POLICE AND CORRECTIONAL USE OF FORCE - LEGAL AND POLICY STANDARDS ANDIMPLICATIONS

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