NCJ Number
103750
Date Published
1986
Length
119 pages
Annotation
After reviewing 1986 U.S. Supreme Court decisions bearing upon corrections law, this report explains and analyzes key Federal and State court decisions pertaining to corrections issues.
Abstract
The 1986 U.S. Supreme Court decisions relevant to corrections concern negligent injury to life, liberty, or property; vicarious liability; civil rights damages; use of force in riots; the liability of hearing officers; and responsibility for inmate transportation to court in inmate lawsuits against corrections officials. Legal problems pertaining to acquired immune deficiency syndrome among corrections clients are reviewed, followed by a review of cases relating to inmate access to the courts, notably through access to legal libraries. Court decisions on the use of female officers in male institutions and male officers in female institutions focus on the balancing of equal opportunity, security, and privacy interests. Court decisions on inmate disciplinary hearings, corrections religious programs, and institutional searches of visitors and staff are also reviewed. Other case law examined addresses urine testing for drug use, parity for women's programs, privatization, inmate suicides, staff use of force, municipal liability, and inmate consent for medical treatment. Chapter footnotes.