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One key element to providing those prisoner rights is the 8th amendment. The 8th amendment states that excessive bail amounts will not be charged to the defendant, and no cruel or unusual punishment will be imposed. Though this was originally only applied to federal prisoners, the U.S. Supreme court later began applying various aspects of the bill of rights to state jurisdictions as well. As such the 8th amendment became relevant to how inmates were being treated, and the conditions they were being forced to live under. Prisons are now accountable for filthy and unsanitary prison cells, as well as any misconduct on the part of the guards. They are also required to provide some form of rehabilitation program and treatment (Rosenburg, 1973). So while the 8th amendment is instrumental in providing a voice for the inmates, it’s also a major component in the evolution of the entire prison
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However, as important as they are I feel they should be limited to a certain extent. There comes a point when privileges are exercised so much that they are being abused, and I feel that’s the case with inmates and their rights. On average, prisoners file more than two lawsuits every day. In a six-year period this cost the state of California more than 190 million dollars, and the system continues to be bombarded with lawsuits by inmates. Prisoner initiated lawsuits are costly for just about everyone except the prisoners themselves, and while some of them are valid and require attention, others are mere attempts at working the systems to gain an advantage upon release (Citizens in Chains, 2008). Rights are necessary however, because they help hold our correctional system to a higher standard, ensuring adequate care and programs so that prisoners can receive the treatment they need to be able to rejoin our society. Prisoner rights have played a major role in the evolution of the prison system; they have been essential to creating treatment programs and helping keep inmates safe. So while I agree that prisoner rights are needed for the correctional system to operate, I think there should be additional sanctions to help reduce the more frivolous lawsuits that inmates
However, as important as they are I feel they should be limited to a certain extent. There comes a point when privileges are exercised so much that they are being abused, and I feel that’s the case with inmates and their rights. On average, prisoners file more than two lawsuits every day. In a six-year period this cost the state of California more than 190 million dollars, and the system continues to be bombarded with lawsuits by inmates. Prisoner initiated lawsuits are costly for just about everyone except the prisoners themselves, and while some of them are valid and require attention, others are mere attempts at working the systems to gain an advantage upon release (Citizens in Chains, 2008). Rights are necessary however, because they help hold our correctional system to a higher standard, ensuring adequate care and programs so that prisoners can receive the treatment they need to be able to rejoin our society. Prisoner rights have played a major role in the evolution of the prison system; they have been essential to creating treatment programs and helping keep inmates safe. So while I agree that prisoner rights are needed for the correctional system to operate, I think there should be additional sanctions to help reduce the more frivolous lawsuits that inmates