Punishment In Prison Not Unusual, Court Rules

Losing prison privileges after contraband is found in an inmate’s locker is nothing unusual in a prison setting, the Idaho Supreme Court says.

Inmate James Schevers filed a court petition after he was ordered to serve 55 days in disciplinary segregation after a guard found an illegal drug in the inmate’s locker.

His petition claimed his rights to due process were violated.

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Tuesday that under a 1995 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, in a prison discipline setting, an inmate is not entitled to due process protections unless the potential punishment is out of the ordinary and a significant hardship.

In a prison, 55 days with reduced privileges is not unusual or a significant hardship, the court said.