Everything You Need To Know About Prisoner Rights Cases
Maintaining Your Rights While Incarcerated
Incarcerated individuals and free individuals alike are afforded certain inalienable rights in the United States of America. Though by their incarceration inmates they are paying a debt to society, society does not expect them to check civil rights at the jailhouse door. We expect them to be protected and treated with dignity and respect, and the facilities which house them are supposed to guarantee their safety and care. Unfortunately, however, inmate abuse is all too common in the United States. In some instances, prisoners have been subjected to barbaric punishment and deprivations that are simply inhumane.
If you’re an inmate or the family member of someone who is currently incarcerated, you should know that the prosecution and conviction of an individual does not preclude an individual from exercising certain rights behind bars. Prisoners’ rights cases are common, and this is because there are plenty of conscientious inmate rights attorneys who are willing to move through the legal hurdles to ensure their incarcerated clients are afforded the protections they deserve. The types of cases which these attorneys take up are outlined below.
What Inmates Are Entitled To?
While prisoners’ rights law is expansive, the should-be guaranteed protections listed below are sometimes absent:
- Inmates should not be subjected to cruel and unusual punishment; they shouldn’t be subject to inhumane conditions and treatment.
- Inmates should not be punished or inhumanely treated while awaiting trial.
- Inmates are supposed to be safe from sexual harassment and abuse.
- Inmates cannot be punished for expressing or reporting inadequate facility conditions and treatment.
- Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, disabled inmates cannot be denied accommodations.
- Inmates are entitled to timely and adequate medical and mental health care.
Understanding Excessive Force In The Context Of Prison
Under the Eighth Amendment, prison officials are legally obligated to refrain from using excessive force with prisoners. Furthermore, they’re expected to protect prisoners from assault by other inmates. Of course, officers may, in good faith, use force to keep things in order, but by no means is an officer allowed to intentionally cause harm to an inmate. Additionally, if a prison officer does not take proper precautions to ensure an inmate’s safety—or if they don’t respond when someone is being assaulted—they are in violation of the Eighth Amendment and should be held responsible.
Excessive force cases are commonly handled by jail rights lawyers, as these legal experts understand the intricacies of prisoners’ rights as well as the duties which prison officers are expected to carry out. This is why, if you believe you have a prisoner rights case, you should reach out to an attorney.
Inmates Rights Attorneys: Why They’re So Helpful
There are many ways for individuals to be denied their rights while incarcerated, and any individual who has experienced abuse at the hands of a corrections officer should be awarded just compensation. An inmate’s family can also pursue legal remedies on their behalf.
No matter what put you behind bars, you deserve to be treated like a human being, and this truth is what empowers our experienced and committed attorneys to fight for the rights of inmates every day. The Sandberg Law Firm will stand with you to ensure that your rights are protected. Reach out to us now to set up a free initial consultation.