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INMATE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES

NCJ Number
14287
Author(s)
ANON
Date Published
1973
Length
105 pages
Annotation
A REVIEW OF INMATE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES INCLUDING THE CORRECTIONAL OMBUDSMAN, DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES, THE RULE OF THE COURTS, HABEAS CORPUS PETITIONS AND DAMAGE AWARDS.
Abstract
THIS SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES THAT SEEM TO WORK AND MEET THE TESTS OF FAIRNESS, EFFICACY, AND COURT APPROVAL. RESEARCH FOR THIS MONOGRAPH AND OTHER INFORMATION GENERATED BY THE COLLECTIVE VIOLENCE RESEARCH PROJECT SEEMS TO INDICATE THAT BESIDES GENERAL INMATE OBJECTIONS CONCERNING FOOD, HOUSING, AND TREATMENT, THE BASIC GRIEVANCE MOST OFTEN ASSERTED IS THE LACK OF ANY INMATE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE. THE AUTHORS CONCLUDE THAT IMPERATIVES FOR CHANGE IN THESE PROCEDURES SHOULD BE REALISTICALLY FACED BY THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM. IT IS ALSO CONCLUDED THAT POSITIVE MEASURES TO RESOLVE GRIEVANCES WILL RESULT IN MORE PROFESSIONAL ATTITUDES ON THE PART OF THE STAFF, AND SIMULTANEOUSLY REDUCE INMATE TENSIONS THAT OFTEN LEAD TO DISTURBANCES. THE IDEAL OR MODEL TECHNIQUES DEVELOPED BY A NUMBER OF SYSTEMS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY HAVE BEEN REPRODUCED IN BOTH THE TEXT OF THIS MONOGRAPH AND AS APPENDIXES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)