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Legal Rights of Inmates

NCJ Number
74301
Date Published
1980
Length
0 pages
Annotation
Part of the Jail Operations Training Course developed by the National Sheriffs' Association and the National Institute of Corrections, this program defines and explains the legal rights retained by inmates in jail.
Abstract
Retained legal rights must be respected by the jail officers. The job of correctional officers is to uphold the law through the secure detention of individuals who are convicted or charged with criminal offenses. Inmates maintain msot of the legal rights held by all citizens. The officers should know the applicable laws in the jurisdiction of the jail, since local and State laws vary. Jail officers are responsible for maintaining the personal security and order of the jail. Jail staff have to balance the legal rights of the State against the rights and privileges of inmates. The program reviews the amendments in the Bill of Rights and court decisions that are most relevant to jail management. These include the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, and 14th amendments. Rights encompassed by these amendments include religious freedom, freedom of speech, access to courts and legal counsel, the right to legal assistance, access to law books, due process in disciplinary actions, and formal grievance procedures for inmates. Physical abuse by jail staff is prohibited, and healthy, sanitary jail conditions are required. In addition, violent inmates must be segregated from other inmates. Searches of cells and inmates are allowed to protect the security of jails and inmates. A guidebook, slides, and an audiocassette are provided. For other programs in this series, see NCJ 74296-74300.