NCJ Number
13350
Date Published
1974
Length
47 pages
Annotation
SOME COURT DECISIONS INVOLVING PRISONERS' RIGHTS, REASONS FOR THE COURT RULINGS, AND POSSIBLE FUTURE TRENDS IN THE LAW.
Abstract
MUCH OF THE LITIGATION IN WHICH PRISONERS ARE INVOLVED IS NOT A DIRECT ATTACK ON THE ACTIVITIES OF LINE OFFICERS BUT CHALLENGES RULES AND POLICIES ESTABLISHED BY CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS, THE COURTS, OR THE LEGISLATURE. HOWEVER, SINCE CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS MUST IMPLEMENT THESE DECISIONS, THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THESE CHANGES IS ESSENTIAL. THIS HANDBOOK ADDRESSES THESE KINDS OF CASES SO THAT THE LINE OFFICER MAY BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT MOTIVATES RESIDENTS IN BRINGING THE LAWSUIT, THE COURT IN REACHING ITS DECISION, AND THE ADMINISTRATORS IN ATTEMPTING TO COMPLY WITH THAT DECISION. IT DISCUSSES IN NON-TECHNICAL LANGUAGE RECENT COURT DECISIONS, LEGAL PRINCIPLES AND CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS THAT HAVE AFFECTED CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND LINE WORK. THE KINDS OF SUITS THAT INMATES CAN BRING ARE DISCUSSED AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH THEY CAN RECOVER DAMAGES FROM INDIVIDUAL STAFF MEMBERS WHEN THEY ARE HURT IS EXAMINED. SPECIFIC RIGHTS OF PRISONERS ARE COVERED IN TURN AND INCLUDE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS, ACCESS TO COURTS, LAWYERS, AND LEGAL MATERIALS, RIGHT TO MEDICAL TREATMENT, CORRESPONDENCE AND VISITATION, PERSONAL PROTECTION AND PRIVACY, RIGHT TO REHABILITATION PROGRAMS, AND DISCIPLINE AND PUNISHMENT. THE PROBLEMS ARISING FROM CLASSIFICATION AND TRANSFER OF INMATES ARE DISCUSSED, AS ARE INMATES RIGHTS TO BASIC FACILITIES. ALTHOUGH THIS HANDBOOK HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR THE CORRECTIONAL OFFICER WITHIN ADULT INSTITUTIONS, THE PRINCIPLES AND LAWS DISCUSSED APPLY TO JUVENILE CORRECTIONS PERSONNEL AS WELL. THIS CAN SERVE AS A REFERENCE DOCUMENT FOR GROUP LIFE SUPERVISORS, CHILD CARE WORKERS, INSTITUTIONAL COUNSELORS AND OTHERS INVOLVED IN LINE POSITIONS INSIDE JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS. (SNI ABSTRACT)