NCJ Number
43830
Journal
Corrections Magazine Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Dated: (JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1975) Pages: 29-41,44,61-62
Date Published
1975
Length
16 pages
Annotation
A NATIONAL OVERVIEW OF INMATE GRIEVANCE MECHANISMS IN FEDERAL AND STATE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
PRESSURES ON PRISON OFFICIALS TO INTRODUCE FORMALIZED PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING COMPLAINTS BY INMATES ARE NOTED. A NATIONAL SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENTER FOR CORRECTIONAL JUSTICE IN MAY 1973 IS CITED. THE SURVEY FOUND THAT MOST PRISON ADMINISTRATORS BELIEVED THEY SHOULD ADOPT A FORMAL GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE. OF THE 209 INSTITUTIONS RESPONDING TO THE SURVEY, 166 REPORTED THAT THEY ALREADY HAD GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES. HOWEVER, THE CENTER CONCLUDED THAT IN MANY CASES EXISTING, INFORMAL GRIEVANCE PRACTICES HAD MERELY BEEN ELEVATED TO THE STATUS OF FORMAL PROCEDURES WITH LITTLE SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE. THE DEVELOPMENT, TESTING, AND EARLY OPERATION OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS' FORMAL GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE ARE DESCRIBED. THE PROCEDURE IS AIMED IN PART AT REDUCING THE NUMBER OF INMATE LAWSUITS FILED IN FEDERAL COURTS. THE CRITICISM THAT THE FEDERAL PROCEDURE PROVIDES FOR NO IMPARTIAL REVIEW BY OUTSIDERS IS NOTED. DESCRIPTIONS ARE PRESENTED OF THE INMATE COMPLAINT REVIEW SYSTEM IN WISCONSIN, WHICH IS SIMILAR TO THE FEDERAL SYSTEM IN THAT COMPLAINTS MAY BE APPEALED THROUGH AN ADMINISTRATIVE HIERARCHY; MARYLAND'S STATE INMATE GRIEVANCE COMMISSION, WHICH EXERCISES BROAD POWERS RELATIVE TO OTHER GRIEVANCE MECHANISMS; AND CALIFORNIA'S SYSTEM OF GRIEVANCE HEARINGS FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS, WHICH EMPHASIZES INMATE PARTICIPATION IN DECISIONMAKING.