NCJ Number
85969
Date Published
1982
Length
139 pages
Annotation
Double-bunking, an increasing practice in American prisons ruled constitutional under certain circumstances, violates accepted correctional standards and has been correlated with numerous negative social and psychological consequences.
Abstract
'Double bunking' refers to housing more than one inmate in a cell originally designed for single occupancy, a method used by prisons and jails to accommodate overcrowding. Empirical evidence and the increasing volume of litigation regarding overcrowding indicate that this condition is relatively widespread. A study by Mullen and Smith using 1978 data indicated that 39 percent of cells in Federal, 55 percent of cells in State, and 61 percent of cells in local facilities do not provide each inmate with 60 square feet of living space, a nationally accepted standard. In Bell v. Wolfish (1979) and Rhodes v. Chapman (1981), the Supreme Court ruled that double-bunking was permissible under the Constitution as long as it does not result in a substantial deterioration of prison conditions. However, empirical evidence from a study at six Federal correctional institutions suggests that overcrowding increases inmate rule infractions, illness rates, stress, and perceptions of living in crowded conditions. Despite the Supreme Court's determination, double bunking is not sound correctional policy. Data tables, endnotes, over 60 references, case tables, and a summary of relevant litigation are included.