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Constitutional Rights of Inmates Chapter 10 Right to Rehabilitation Programs Right to Medical Aid, and Right to Life

Right to Rehab. U.S. Supreme Court in Pell v. Procunierstated rehabilitation was one of three primary purposesof punishmentAmerican Correctional Association Prison serves to protect society from crimeWhen its emphasis is on rehabilitationMany states have statutes that encourage rehab. Cour

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Constitutional Rights of Inmates Chapter 10 Right to Rehabilitation Programs Right to Medical Aid, and Right to Life

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    2. Right to Rehab U.S. Supreme Court in Pell v. Procunier stated rehabilitation was one of three primary purposes of punishment American Correctional Association Prison serves to protect society from crime When its emphasis is on rehabilitation Many states have statutes that encourage rehab

    3. Court Decisions Courts have refused to hold there is an absolute right to rehabilitation

    4. Right to Rehab Padgett v. State, 406 F.Supp. 287 (M.D.Pa. 1976) Inmates sued claiming failure to provide meaningful rehab programs was cruel and unusual punishment Court held no constitutional duty on govt to rehabilitate prisoners Question as to whether state should try to rehabilitate inmates in view of issue of effectiveness of rehabilitation programs Public policy issue best left to legislatures

    5. Does Rehab Work? 1970s trend among researchers was that “nothing works” If programs are ineffective, no reason to require states to attempt rehab

    6. Does Rehab Work? Recent research indicates that treatment programs do reduce recidivism Drug treatment courts (DTCs) Offenders who complete DTC have statistically significantly lower recidivism rates

    7. Rehab in Prison Prison and the “inmate culture” not conducive to effective treatment Inmates who sign up for rehab or educational programs just to build their parole file Treatment works best in a “therapeutic community” But research does support use of rehab programs in prison

    8. Right to Rehab Lack of meaningful rehabilitation programs has been one factor that courts have cited in finding state prison systems unconstitutional But only an element, not the sole element

    9. Right to Rehab Penal system cannot be operated in manner that impedes ability of inmates to attempt their own rehabilitation Harris County, Texas jail ordered to provide educational and vocational programs But inmates had no right to attend rehab programs outside institution

    10. Rehab Without Consent Aversion therapy (Clockwork Orange treatment) held unconstitutional. Inmates given nauseating injections for infraction of rules. Attempt to produce Pavlovian aversion to bad behavior. 8th Circuit held this cruel and unusual punishment. It was not treatment regardless of what they called it.

    11. Rehab Without Consent Courts held institutions could require educational programs Arkansas inmates sued to enjoin mandatory literacy programs Court held state had sufficient interest in eliminating illiteracy among inmates, and could require participation More than mere attendance can be required States can require meaningful participation, and impose sanctions for failure Completion of educational/vocational programs can be a factor for parole release.

    12. Consent to Experiments Is inmate’s consent voluntary or coerced? Scientists need volunteers Parole boards can reward volunteers for experiments Is it truly voluntary?

    13. Consent to Treatment Inmate has right to refuse drug treatment

    14. Type of Treatment Scope of rehabilitation is left to institution Court held that it within administration discretion to reject inmates for x-ray technician training program Absent arbitrary or capricious selection, court will not intervene Court has held pre-trial detainees entitled to continue methadone treatment program they were in prior to arrest

    15. Mental Health Cases District Court D.C. held persons who had been involuntarily committed to mental institution after acquittal on basis of insanity had right to treatment Minnesota D.C. has held that persons who were committed after involuntary civil commitment hearing were entitled to at least minimal treatment NYDC held that persons who had been committed were entitled to treatment regardless of whether commitment was civil or criminal

    16. Mental Health Cases O’Connor v. Donaldson, 422 U.S. 563 (1975) 5th Circuit had held that mental patient who had been involuntarily committed to state hospital was entitled to rehabilitative treatment, or at least to adequate habilitation if treatment was impossible. Non-dangerous person could not be held in custody if he could survive on his own or with help of family or friends. Superintendent of hospital entitled to defense of qualified immunity to civil damages because there was state law that authorized continued confinement of person like P. U.S. Supreme Court reversed the 5th Circuit and remanded for determination of liability in light of qualified immunity defense. Supreme Court refused to decide whether mental patients have constitutional right to treatment as result of their detention by the state.

