At over 500 8 ½ by 11 pages, Prisoners Rights Resource Guide is the most thorough guide available on the rights of prisoners, the responsibilities of staff, and the standards by which prisons must operate. Included in this resource book are plain-English interpretations of dozens of recent (up to and including 2004) and landmark U.S. Supreme Court decisions, with the text of the cases themselves. There is also an overview of prisoners rights presented by a respected legal practitioner.

Other features include a presentation of international standards by a special committee of the United Nations, an analysis of ways to improve prisons by a blue-ribbon panel of the American Bar Association, and an easy-to-follow glossary of legal terms found in prison documents. This information-filled guide is for anyone concerned with the well- being of the more than two million men and women behind bars in America today, including families of inmates, researchers, writers, corrections officials, activists, volunteers, and prisoners themselves.

The full table of contents appears below:

Section One
Overview of Prisoners Rights in America
Conditions of Confinement
Medical Attention and Care
Permissible Use of Force
Access to the Courts
Prison Regulations
Mechanisms to Secure Rights
Understanding the Prison Litigation Reform Act
Filing Claims in Federal Versus State Courts

Section Two
International Standards for the Treatment of Prisoners
Level of Violence
Health Conditions
Dignity of Prisoners
Treatment of Women in Prison

Section Three
Landmark Supreme Court Decisions
Thirteen crucial cases are presented and discussed, including Procunier V. Martinez (1974) declaring that inmate letters to outsiders cannot be censored and Turner V. Safley (1987) stating that inmates have a constitutional right to marry.

Section Four
Recent Supreme Court Decisions — 1990 to 2004
Thirty-six cases are presented and discussed, including Muhammad V. Close (2004) declaring that inmates are permitted to file a civil rights action against abusive prison officers and Washington V. Harper (1990) stating that prison officials can require an inmate to take psychiatric drugs if the inmate poses an immediate danger to himself or herself or to others.

Section Five
Study Findings and Recommendations of the American Bar Association
Justice Kennedy on the Need for Law Reform
ABA Study Commission Formation
Overview of Study Commission Report
Discussion and Recommendations Regarding Prisons

Section Six
Glossary of Legal Terms
Over 400 terms defined with easily understandable explanations and examples

If you order Prisoners Rights Resource Guide now, you will pay only $84.00, including shipping and handling (a 15% savings from our regular price of $99.00). Purchase orders are acceptable from established organizations. You can also order on line at www.PrisonsFoundation.org. Hardbound edition now available for an additional $15.00. (Publication date 2005)

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