NCJ Number
118623
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 51 Issue: 4 Dated: (July 1989) Pages: 30,32,73
Date Published
1989
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article presents basic guidelines for prison officials for limiting exposure to lawsuit losses when confidential information is used in the discipline process.
Abstract
The first issue considered is whether confidential information should be presented to the discipline committee. Also discussed are details that an incident report should cover and preparing a confidential supplement to the hearing record. The author recommends that confidential information not be presented unless it is necessary to prove the charge. Second, written notice given to the inmate should specify all details related to the act the individual is charged with committing. At the hearing, the inmate should be allowed to see as much of the evidence as possible without risking the informant's identity. Finally, the discipline committee should prepare a supplementary report that describes information not given to the inmate and explains why it was considered reliable.