Legal Issues & Special Needs Inmates, Essay Example

Inmates have rights just like normal free citizens and other public figures confined in public institutions like nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. There are various reasons why it is important to understand the legal issues surrounding special population inmates.

First, the correctional institution has to understand that inmates with disabilities should be treated equally just like other inmates without any form of discrimination. Inmates with disabilities should be facilitated and necessary modifications made to the operations of the prison to ensure that they have reasonable access to all prison programs. Correctional institutions have to understand the legal facts in order to avoid being sued by prisoners for monetary damages.

Secondly, all correctional institutions have to understand the legal issues surrounding inmates with medical complications. For example, inmates with HIV/AIDS have the right to access medical treatment programs and should not be discriminated from any form of work be it working in the kitchen. Inmates with HIV/AIDS have the right to privacy and their status should not be disclosed without their consent. Any form of discrimination like segregation to such inmates should be highly prohibited. Knowing such legal issues will make the correctional institutions avoid violating the rights of inmate with HIV/AIDS and this will keep them off from being sued by such prisoners.

In addition, inmates with mental illness should also be allowed to access reasonable medication. Any medical administered to such inmates, whether forced or voluntary, should be in their best interest in terms of metal health of the inmate. It is not legal to administer medications to mentally ill inmates for convenience of the correctional institution. It is important for correctional institutions to understand these legal issues in order to avoid violation of such rights of inmates which may lead to a legal suit against them.

Correctional institutions also consider female offenders as special need offenders. They need to understand that these group need special attention especially those who are pregnant and those who are breastfeeding. In case they are mistreated and abortion occurs or their young ones die, they can easily sue the correctional institution.

In conclusion, it is important for all correctional institutions to understand the legal issues surrounding special population inmates to avoid being sued in cases of violation of the rights of such groups.