To be effective, a grievance resolution procedure must allow prisoners to make complaints quickly to an outside authority that is independent, has access to the highest level of decisionmaking, and can provide prompt responses. The widespread availability of grievance procedures suggests recognition of the need to take prisoners' complaints seriously, not only for their benefit but also for the benefit of prison administrators as well. Current procedures in Australia or elsewhere include complaints to prison superintendents, the use of a visiting magistrate, boards of visitors, the use of political or administrative heads, official visitor systems, human rights commissions, the courts, inmate councils, the ombudsman, and the prison ombudsman. Each method has advantages as well as limitations, and different procedures are required for different complaints.