Prison Litigation Reform Act

The Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA), enacted in 1996, is a U.S. law aimed at reducing the number of lawsuits filed by inmates against prison officials. It requires prisoners to exhaust all available administrative remedies before they can file a lawsuit. The law also limits the ability of inmates to receive monetary damages for emotional distress unless they can prove physical injury. By imposing these restrictions, the PLRA seeks to alleviate court burdens, while ensuring that legitimate grievances can still be addressed effectively within the prison system.