NCJ Number
128244
Date Published
1987
Length
5 pages
Annotation
In 1986, the Federal Prison System undertook a pilot project to examine the use of a single specially trained hearing officer to conduct administrative review hearings.
Abstract
Replacing the 3-man Discipline Hearing Committee, this approach was initiated at six institutions and evaluated by the Office of Research which collected information on the hearings and on staff and inmate reactions to the new procedure. Most inmate respondents agree discipline hearings are necessary but appear uncertain or indifferent as to the form the hearings should take. Staff, on the other hand, seem favorably impressed with the efficiency of the discipline hearing officer (DHO) program and are generally satisfied with the level of involvement for correctional services and particularly the Captain in the discipline process with the DHO program in place. They report a 25-percent reduction in the time they personally spend in discipline related matters since changing from the Institution Discipline Committee of the DHO system, and regard the DHO at their institution to be readily available to staff and responsive to administrative concerns. This fairly positive response was true both for correctional services staff and staff in other departments. 2 footnotes