No. 25-7701October Term 2025Petition Pending
Michael Wood, Petitioner v. Deanna Williamson
Michael Wood, an Ohio prisoner, asks the Supreme Court to review his challenge to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction’s inmate rule against “disrespect.”
Case status
- Current stage
- Petition Pending
- Latest event
- Petition pending
- Decision timing
- No decision timeline until the Court agrees to hear the case.
- What it's about
Michael Wood, an Ohio prisoner, asks the Supreme Court to review his challenge to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction’s inmate rule against “disrespect.” He argues that, both as written and as applied to him, the rule violates the First, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments.
Question presented
Is the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction's (ODRC) Inmate Rules of Conduct proscribing "Disrespect" unconstitutional, as applied and facially, as violative of the First, Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution?
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit / Petition pending
- Area
Petition for review pending
Briefing
What it's about
Ohio prisoner Michael Wood asks the Supreme Court to review Ohio prison rules that prohibit “disrespect.” He says the rule, both as written and as used against him, violates the First, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments.
Argument
The petition for certiorari (the Court's decision to hear a case) has been filed, but oral argument has not been scheduled.
Impact
The case could affect how clearly Ohio prisons must define speech-related discipline rules. For example, an Ohio prisoner accused of speaking disrespectfully could face discipline under the challenged rule.
What is at stake in Wood v. Williamson?
Wood challenges Ohio’s prison rule against “disrespect,” saying it violates constitutional protections for speech and fair treatment.
Who could be affected by the Ohio prison “disrespect” rule?
Ohio prisoners accused of disrespect could be affected, along with prison staff who enforce the inmate conduct rules.
What happens next in Wood v. Williamson?
The Court may schedule further action or decide whether to hear the petition. Oral argument is not yet scheduled.
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary materials plus reporting.
- Note
- Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Sep 4, 2026
- Method
- Methodology