Which legal document outlines the rights of inmates?

The U.S. Constitution serves as the foundational document for the rights of all citizens, including inmates. It guarantees fundamental rights and protections that extend to individuals within the correctional system. Key amendments, such as the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment, and the Fourteenth Amendment, which ensures due process and equal protection under the law, play a significant role in defining the legal rights of inmates.

While the Indiana State Code and the Corrections Handbook may provide specific regulations and guidelines pertinent to the state or correctional facilities, they operate within the framework established by the U.S. Constitution and cannot supersede it. The Bill of Rights, which is part of the U.S. Constitution, specifically enumerates the rights of citizens but is not a standalone legal document in the same sense as the Constitution as a whole. Therefore, the U.S. Constitution is the most encompassing and authoritative source when it comes to outlining and protecting the rights of inmates.