Prisoner rights in the United States
From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
All prisoners have the basic rights needed to survive and sustain a reasonable way of life. Most rights are taken away ostensibly so the prison system can maintain order, discipline, and security.[citation needed] Any of the following rights, given to prisoners, can be taken away for that purpose:
Prisoner may refer to one of the following:
- A person incarcerated in a prison or jail or similar facility.
- Prisoner of war, a combatant or non-combatant in wartime, held by a belligerent power
- Political prisoner, someone held in prison for their ideology.
- A person forcibly detained against his will, such as a victim of kidnapping; such prisoners may be held hostage, or held to ransom, but not necessarily in a prison or similar facility.[citation needed]
The right to:[citation needed]
- not be punished cruelly or unusually
- due processes
- administrative appeals
- access the parole process (denied to those incarcerated in the Federal System)
- practice religion freely
- equal protection (Fourteenth Amendment)
- be notified of all charges against them
- receive a written statement explaining evidence used in reaching a disposition
- file a civil suit against another person
- medical treatment (both long and short term)
- treatment that is both adequate and appropriate
- a hearing upon being relocated to the mental health facility.
- personal property such as: cigarettes, stationary, a watch, cosmetics, and snack-food
- visitation
- privacy
- food that would sustain an average person adequately.
- bathe (for sanitation and health reasons).
Many rights are taken away from prisoners often temporarily.[citation needed] For example, prison personnel are required to read and inspect all in-going or out-going mail, in order to prevent prisoners from obtaining contraband. The only time a prisoner has a full right to privacy is in conversations with their attorney.
See also
- Human rights in the United States#Prison system
- Prisoner abuse in the United States
- Penal labor in the United States
- Prison rape in the United States
- Organ donation in the United States prison population
