Police and Correctional Use of Force: Legal and Policy Standards and Implications

Abstract

In the 1980s, the police use of deadly force against nonviolent felons began to be questioned. This critical examination culminated in the decision in Tennessee v. Garner, which ruled that the police could use deadly force only in certain life-threatening situations. However, a decade after Garner, there are few limitations on the use of deadly force by correctional officers in situations where prisoners are attempting to escape. This article compares correctional deadly force policies and practices with current standards governing police use of deadly force. Court actions that might limit such practices and the potential consequences of not adopting more restrictive policies prior to court intervention are discussed.