NCJ Number
31038
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 39 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1975) Pages: 42-46
Date Published
1975
Length
5 pages
Annotation
A DESCRIPTION OF THE DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION, AND EVALUATION OF AN INMATE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE DEVELOPED FOR THE KARL HOLTON SCHOOL OF THE CALIFORNIA YOUTH AUTHORITY.
Abstract
THE FIRST STEP IN ESTABLISHING A GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE WAS THE APPOINTMENT OF A DEPARTMENTAL TASK FORCE TO DRAFT TENTATIVE PRINCIPLES FOR THE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES. THE PRINCIPLES CALLED FOR PARTICIPATION BY ELECTED INMATES AND LINE STAFF IN DESIGNING PROCEDURES; GUARANTEES AGAINST REPRISAL; GUARANTEES OF WRITTEN RESPONSES; TIME LIMITS ON RESPONSES; REPRESENTATION FOR COMPLAINTS; APPEALS TO INDEPENDENT REVIEW; AND MONITORING OF ALL PROCEDURES. AFTER REVIEW OF THE SEVERAL EXISTING TYPES OF INMATE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES, A PARTICIPATORY MODEL WAS CHOSEN. A COMMITTEE COMPOSED OF ELECTED INMATES AND APPOINTED STAFF WAS CHOSEN TO CONSIDER GRIEVANCES. THE COMMITTEE WAS HEADED BY A PERSON TRAINED IN TECHNIQUES OF MEDIATION. TWO LEVELS OF APPEAL ABOVE THE COMMITTEE WERE ESTABLISHED: REVIEW BY THE INSTITUTION SUPERINTENDENT OR DIRECTOR OF THE YOUTH AUTHORITY, AND APPEAL TO A TRIPARTITE OUTSIDE REVIEW PANEL CHAIRED BY A VOLUNTEER PROFESSIONAL ARBITRATOR WITH OTHER MEMBERS SELECTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE COMPLAINING INMATE. THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PROCEDURE AT KARL HOLTON IS BRIEFLY DESCRIBED. AN EVALUATION OF THE EARLY RESULTS SHOWED THAT INMATES' SATISFACTION WITH THE SYSTEM APPEARED TO BE IN DIRECT RELATION TO THE DEGREE OF PARTICIPATION BEFORE THE INMATE/STAFF COMMITTEE. STAFF REACTIONS WERE GENERALLY FAVORABLE OR NEUTRAL. IN GENERAL, IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT THE PROGRAM WAS A SUCCESS.