PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF CONFLICT IN CORRECTIONS FINAL REPORT

• NCJ Number: 58420
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 41 pages
• Grant Number(s): 77-ED-99-0009
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: Ctr for Community Justice
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

INMATE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES IN CALIFORNIA, KENTUCKY, NEW YORK, AND SOUTH CAROLINA WERE EXPLORED TO EVALUATE WAYS OF MINIMIZING CONFLICT AMONG INMATES AND SETTLING DISPUTES.

Abstract

THE PREMISE OF A GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE IS THAT INSTITUTIONAL VIOLENCE AND LITIGATION WILL DECREASE BY PROVIDING INMATES WITH A FORMAL AVENUE FOR CHALLENGING DEPARTMENTAL AND INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES, AND BY CREATING A FORUM IN WHICH INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS OF STAFF AND INMATES CAN BE REVIEWED. THE CENTER FOR COMMUNITY JUSTICE RECEIVED A GRANT FROM LEAA IN 1975 TO EXAMINE METHODS FOR RESOLVING DISPUTES IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS. SIX PRINCIPLES, DEVELOPED BY THE CENTER IN PREVIOUS WORK WITH THE CALIFORNIA YOUTH AUTHORITY, GUIDED THE PROJECT: (1) ACCESS FOR ALL INMATES WITH GUARANTEES AGAINST REPRISALS; (2) INMATE AND LINE STAFF PARTICIPATION IN THE DESIGN AND OPERATION OF GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES; (3) WRITTEN RESPONSES WITH REASONS TO ALL GRIEVANCES; (4) REASONABLE TIME LIMITS AT ALL LEVELS WITH PROVISION FOR EMERGENCIES; (5) OUTSIDE REVIEW OF GRIEVANCES; AND (6) BROAD JURISDICTION FOR GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES. TO EVALUATE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES, A PILOT INSTITUTION OR PAROLE OFFICE WAS IDENTIFIED IN EACH OF THE FOUR STATES AND GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES WERE EXAMINED. EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION BETWEEN STATES WAS STRESSED THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT. THE APPLICABILITY OF GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES IN THE STATES WAS ADEQUATELY TESTED IN VARYING CORRECTIONAL SETTINGS. GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES, ALTHOUGH SIMILAR, VARIED ACCORDING TO THE STRUCTURE OF THE STATE BUREAUCRACY, POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS, THE EXTENT OF CORRECTIONAL OFFICER LABOR ACTIVITY, AND THE CONDITION OF THE STATE'S CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM. THE USE OF CITIZEN VOLUNTEERS WAS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES. GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES IN THE FOUR STATES APPEARED TO HAVE GAINED INMATE, ADMINISTRATIVE, AND STAFF APPROVAL AND TO HAVE PRECIPITATED NEEDED CHANGE. A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF EACH PROJECT SITE IS PRESENTED, AND THE APPLICABILITY OF DISPUTE SETTLEMENT PRINCIPLES ASSOCIATED WITH INMATE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES TO OTHER INSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS IS DISCUSSED.