Up until the 1960s, the U.S. Courts took a “hands-off policy” with respect to offender rights, as most judges subscribed to the belief that prisoners did not have individual rights. Since that time, major reforms have been instituted which afford individuals under correctional supervision four foundations that support their legal rights – constitutions, statutes, case law, and regulations.
For this discussion:
- Explain the courts’ “hands-off policy” and its impact on prisoners
- Give examples of how the 4 types of law mentioned above help support offenders’ rights
- Decide and discuss whether or not you think prisoners should have constitutional rights, and if so, which ones. Defend your position
Instructions
- Initial discussion post should be a minimum 250 words
- Post should be substantive and free of writing errors
- Cite and reference all sources, including course text, using APA format
