Case #1

Corrections officers at the main gate receive a report that a fight involving twelve prisoners has broken out in Cellblock C and that the corrections officers in Cellblock C are unable to break up the fight. Seven corrections officers run down the corridor from the main gate toward Cellblock C. As they round a corner, they practically run into inmate Johnny Wishbone who is mopping and waxing the corridor floor. One officer grabs Wishbone by the shoulders and throws him aside while saying, "Get out of the way!" Wishbone falls into a wall, dislocates his shoulder, and later files a lawsuit against the officer by claiming that the rough treatment and resulting injury violated his rights.

Were his rights violated? Can you explain why you think his rights were or were not violated. Include any relevant cases and amendments to fully support position.

Case #2

A prison chapel is used every Sunday for Christian services. A small group of prisoners reserve the chapel for each Tuesday evening where they meet to study an ancient religion from Asia that they claim to follow. For two years, they use the chapel every Tuesday to meditate and discuss books about their religion, and they do not cause any trouble. Then, one year Christmas falls on a Wednesday, and the Asian religion group is told that they cannot have their meeting because the chapel is needed for a Christian Christmas eve service. They file a lawsuit claiming that their rights are being violated because they cannot use the chapel on Christmas Eve.

Are their rights being violated? Can you explain why you think their rights were or were not violated. Include any relevant cases and amendments to fully support position.

PAROLE BOARD RELEASE

Imagine that you are a member of a parole board.

Case #3

Johnny Hooker was convicted of first-degree murder and given a sentence of twenty years to life in prison. As a seventeen-year-old, he had robbed an elderly couple and then shot each of them in the head as they were lying on the ground. Now, at age thirty-seven, he has spent twenty years in prison. He has never had any major rules infractions in prison. He earned his high school diploma and a bachelor's degree while in prison. He has nearly completed a master's degree program in counseling. He has led a Bible study program for ten years. He organized a "Scared Straight" program in which juvenile offenders are taken on a prison tour by lifers and given a realistic view of the harsh realities of prison. In response to his appearance before the parole board, a citizens' petition containing five hundred names has arrived asking that his parole be denied.

Will you release Johnny? Explain in great detail the factors used to come to your decision.

Case #4

Molly Madhatter has served eighteen years in prison after being convicted of felony murder. Her sentence was 20 years to life for driving the getaway car for a pawnshop robbery in which the store's owner was killed by the robbers. One of the two men who actually robbed the store has already been released on parole. He was given a shorter sentence for testifying against the woman and the other robber. In prison, she learned how to do legal research and she has been promised a job as a paralegal in a law office. She had several disciplinary infractions for refusing to obey orders from staff. She also refused to participate in prison counseling programs.

Will you release Molly? Explain in great detail the factors used to come to your decision.