Posted: May 15th, 2023

Inmates’ Rights and Their Impact on Correctional Administration

Order Instructions
Week 10 Assignment – Inmates’ Rights
Overview
To successfully complete this assignment, you will need to:
Refer to:
Chapter 11, “The Legal World, Prisoners’ Rights,” in your Corrections in the 21st Century textbook.
This document, Summary of Inmate Rights [PDF].
Use the Strayer University Library to conduct research on the cases that awarded prisoners their basic constitutional rights.
The B.S. in Criminal Justice library guide is a good place to start your research.
You may also find the CQ Supreme Court Collection database useful as you conduct your research.
This brief Kaltura video, Finding Supreme Court Cases Relating to Specific Amendments, shows you how to search for cases by amendment.
Effective corrections personnel recognize that inmates, like other U.S. citizens, are people protected by various constitutional rights. Not only do they recognize that inmates have these rights, they are also knowledgeable about those rights they are responsible to protect.
In this assignment, you will have the opportunity to analyze inmates’ rights, the cases that afforded inmates those rights, and the impact inmate rights have on correctional administration.
Instructions
After reviewing Chapter 11 of your textbook, the “Summary of Inmate Rights” document, and conducting research on inmates’ rights and the corresponding case law, write a 3–5 page paper in which you:
Summarize inmates’ rights and the U.S. cases that awarded them those rights.
Explain how inmates’ rights impact correctional administration.
Articulate your perspective about whether inmates have too many or too few rights.
Be sure to include the rationale behind your perspective.
Recommend, based on research and/or experience, additional rights to be afforded to inmates and those which should be removed.
Use three sources to support your writing.
Choose sources that are credible, relevant, and appropriate.
Cite each source listed on your source page at least one time within your assignment.
Access the Strayer University Library or review library guides for help with research, writing, and citation.
Formatting
This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards. For assistance and information, please refer to the Strayer Writing Standards link in the left-hand menu of your course. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. Note the following:
The preferred method is for your paper to be typed, double-spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
Include a cover page containing the assignment title, your name, your professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
Include a source list page. Citations and source list entries must follow SWS format. The source list page is not included in the required page length.
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Inmates’ Rights and Their Impact on Correctional Administration

Introduction:
In the United States, inmates, like other citizens, are entitled to various constitutional rights. Understanding and upholding these rights are crucial for effective corrections personnel. This paper aims to summarize inmates’ rights and the landmark U.S. cases that granted them these rights. It will also explore the impact of inmates’ rights on correctional administration, present a perspective on whether inmates have too many or too few rights, and propose additional rights to be afforded or removed based on research and experience.

Summary of Inmates’ Rights and Awarding Cases:
Inmates possess constitutional rights that ensure fair treatment and protect against abuse within correctional facilities. Some of the key rights include the First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and religion, the Eighth Amendment right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment, and the Fourteenth Amendment right to due process and equal protection. These rights were established through a series of significant U.S. cases:

First Amendment Rights:
a. Procunier v. Martinez (1974): This case established that prison officials can restrict inmate correspondence only if there is a legitimate penological interest involved.
b. Turner v. Safley (1987): The Supreme Court ruled that restrictions on inmates’ First Amendment rights are permissible if they are reasonably related to legitimate penological interests.

Eighth Amendment Rights:
a. Estelle v. Gamble (1976): The Court held that deliberate indifference to an inmate’s serious medical needs constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.
b. Farmer v. Brennan (1994): It was determined that prison officials can be held liable if they demonstrate deliberate indifference to a substantial risk of serious harm to inmates.

Fourteenth Amendment Rights:
a. Wolff v. McDonnell (1974): The Court ruled that inmates are entitled to procedural due process in disciplinary hearings, including written notice of charges and an opportunity to present evidence.
b. Hudson v. Palmer (1984): This case established that inmates do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy in their prison cells.

Impact of Inmates’ Rights on Correctional Administration:
Inmates’ rights significantly impact correctional administration by shaping policies, procedures, and the overall treatment of incarcerated individuals. The recognition of inmates’ rights has led to improved conditions within correctional facilities, the provision of medical care, and safeguards against abuse. However, the enforcement of these rights can pose challenges for correctional administrators, including budgetary constraints and potential conflicts between security concerns and individual rights.

Perspective on Inmates’ Rights:
The question of whether inmates have too many or too few rights is a complex one. From my perspective, inmates should have a reasonable level of rights that promote their well-being, rehabilitation, and reintegration into society. Excessive restrictions on inmates’ rights may lead to dehumanization, hinder rehabilitation efforts, and increase the risk of recidivism. However, it is crucial to strike a balance between protecting inmates’ rights and ensuring the safety and security of correctional facilities.

Recommendations for Additional Rights and Removal of Rights:
Based on research and experience, I propose the following recommendations regarding additional rights to be afforded to inmates and those that should be removed:

Additional Rights:
a. Right to quality education and vocational training: Providing inmates with access to education and vocational programs can enhance their chances of successful reentry into society.
b. Right to mental health treatment: Recognizing the importance of mental health care for inmates and ensuring access to necessary treatments and support services.
c. Right to family visitation: Facilitating meaningful visitation opportunities with family members to promote family ties and support the rehabilitation process.

Removal of Rights:
a. Right to vote: While this is a contentious issue, removing