NCJ Number
183427
Date Published
1998
Length
9 pages
Annotation
An analysis of prison discipline in counties around the world focused on prison regulations, the use of authorized and unauthorized punishments, the range of offenses for which discipline was imposed, the degree of due process in determining penalties, and whether prisoners had any possibility of appeal.
Abstract
Foreign correctional personnel often ignore the basic right of prisoners to freedom from cruel and unusual punishment. Beatings, prolonged periods of solitary confinement, and isolation in conjunction with other sanctions such as reduced diet and absence of mail or visits. Several countries use physical restraints punitively. Countries also use reduced contacts with relatives as a disciplinary technique. Some countries use collective punishments instead of punishments for individual infractions. Prison officials in most countries mete out punishments arbitrarily without external oversight or a mechanism for appeal. Therefore, Human Rights Watch recommends standardized disciplinary measures in each country, a log of all punishments, monitoring of inmate discipline, discipline of prison officials who use extralegal disciplinary measures, the elimination of corporal punishment, and several other changes. 13 reference notes