Police Courts and Corrections - Essay Example

Use of inhumane strategies by wardens to contain an inmate’s behavior either directly or indirectly could cause such wardens to be sued. This could be attributed to the violation of laws that dictate that for whatever reason a person is incarcerated, such a person should not suffer pain beyond liberty deprivation and that even the most atrocious offender should be treated with dignity and respect. The report of such violations by a Rikers Island jail guards by Weiser (2009) provides an example of how wardens’ actions could cause them to be sued.

This reporter observes that the jail’s wardens influenced other inmates to attack inmates who exhibited undesirable conduct. It was such action by the wardens that led to the death of Christopher Robinson, an 18-year old inmate, on 18th October 2009. Three wardens were linked to the death and charged by the Bronx district attorney of larceny and assault among other charges. Therefore, whereas wardens are charged with maintaining order in correctional facilities, they are limited by the need to respect human rights from acting inhumanely.