Prisoners’ Rights

Even the most chronic or hardened inmates have basic rights that are protected by the U.S. Constitution. If you are facing incarceration, or if you have a family member or friend who is in prison or jail, you should know about inmates’ rights.

The rights of inmates include the following:

• The right to humane facilities and conditions
• The right to be free from sexual crimes
• The right to be free from racial segregation
• The right to express condition complaints
• The right to assert their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act
• The right to medical care and attention as needed
• The right to appropriate mental health care
• The right to a hearing if they are to be moved to a mental health facility

Incarceration presents many challenges. If you or someone you know is facing time in prison or county jail, then you need to know about inmates’ rights. To find out about whether specific rights have been violated, such as inadequate medical care or blatant acts of abuse, you should speak with a civil rights attorney right away.