Inmate Disciplinary Infractions 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An inmate is placed in disciplinary segregation pending a hearing. This pre-hearing placement is primarily intended to:
- Maintain institutional security and order (Correct answer)
- Punish the inmate before a finding
- Deny the inmate any meals
- Permanently revoke parole
Correct answer: Maintain institutional security and order
Pre-hearing segregation is an administrative measure to preserve safety and order, not a final punishment.
Question 2: Tampering with a security device, such as covering a cell door window or jamming a lock, is considered an infraction because it:
- Compromises the safe operation and security of the facility (Correct answer)
- Improves inmate privacy lawfully
- Is encouraged for fire safety
- Counts as approved cell decoration
Correct answer: Compromises the safe operation and security of the facility
Interfering with security devices undermines staff control and the safe operation of the institution.
Question 3: Which of the following would most likely be charged as 'fighting' rather than 'assault'?
- A mutual physical altercation between two inmates (Correct answer)
- A surprise stabbing of an unsuspecting inmate
- Throwing liquid on an officer
- Threatening staff with a weapon
Correct answer: A mutual physical altercation between two inmates
Fighting typically involves mutual combat, whereas assault involves an offensive or one-sided attack.
Question 4: An impartial decision-maker at a disciplinary hearing means the hearing officer should:
- Not have been a witness to or involved in the underlying incident (Correct answer)
- Always be the reporting officer for efficiency
- Be selected by the charged inmate
- Be a fellow inmate representative
Correct answer: Not have been a witness to or involved in the underlying incident
Due process requires the hearing official be impartial and not personally involved in the incident being judged.
Question 5: If an inmate is found in possession of another inmate's property without authorization, this is most likely charged as:
- Possession of stolen or unauthorized property (Correct answer)
- A legitimate trade
- A commissary error
- An approved gift
Correct answer: Possession of stolen or unauthorized property
Holding another inmate's property without authorization is treated as possession of stolen or contraband property.
Question 6: After a guilty finding, an inmate who disagrees with the outcome typically has the right to:
- File an administrative appeal of the disciplinary decision (Correct answer)
- Immediately sue for release
- Demand a new criminal trial
- Veto the sanction
Correct answer: File an administrative appeal of the disciplinary decision
Inmates may appeal a disciplinary finding through the facility's administrative appeal process.
Question 7: Brewing or possessing inmate-made alcohol ('pruno') is prohibited primarily because it:
- Creates intoxication, health, and security risks (Correct answer)
- Is a tax violation only
- Wastes commissary funds harmlessly
- Is allowed in small amounts
Correct answer: Creates intoxication, health, and security risks
Homemade intoxicants pose safety, health, and order risks, making their manufacture and possession a serious infraction.
Inmate Disciplinary Infractions 3
An inmate is placed in disciplinary segregation pending a hearing.
This pre-hearing placement is primarily intended to: