People confined in jail or prison have a statutory, constitutional and civil right to redress the courts both in state and on the federal level when their civil rights are violated. First, see Article 2 section 6 of the Oklahoma Constitution. This is called Due Process of law which in found both in the Oklahoma Constitution, Article 2 section 7, and the United States Constitution; see the Fourteenth Amendment.

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The individuals who are confined in jail or prison have a constitutional right to be protected from arm by either those who confine them (jailers or prison guards and even from the activities of other prisoners). In such a case where the inmate is subjected to Eighth Amendment violates (cruel and unusual punishment) he/she would file a 42 U.S.C. section 1983 lawsuit in either state or federal court within the jurisdiction where the act occurred. Smith v. Wade, 103 S. Ct.1625. In some cases, depending on the severity of the situation, plaintiff can ask for and actually receive punitive damages. The legal standard for the award of punitive damages hinges on a finding that the officer displayed a callous or reckless disregard or a deliberate indifference to the inmate's right to safety. These damages are included with compensatory damages, which are awarded for the actual harm done to the plaintiff.