The Rights of the Accused following Trial

By and large, prisoners are entitled to only a "minimal civilized measure of shelter." Prisoners have a modicum of rights, but most of them may be curtailed in the interests of security. Established rights of prisoners include: the right to sufficient nourishment; the right to be free from arbitrary punishment on the basis of beliefs, religion, or racial and ethnic origin; the right to be free from constant physical restraint; the right to access to the courts and to legal materials; the right to a minimal amount of exercise; the right to adequate medical care; the right to essential personal hygiene; and the right to adequate heat, cooling, ventilation, and light. Other rights, such as the right to see visitors, the right to send and receive mail, the right to free speech, the right to practice religion, the right to privacy, and the right to personal property all may be infringed upon to the point necessary to preserve safety and security within the prison.