    17. Mills v. Rogers, 457 U.S. 291 (1982)

    18. Youngberg v. Romeo, 457 U.S. 307 (1982)

    19. Juveniles and Treatment District of Columbia Juvenile Court Act mandates treatment Morales v. Turman, US District Court (E.D. Texas) held that incarcerated juvenile had to be placed in treatment program that had been designed to suit needs of juvenile. These cases could indicate a trend that could eventually expand to adults and treatment.

    20. Sex Offenders and Treatment California enacted indeterminate sentence for sex offenders (1 day to life) Calif. Supreme Court held that confinement for this sentence without treatment was cruel and unusual punishment Indeterminate sentence implied that inmate could be released if he got better and no longer a danger Only way to get better was through treatment

    21. Sex Offenders and Treatment New York modified its sex offender statute to eliminate a right to treatment Ohlinger v. Watson, 9th Circuit ruled Oregon sex offender statute requires treatment for sex offenders Research on effectiveness of treatment of sex offenders – mixed results

    22. Right to Treatment If state confines a man for purpose of helping him; Right to withhold freedom depends on whether help is provided When legislature justifies confinement on promise of treatment, it commits state to provide resources to fulfill promise

    23. Administrative Review Supreme Court held that administrative review (rather than court review) was most effective way to determine whether or not inmates should be required to take antipsychotic drugs

    24. Administrative Review Washington State Prison had special unit for felons with severe mental disorders Some inmates refused to take medication prescribed

    25. Administrative Review State Prison administration established review board to conduct administrative hearing to determine whether inmates should be required to take drugs Hearing conducted by review board Psychiatrist Psychologist Associate warden of unit

    26. Administrative Review None of board members were involved in treatment of inmates Hearing complied with Turner v. Safley State had interest in safety and security which may exceed rights of inmate to refuse treatment Inmate had right to be present at hearing Right to present evidence Right to counsel substitute Any decision to medicate was subject to periodic review

    27. Right to Medical Care Common complaint is inadequate medical care Inmate cannot provide for own medical care Inmates are restrained Cannot select treatment provider Cannot control treatment from open market

    28. Right to Medical Care Inmates have greater need for medical care than general public Many inmates have mental problems 70% inmates have drug or alcohol problems AIDS, hepatitis and TB Overcrowding, poor nutrition, lack of exercise aggravate problems Incarceration intensifies concern over physical symptoms due to boredom

    29. Inmate Suits Over Medical Care Inadequate medical care Denial of medical care Improper medical care

    30. Federal Jurisdiction Over Medical Care Issues Inmate must allege existence of a federally protected right. Due process under 5th and 14th Amendments Right to be free from abuse of discretion regarding life and health Right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment under 8th Amendment Intentional denial of needed medical care Official’s conduct indicates deliberate indifference to medical needs of inmate

    31. Federal Tort Claims Act 42 USC §2674 Provides cause of action against US government for negligence, including medical negligence Applies to medical treatment of federal prisoners

    32. Americans With Disabilities Act 42 USC §12101 Prevents discrimination against persons with disabilities Applies to persons in any federally funded “program or activity” Can apply to federal prisoners

    33. Right to Medical Care - Remedies Constitutional guarantee against cruel and unusual punishment do not mean inmate will be cured of any real or imagined medical problems Inmate only entitled to medical care through diagnosis and treatment as is reasonably available under the circumstances of his confinement and medical condition

    34. Adequacy of Medical Care Gates v. Collier, 501 F.2d 1291 (5th Cir. 1974) Medical treatment at Mississippi State Penitentiary 1800 inmates One full-time physician and several inmate assistants Substandard hospital Court ruled services and conditions inadequate

    35. Adequacy of Medical Care Gates v. Collier, 501 F.2d 1291 (5th Cir. 1974) State ordered to employ three full-time physicians, including one psychiatrist; two full-time dentists; two full-time physicians assistants; six full-time RNs or LPNs; one medical records librarian; two medical clerical personnel; consultant services of a radiologist and pharmacist. Upgrade hospital and equipment Comply with American Correctional Association standards regarding medical care for inmates

    36. Adequacy of Medical Care Gates v. Collier, 501 F.2d 1291 (5th Cir. 1974) Not punish inmates for seeking medical care unless superintendent finds the inmate was malingering Not use inmates to fill above positions, but may use inmates to supplement this staff

    37. Adequacy of Medical Care Lack of funds is not a defense When institution reaches the level that care is “adequate” courts again back off to the old “hands off” position

    38. Adequacy of Medical Care Individual treatment Generally, court will find a constitutional violation only if the medical condition was serious and not attended to The “deliberate indifference” standard

    39. Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97 (1976)

    40. Deliberate Indifference Elements Objective element- must be “sufficiently serious” Subjective element - Official must act with “sufficiently culpable state of mind”

    41. Deliberate Indifference More than negligence, but less than intentional conduct Knows of and disregards a substantial risk of serious harm

    42. Deliberate Indifference What is “sufficiently serious”? (need not be life-threatening) Mandates treatment Even lay person would recognize condition needs doctors attention Causes pain Condition significantly affects persons daily activities Possibility of life-long handicap or serious loss if untreated.

    43. Pre-Trial Detainees Supreme Court has not ruled on what standard applies Lower courts have held same standards of medical care of Estelle v. Gamble that apply to prison inmates apply to pretrial detainees

    44. Initial Screening Several cases have held adequate medical system requires medical screening of all inmates within reasonable time after entering the prison Determine whether inmate has a condition that requires treatment Whether inmate has any contagious disease

    45. HIV Inmates Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Disease where immune system fails Viral agent is human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) If virus is in person’s blood they are HIV positive If virus develops into AIDS, it is fatal

    46. HIV Inmates-Litigation Testing/Screening Tests became available in 1985, but not fully reliable Delay between infection and when test will show positive Suits to require testing for AIDS Courts usually defer to judgment of prison Suits to prohibit mandatory testing-grounds that it violates right to privacy Courts usually defer to prison Held that prison has reasonable basis for testing inmates

    47. HIV Inmates-Litigation Segregation Uninfected inmates have sued to force segregation of HIV positive inmates. Courts have refused to require prisons to segregate Infected inmates have sued to prevent being segregated. Courts have refused to prevent segregation when prison deems it necessary.

    48. HIV Inmates-Litigation Reasons given for upholding segregation are prevention of spread of disease; protection of infected inmates from hostile uninfected inmates and diagnostic and treatment ease.

    49. HIV Inmates-Litigation Confidentiality Some courts have found that unnecessary disclosure of HIV status violates right to privacy Crucial factor is whether disclosure is necessary disclosure to doctor will always be necessary disclosure to another inmate usually not necessary

    50. HIV Inmates-Litigation Treatment AIDS inmates entitled to treatment just like any other disease Failure to treat will be 8th Amendment violation Inmate only entitled to minimally adequate treatment Negligence is not enough for a valid claim-must be deliberate indifference Education on spread of AIDS is essential element of AIDS treatment programs

    51. HIV Inmates-Litigation Access to Programs and Services HIV inmates often segregated-this results in denial of certain prison programs Early cases held this was not a violation Recent cases look at whether or not the denial is reasonably related to medical factors

    52. HIV Inmates HIV inmates who are seriously ill should seek: Early release Medical furlough Clemency

    53. Suicide Jail suicide is a serious problem Intoxicated inmates make up large number of jail suicides Duty to protect inmates who are at risk for suicide No liability on part of city or county unless plaintiff can show a causal link between the suicide and the jail policy.

