NCJ Number
51152
Journal
Buffalo Law Review Volume: 21 Issue: 3 Dated: (SPRING 1972) Pages: 839-854
Date Published
1972
Length
16 pages
Annotation
THE 30 DEMANDS MADE BY ATTICA (N.Y.) STATE PRISON INMATES DURING THEIR UPRISING IN 1971 ARE COMPARED WITH THE UNITED NATIONS STANDARD MINIMUM RULES. THEIR COMMON PRINCIPLES UNDERSCORE THE NEED FOR HUMANE CONDITIONS.
Abstract
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE UNITED NATIONS STANDARD MINIMUM RULES FOR THE TREATMENT OF PRISONERS IS BRIEFLY SUMMARIZED. THEY WERE INITIALLY DRAWN UP IN 1933 AND WERE ADOPTED IN THEIR PRESENT FORM IN 1956. THEY DEAL WITH SUCH ISSUES AS ACCOMMODATIONS, PERSONAL HYGIENE, CLOTHING AND BEDDING, FOOD, EXERCISE AND SPORTS, MEDICAL SERVICES, DISCIPLINE, INSTRUMENTS OF RESTRAINT, INFORMATION TO AND COMPLAINTS BY PRISONERS, CONTACT WITH THE OUTSIDE, BOOKS, RELIGION, WORK, EDUCATION, AND BASIC PRISONERS' RIGHTS. THE DEMANDS ISSUED DURING THE ATTICA UPRISING ARE COMPARED TO THESE STANDARDS, ITEM BY ITEM. IT IS FOUND THAT THE PRISONERS WERE ASKING FOR, BASICALLY, THE SAME THINGS INTERNATIONALLY AGREED UPON AS MINIMUM PRISON CONDITIONS. THE ATTICA DEMANDS DEAL WITH FOOD, RETURN TO CELLS AND AMNESTY, MINIMUM WAGES, COMPLAINTS AND OMBUDSMEN, THE RIGHT TO POLITICAL ACTION, RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, CONTACT WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD, EXPANDED WORK-RELEASE PROGRAMS, BETTER EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES, SPANISH BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY, MEDICAL TREATMENT, AND EMPLOYMENT OF MINORITY PERSONNEL. THE DEMANDS REGARDING INMATE FUNDS, RESENTENCING AND PAROLE, AND DISCIPLINE UNDERSCORE THE NEED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE CORRECTIONS SYSTEM. THE DEMAND FOR OPEN INSPECTIONS EMPHASIZES THE NEED TO END PRISON SECRECY. THE ARTICLE IS HEAVILY FOOTNOTED. (GLR)