NCJ Number
84468
Journal
American Bar Foundation Research Journal Issue: 1 Dated: (1982) Pages: 111-140
Date Published
1982
Length
30 pages
Annotation
This study reports the way the internal grievance mechanism functions at two Illinois State prisons -- one minimum security and one maximum security.
Abstract
The study found that the mechanism is heavily and repetitively used by only a portion of the inmate population and that the grievances filed range widely in type as well as in merit, although many were frivolous. Also, findings show that inmates win only a small percentage of their cases, either at the first-instance level or on appeal, and that among both line prison staff (at least at one of the prisons) and inmates considerable dissatisfaction with the process exists, although a minority of prisoners and the higher echelon prison administrators gave more favorable assessments. The article compares these findings with the generally articulated objectives of the grievance process and concludes with a series of suggestions to improve the process. A total of 51 footnotes are supplied. (Author abstract modified)