    54. Suicide Two categories of liability for jail suicide claims Jailer failed to discover the inmate’s suicidal tendencies Jailer discovered suicidal tendency, but failed to take preventive measures

    55. Rellergert v. Cape Girardeau County, 924 F.2d 794 (8th Cir. 1991)

    56. Suicide Most cases of jail suicide will be negligence cases, not constitutional cases of “deliberate indifference.” Cases that are deliberate indifference will be for failure to have adequate staff to monitor inmates; failure to train staff in screening for suicidal tendencies. Also, liability will be found when suicidal tendency of inmate is discovered, and failure to take basic steps to prevent; such as observation of inmate and training of officers.

    57. Right to Life Derived from 8th Amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment Originally intended to prohibit torture and related punishment Furman v. Georgia held that it applied to death penalty Death penalty was applied in arbitrary and capricious manner 2 justices held death penalty was cruel and unusual per se

    58. Right to Life Majority of states modified death penalty statutes to create standards Gregg v. Georgia considered standards of five states death penalty laws Georgia had bifurcated proceeding Jury decided whether to impose death penalty Considered aggravating and mitigating circumstances Automatic review by appellate court

    59. Right to Life U.S. Supreme Court upheld three states DP laws, Georgia, Florida and Texas, and struck down two, North Carolina and Louisiana Florida law had bifurcated proceeding where judges decide penalty based upon specific standards, following recommendation by jury Texas had bifurcated proceeding whereby jury decided penalty based upon specific guidelines North Carolina and Louisiana had mandatory DP for certain offenses. This was struck down.

    60. Standards fo Death Penalty Supreme Court has not allowed DP where defendant did not kill victim

    61. Coker v. Georgia, 433 U.S. 584 (1977)

    62. Kennedy v. Louisiana, No. 07-343, Decided June 25, 2008

    63. Death Penalty Standards Enmund v. Florida, reversed DP for non-triggerman in felony murder case. But in that case the reason for reversal was because state did not allow evidence of lack of intent Court will allow DP where killer did not have specific intent to kill if evidence shows reckless indifference to human life

    64. Mitigating Circumstances Supreme Court has held that state may not prevent jury from considering mitigating factors in deciding penalty State must allow all relevant evidence of mitigating factors Sumner v. Nevada, 483 U.S. 66 (1987) – Nevada law required DP for prisoner who convicted of murder while serving life without parole for an earlier murder. Court ruled this unconstitutional. State must allow jury to consider mitigating circumstances.

    65. Aggravating Circumstances State’s list of aggravating circumstances may be so vague as to allow too much discretion.

    66. State Constitutional Law States may have higher standards than U.S. Const Thirteen states have abolished capital punishment

    67. Mental Condition of Defendant 8th Amendment prohibits DP for insane defendant. Ford v. Wainwright In 2002 Atkins v. Virginia held DP for mentally retarded person was cruel and unusual punishment

    68. Age of Defendant 16-17 year old person may get DP, Penry v. Lynaugh DP reversed for 15 year old defendant, Thompson v. Oklahoma

    69. Methods of Execution Hanging has been upheld Hanging was method of capital punishment at time of ratification of Constitution and the 8th Amendment Just because hanging does not always cause instantaneous death not render it cruel and unusual Method must only not cause unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain.

    70. Methods of Execution Lethal Injection

    71. Methods of Execution Baze v. Rees, 553 U.S. ___ (2008)

    72. Civil Disabilities Loss of civil rights Historically felons lost all civil right –“civil death” This no longer the law

    73. Voting rights Supreme Court held California law which disenfranchised felons not violate equal protection clause. Some states allow felons to vote after completion of sentence All states allow voting after pardon

    74. Firearms Gun Control Act prohibits felon from possessing firearm that has been shipped in interstate commerce. Includes firearm that was ever shipped interstate even if felon purchased the firearm within his state Persons convicted of misdemeanor or felony domestic violence also prohibited from possessing firearm

    75. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Supreme Court held that ADA does apply to state prisons- Pennsylvania Dept. of Corrections v. Yeskey, 524 U.S. 206 (1998)

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