NCJ Number
58586
Date Published
1976
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS VIDEO CASSETTE FROM THE NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE EXECUTIVE TRAINING PROGRAM IN ADVANCED CRIMINAL JUSTICE PRACTICE INDICATES THE NEED FOR AND THE METHODS OF ESTABLISHING A CHANNEL FOR PRISONERS' COMPLAINTS.
Abstract
IN A PRESENTATION FOR CORRECTIONS ADMINISTRATORS, STAFF, AND INMATES, THE FORMATION AND OPERATION OF AN EFFECTIVE PRISON GRIEVANCE MECHANISM IS SHOWN AS A PEACEFUL MEANS OF SOLVING AN INSTITUTION'S INTERNAL PROBLEMS. ALTHOUGH MANY FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TO THE OCCURRENCE OF VIOLENCE IN PRISONS, INTERVIEWS WITH PRISON ADMINISTRATORS CONFIRM THE IMPRESSION THAT A GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE PROVIDES A METHOD FOR THE EXPRESSION OF DISCONTENT WITHOUT RESORT TO VIOLENCE, AND PROVIDES ADMINISTRATORS WITH INFORMATION ON INTERNAL CONDITIONS AND THE SCOPE OF PROBLEMS IN THE PRISON. GRIEVANCE MECHANISMS FULFILL THE NEED FOR THE SHARING OF POWER AND RESPONSIBILITY WITHIN AN INSTITUTION, AS WELL AS SATISFYING THE OBLIGATION OF DUE PROCESS OF LAW IN DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS. A SYSTEM OUGHT TO BE TAILORED TO THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF EACH PRISON OR JAIL, WITH ALL AFFECTED PERSONNEL HAVING SOME ABILITY TO RECOMMEND A PREFERRED DESIGN. SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SYSTEM REQUIRES CAREFUL AND THOROUGH TRAINING OF STAFF, AND CONTINUAL EVALUATION OF OPERATIONS. THE COMMITMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATION IS CONSIDERED VITAL. DESIGN PRINCIPLES SHOULD ALLOW FOR OUTSIDE REVIEW OF ANY DECISIONS OF THE GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE, AND SHOULD ALLOW ADEQUATE PROTECTION OF INMATES AGAINST REPRISAL AND SAFEGUARDS AGAINST UNSUBSTANTIATED CLAIMS AGAINST STAFF. (TWK).