Mississippi DOC Administrative Remedy Program (Inmate Handbook Chapter VIII)

Chapter VIII of the Mississippi Department of Corrections Inmate Handbook sets out the Administrative Remedy Program (ARP), the formal mechanism inmates must use before filing a lawsuit. A request must be made in writing within 30 days of the incident, must clearly state the phrase 'this is a request for administrative remedy,' and should answer who, what, when, where and how. Initial complaints and appeals are submitted through the Inmate Legal Assistance Program office by completing an ILAP request form with the deadline date. The ARP Director screens every request, and rejections are noted on Form ARP-1 for reasons such as relief beyond MDOC's power, a lapse of more than 30 days, or multiple complaints on one form; the inmate then has five days to file a corrected grievance. Unless extended, no more than 90 days may elapse from start to finish, with extension requests of up to five days each and cumulative extensions capped at 25 days. Sensitive complaints may be filed directly with the ARP Director, emergency requests go straight to the Director, and disciplinary (RVR) appeals must be filed within 15 days.