Effective corrections personnel recognize that inmates, like other U.S. citizens, are people protected by various constitutional rights. Not only do they recognize that inmates have these rights, they are also knowledgeable about those rights they are responsible to protect.
You will have the opportunity to analyze inmates' rights, the cases that afforded inmates those rights, and the impact inmate rights have on correctional administration.
Instructions
After reviewing the "Summary of Inmate Rights" document, and conducting research on inmates' rights and the corresponding case law, write a 3–5 pages in which you:
- Summarize inmates' rights and the U.S. cases that awarded them those rights.
- Explain how inmates' rights impact correctional administration.
- Articulate your perspective about whether inmates have too many or too few rights.
- Be sure to include the rationale behind your perspective.
- Recommend, based on research and/or experience, additional rights to be afforded to inmates and those which should be removed.
- Use three sources to support your writing.
- Choose sources that are credible, relevant, and appropriate.
- Cite each source listed on your source page at least one time.
CRJ410
© 2020 Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University Confidential and Proprietary information and may not be copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of Strayer University.
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Summary of Inmate Rights
Inmates have the right to many resources, including medical care. While inmate rights vary from state to state and country to country, common inmate rights exist. These include the right to meals, telephones, mail, showers and other resources. Consider this list of common inmate rights.
Legal Rights
Inmates have the right to:
• Due process when undergoing the appeals process. • The parole process. • Protection against unfair treatment because of race, sex, religion or nation of origin. • Not be racially segregated. • The right to speech, but this may be limited.
Medical Services
Inmates have the right to:
• Medical services when sick or injured. • Face-to-face meetings with medical personnel. • Emergency medical and dental services at all hours. • Mental health care, including preliminary screenings, stabilization, treatment and
medication support services. • Hearings if law enforcement wishes to move them into mental health facilities. • Accommodations according to the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Female inmates have the right to:
• Seek abortions if desired. • Undergo childbirth outside of jail.
Expectant mothers may not be coerced into seeking adoption or foster care services, but these need to be provided if desired.
CRJ410
© 2020 Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University Confidential and Proprietary information and may not be copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of Strayer University.
Page 2 of 3
Religion
Inmates have these religious rights:
• Free practice of their religion. • Access to appropriate religious books, or texts. • Ability to attend a religious service within the prison if available. • Ability to engage in prayer. • Ability to recognize one’s designated Sabbath day.
Meals
Inmates have the right to:
• 3 meals in a 24-hour period, including one meal with hot food. • 15 minutes to consume each meal.
Communication
Inmates have the right to:
• Communicate with the outside world in various ways, including reasonable access to a telephone and regular visits from friends and family.
o One hour per week is the recommended minimum visitation right, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.
• Meet with their attorney (unlimited). • Receive media, including magazines, newspapers and books, if these are mailed
directly from the publisher and not intermediary vendors. o The American Civil Liberties Union recommends no more than three books,
one newspaper, and two periodicals per inmate at one time.
CRJ410
© 2020 Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University Confidential and Proprietary information and may not be copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of Strayer University.
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Voting and Recreation
Inmates have the right to
• Vote by absentee ballot in some circumstances if they are registered to vote. o This applies to inmates who have not yet been convicted of a crime but are
awaiting trial. • 3 hours of exercise outside their cells each week.
Discipline
The Constitution protects inmates from cruel and unusual punishment.
• Inmates may be subject to minor discipline activities, including extra work, removal from work assignment, suspended privileges–including television, telephones and commissary–and lockdowns of up to 24 hours.
• Inmates may not be denied food, showers or access to attorneys. • Through litigation and legislation, the law has specified some rights that fall under
these broad constitutional freedoms. For example, the Supreme Court case Brown v. Plata found that overcrowded conditions constitute cruel and unusual punishment.
Regarding discipline, Inmates also have the right to:
● Live in humane conditions. ● Receive protection from sexual violence. ● Not incur physical abuse from other inmates or staff.
Complaints
Inmates have the right to file complaints if they believe any of their rights have been violated.
- Legal Rights
- Medical Services
- Religion
- Meals
- Communication
- Voting and Recreation
- Discipline
- Complaints