What does the Turner Test evaluate?

The Turner Test is primarily used to evaluate the balance between inmate rights and the needs of jail security. Established through the Turner v. Safley Supreme Court case, the test examines whether a prison regulation that restricts inmate rights is reasonably related to legitimate penological interests. This means that if a jail or prison institution imposes limitations on an inmate's rights, such as freedom of expression or association, those limitations must serve a valid security purpose or related concern.

The factors considered in the Turner Test include whether there is a valid, rational connection between the restriction and the governmental interest, whether alternative means are available for inmates to exercise their rights, and the impact that the accommodation of the asserted right would have on prison resources and safety. Thus, the test essentially weighs the rights of inmates against the operational needs of the correctional facility, seeking a balance that protects both security interests and individual rights.