NCJ Number
55754
Date Published
1978
Length
86 pages
Annotation
THE COMPLAINT-PROCESSING ACTIVITIES AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE KANSAS OFFICE OF OMBUDSMAN FOR CORRECTIONS DURING FISCAL 1978 ARE REPORTED.
Abstract
THE OMBUDSMAN IS A STATUTORILY ESTABLISHED STATE AGENCY, SEPARATE FROM THE CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT. IT IS ACCOUNTABLE TO A 15-MEMBER CITIZENS' ADVISORY BOARD. THE BOARD'S BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR 1980 CALLS FOR EXPANSION OF THE OMBUDSMAN OFFICE TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO ALL OF KANSAS' EIGHT ADULT CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES. DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD, THE OMBUDSMAN HANDLED 608 COMPLAINTS. OF THE 566 COMPLAINTS CLOSED DURING THE PERIOD, 9.5 PERCENT WERE DETERMINED TO BE UNFOUNDED. MOST COMPLAINTS CONCERNED REHABILITATION-RELATED ISSUES. THE MAJORITY RELATED TO ACTIONS OR DECISIONS THAT ALLEGEDLY DEVIATED FROM INSTITUTIONAL OR DEPARTMENTAL POLICY OR FROM THE LAW. OVER 77 PERCENT OF THE COMPLAINTS RESOLVED THROUGH DIRECT INTERVENTION BY THE OMBUDSMAN WERE DEALT WITH AT OR BELOW THE MID-MANAGEMENT LEVEL IN THE CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, THE OMBUDSMAN PRESENTED 26 FORMAL POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CORRECTIONS SECRETARY. MOST OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS RESULTED FROM A STUDY OF THE INMATE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE AND FROM AN INVESTIGATION OF AN INCIDENT OF INMATE MUTILATION. THE SECRETARY'S RESPONSE TO THE OMBUDSMAN'S RECOMMENDATIONS REFLECTS IMPROVEMENTS IN THE WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO OFFICES. THE REPORT INCLUDES A DESCRIPTION OF THE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM, A SUMMARY OF THE YEAR'S HIGHLIGHTS, EXAMPLES OF COMPLAINTS HANDLED BY THE OMBUDSMAN, STATISTICS ON COMPLAINTS, A LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CORRECTIONS SECRETARY (TOGETHER WITH THE SECRETARY'S RESPONSE), AND SUPPORTING DATA AND DOCUMENTATION. (LKM)