Regulation on Correctional Facilities

Correctional regulations for state and federal facilities protect inmates and staff.

A 2010 article from CareerOverview.com, "Corrections Officer Career Overview," states that 11 million people are incarcerated in U.S. prisons annually. Federal and state laws govern correctional facilities and provide protection for inmates and penal staff.

Title 28 and Contraband

Title 28 under the Code of Federal Regulations prohibits the proliferation of contraband in correctional facilities without the expressed permission of the warden. Contraband items, such as knives or drugs, pose a serious safety risk for inmates and correctional staff. Correctional officers uphold contraband regulations by performing routine checks of inmate cells.

Considerations

The 1990 Americans With Disabilities Act protects individuals with disabilities by mandating equal treatment in employment and public accommodations. Correctional facilities must provide disabled inmates with cells that promote mobility and easy accessibility. ADA also prohibits discrimination against inmates who use assistive technology like wheelchairs.

Warning

According to the 2008-2009 National Inmate Survey (NIS), 4.4 percent of prison inmates and 3.1 percent of jail inmates reported incidences of sexual abuse by an inmate or correctional staff member. The 2003 Prison Rape Elimination Act requires statistical reports like the NIS to measure the frequency and impact of sexual victimization in correctional facilities.

References

• CareerOverview.com: Corrections Officer Careers, Jobs and Training Information
• Legal Information Institute: Code of Federal Regulations--Title 28
• U.S. Department of Justice: ADA--Section 504 Design Guide
• Bureau of Justice Statistics: Sexual Victimization in Prisons and Jails Reported by Inmates
• National Institute of Corrections: Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003

Resources

• Federal Bureau of Prisons