Administrative Rule 835 - Grievance Procedures for Offenders (Arkansas)

This Arkansas Board of Corrections administrative rule (DOC 835 / DCP 7.14), board-approved 11/14/96 with a 12/1/96 effective date, is the governing authority for offender grievances in Arkansas prisons and community punishment centers. It requires each agency to issue administrative directives whose procedures must at minimum provide offender notice of the grievance process, timely, effective and impartial processing of grievances, an appeals process, appropriate documentation of grievance activity, and speedy disposition of emergency situations. The rule states that use of the grievance procedure shall occur without restraint, coercion, discrimination, interference or reprisal, and that violations will result in prompt and decisive action. Complaints regarding release, transfer, disciplinary matters, or other matters excluded by administrative directives are outside the grievance procedure.