Students will review the following scenario, analyze the fac…
Students will review the following scenario, analyze the facts, and prepare arecommended course of action for the Commissioner of Corrections.Project Requirements:The format for the opinion is as follows:Using the following outline:1. Overview (1 paragraph each)1. Heading and Introduction2. Issues3. Brief Answer2. Detail1. Statement of Facts2. Discussion (including applicable case law)3. Course of Action1. Detailed(Caution: Stick to the facts presented. There is no value in repeating in yourpaper significant parts of the information already provided in the ProjectDescription.)Project Scenario:The Department of Correction has recently adopted a new mail policy. Effectiveimmediately, all inmate correspondence, both incoming and outgoing, must be on 5x7inch preÂstamped postcard. In addition, the policy restricts the color of ink that can beused; and requires that the return address be printed or written rather than being placedon an adhesive label.The Commissioner held a press conference and explained that there were two reasonsfor the policy change. The first reason for the change was that there has been asignificant increase in the amount of contraband being confiscated through the mail.The second reason given was that due to the volume of mail being received ininstitutions it is close to impossible to manage the mail processing operation; he statedthat there is very limited space available to secure the mail, and that the number ofCorrection Officers required to process the mail daily is becoming a significant drain onthe staffing requirements at facilities. The Department of Correction reported that it iscurrently 400 Correction Officers below the appropriate staffing levels. TheCommissioner further reported that the Department must compensate for the staffingshortages by employing staff on overtime shifts and by closing inmate programs in orderto assign staff to more important security posts.PreÂStamped 5×7 postcards are available for purchase in the inmate Commissary at acost of $.50 each. The Commissioner stated that indigent inmates will be provided withthree free postcards per week, providing that the meet the Departments definition ofindigence. The policy states that to be considered indigent, an inmate’s commissaryaccount must have less than a $10.00 balance for 45 days prior to the request forindigent supplies.As can be expected, several civil suits have been filed by both inmates and inmateadvocacy groups. The various suits claim that the policy change is a violation of theinmates’ First Amendment Rights, an invasion of privacy, and it interferes with theinmates’ access to the courts. The complaints further state that the policy changes areharassment, because they do not serve a legitimate correctional purpose; the majorityof prisons and jails, in the country, manage to process letters and packages, withoutresorting to such draconian measures.In addition to the civil suits filed by the inmates and advocacy groups, several legislatorshave demanded that the Commissioner immediately rescind the new policy and returnto the previous method of managing the mail process. There have also been severaleditorials in the state’s major newspapers condemning the changes as beingunnecessary and having no purpose other than to harass inmates and their families.Format Requirements1. Paper should be a minimum of 2,000 words (or eight pages) in APA format2. Double space3. 12 pt. font4. 1†margins5. Use APA citations for all sources6. Include reference page using APA format guidelines (not included in word count)7.8.9. Additionally  Create a cover page for your assignment (not included in wordcount)1. Include your name2. Course title and number3. Project title4. Date of submission
