NCJ Number
32057
Date Published
1976
Length
185 pages
Annotation
REPORT OF A STUDY OF THE STATUS OF INMATE RIGHTS AND THE INSTITUTIONAL CONDITIONS AFFECTING THOSE RIGHTS IN OHIO'S ADULT STATE PRISON SYSTEM.
Abstract
ISSUED BY THE OHIO ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS, THIS REPORT CONSIDERS TRENDS IN THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF PRISONERS, ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION, THE OPERATIONAL COSTS OF OHIO'S PENAL POLICY, TENSION IN THE STATE PRISONS, AND THE RESULTS OF INTERVIEWS WITH PRISONERS, EX-INMATES, PRISON STAFF, ADMINISTRATORS, CORRECTIONAL EXPERTS, AND CIVIC LEADERS ON THE SUBJECT OF THE RIGHTS OF OHIO PRISONERS. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT OHIO INMATES SUFFER WIDESPREAD AND REPEATED VIOLATIONS OF THEIR RIGHTS DUE, LARGELY, TO THE INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE PRISONS. THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS NEW STATE PROGRAMS TO INCREASE THE USE OF PROBATION AND DECREASE THE USE OF INCARCERATION, (THEREBY ENABLING THE CLOSING OF MOST OF OHIO'S PRISONS) AND THE REPEAL OF STATE LAWS WHICH HAVE THE EFFECT OF REWARDING COUNTIES FINANCIALLY FOR THE NUMBER OF PERSONS COMMITTED TO STATE PRISONS. IT ALSO RECOMMENDS THE ENACTMENT OF BOTH FEDERAL AND STATE BILLS OF RIGHTS FOR PRISONERS WITH PROVISIONS FOR VIGOROUS ENFORCEMENT, WITH RECEIPT OF FEDERAL FUNDS BEING CONDITIONAL TO STATE ENACTMENT AND ENFORCEMENT OF FEDERAL LEGISLATION. INCREASED MONITORING OF PRISON DISCIPLINARY AND PAROLE PROCEDURES AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A UNIFIED STATE CORRECTIONAL POLICYMAKING AND BUDGETING AUTHORITY ARE ALSO SUGGESTED. A TOTAL OF SIXTEEN FINDINGS AND THEIR ACCOMPANYING RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE. AN APPENDIX IS INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)