”; (2) “the relationship between the need a