What type of legal status do prisoners retain after conviction concerning their rights?

Prisoners retain limited rights after conviction, reflecting a balance between the need for security within correctional facilities and the fundamental rights of individuals. While incarcerated, individuals can lose certain privileges and rights, such as the right to vote or the freedom of movement. However, they still maintain basic constitutional rights, including the right to access the courts, protection against cruel and unusual punishment, and the right to practice their religion.

This limited status recognizes that while society has an interest in penal custody, inmates are not stripped of all human rights and dignity. Courts have ruled that prisoners should have access to necessary medical care and should not be subjected to inhumane treatment. The understanding of limited rights acknowledges these complexities and the ongoing responsibility of correctional facilities to uphold basic human rights standards even within the context of incarceration.