Incarceration and the Law

Cases and Materials

Statutes, Treaties, and Regulations

Posted documents are available for easy download here.

Chapter 1. Prison, Jail, and Prisoners' Rights: An Introduction

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PART I: CONDITIONS OF CONFINEMENT

Chapter 2. Conditions of Confinement

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Chapter 3. Solitary Confinement

Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment, or Punishment, adopted Dec. 10, 1984, 1456 U.N.T.S. 85.
U.N. Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules) GA Res. 70/175 (Dec. 17, 2015)

Chapter 4. Programming, Work, and Reentry

Ashurst-Sumners Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1761-1762
Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. §§ 201 et seq.
Federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1589(a), 1594(a)
U.N. Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (The Nelson Mandela Rules), G.A. Res. 70/175 (Dec. 17, 2015)

Chapter 5. Sexual Abuse

Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), 34 U.S.C. §§ 30301 et seq.
Department of Justice PREA Rule, 28 C.F.R. Part 115.
Department of Homeland Security PREA Rule, 6 C.F.R. Part 115.
Fla. Stat. 944.35
Okla. Stat. Tit. 21 § 1111

PART II: CIVIL LIBERTIES

Chapter 6. Freedom of Expression and Religion

Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000bb et seq.
Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000cc et seq.

Chapter 7. Access to the Courts

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Chapter 8. Procedural Due Process

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Chapter 9. Searches

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PART III: PARTICULAR PRISONER POPULATIONS

Chapter 10. Race and National Origin Discrimination

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Chapter 11. Women Prisoners

UN Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-Custodial Measures for Women Offenders (The Bangkok Rules), A/C.3/65/L.5 (2010)

Chapter 12. LGBTQ Prisoners

Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), 34 U.S.C. §§ 30301 et seq.
Department of Justice PREA Rule, 28 C.F.R. Part 115
Department of Homeland Security PREA Rule, 6 C.F.R. Part 115

Chapter 13. Disability

Americans with Disabilities Act
- 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq.
- Title II regulations (selected provisions; all)
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504
- 29 U.S.C. § 794(a)
- Section 504 Regulations, 28 C.F.R. §§ 42.500 et seq.

PART IV: LITIGATION AND REMEDIES

Chapter 14. Injunctive Litigation

Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 1997 et seq. (Posted version includes both 1980 and current version on exhaustion)
Prison Litigation Reform Act, Pub. L. No. 104-134 (see in particular 18 U.S.C. § 3626)
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60

Chapter 15. Damages: Causes of Action and Defenses

42 U.S.C. § 1983 and 42 U.S.C. § 1988
Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. §§ 1356(b), 2671-2680
Prison Litigation Reform Act, Pub. L. No. 104–134.
(See in particular: 18 U.S.C. § 3626 note, 42 U.S.C. § 1997e, 28 U.S.C. § 1915, 28 U.S.C. § 1915A)

Chapter 16. The Litigation Process

Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 1997 et seq. (Posted version redlined to show changes since 1980 enactment)
Prison Litigation Reform Act, Pub. L. No. 104–134 (1996). See in particular:
- 42 U.S.C. § 1997e
- 28 U.S.C. § 1915
- 28 U.S.C. § 1915A
Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) regulations:
- For all PREA regulations see: DOJ PREA Rule, 28 C.F.R. Part 115; DHS PREA Rule, 6 C.F.R. Part 115 (see in particular 28 C.F.R. § 115.52(b)(3); 28 C.F.R. § 115.52(c); 28 C.F.R. § 115.52(b)(1)).
Court filing fees
- 28 U.S.C. § 1914
- U.S. District Court Misc. Fee Schedule (Oct. 1, 2019)
- U.S. Court of Appeals Misc. Fee Schedule

Chapter 17. Private Prisons and Prison Contractors

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Chapter 18. Criminal Prosecution of Prison/Jail Staff

18 U.S.C. § 241, conspiracy to violate civil rights
18 U.S.C. § 242, willful deprivation of federal rights under color of law
18 U.S.C. § 371, conspiracy to commit any federal criminal offense
18 U.S.C. § 1001, knowingly and willfully making false statements regarding a matter within the jurisdiction of the federal government
18 U.S.C. § 1512, witness tampering, by physical force or its threat
18 U.S.C. § 1519, evidence tampering
18 U.S.C. § 2243, sexual activity between federal prisoners/detainees and custodial officials
Mass. Ann. Laws. ch. 265, § 37, violation of civil rights under color of law
N.D. Cent. Code §§ 12.1–14–01, “Official Oppression”
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.45, interfering with civil rights under color of law

Chapter 19. Accountability: Voting, Standards, and External Oversight

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Chapter 20. The COVID-19 Pandemic Behind Bars

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