NCJ Number
100462
Editor(s)
M Maguire,
J Vagg,
R Morgan
Date Published
1986
Length
310 pages
Annotation
This review of accountability in the British correctional system in comparison with a few other countries considers prisoners' rights, inmate grievance procedures, prison management and discipline, and the need for and design of prison standards.
Abstract
First considered are the interrelated issues of prisoners' rights and judicial review of and intervention in the management of British prisons. The development of specific legal rights for inmates is proposed, followed by an examination of the effectiveness of inmates in persuading British courts to intervene in various aspects of prison policy and practices. Next discussed are the value, content, and implementation of standards for prison conditions and the treatment of inmates. A review of inmate grievance procedures identifies weaknesses in current grievance procedures and recommends improvements, such as the creation of a prison ombudsman. The issues of prison management, discipline, control, and security are examined with particular attention directed to prison policies geared to long-term or problem inmates. Also highlighted are Dutch inmate grievance procedures, accountability in Canadian penitentiaries, and judicial intervention in the U.S. prison system. For individual papers, see NCJ 100463-76.