NCJ Number
141424
Journal
Large Jails Network Bulletin Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: (April 1989) Pages: 2-3
Date Published
1989
Length
2 pages
Annotation
By creating an incentive for inmates to use grievance procedures rather than filing complaints in Federal court, the inmate grievance plan developed in Maricopa County, Arizona, has demonstrated its cost-effectiveness.
Abstract
The plan allows inmates to begin with the officer in charge of their housing unit in attempting to resolve grievances. If the grievance cannot be resolved at this level, it advances through a multistep appeal process. A formal hearing may be held; if the hearing officer cannot resolve the grievance, the appeal is forwarded to the highest internal level, the division commander. If the inmate is not satisfied with the division commander's decision, he or she may appeal to an external referee, the final step in the grievance procedure. The external referee will make a decision on the grievance within 14 days. The inmate grievance plan has significantly reduced the number of Federal complaints. Further, no additional personnel are required for the plan; its only operating expenses are billings submitted by the external referee. Overall, the inmate grievance plan has reduced county attorney office expenses by about 85 percent by keeping inmate complaints out of Federal court.