Arkansas runs its entire grievance process on a single form. You use the same Unit Level Grievance Form for both the informal resolution step and the formal grievance step, just completing different sections as you move through the process. That is one of Arkansas's most distinctive features. The other is this: you cannot attach additional pages at any level. The space on the form is what you have. If you exceed it, you lose the excess. Write clearly, write precisely, and get your complaint into that space.
The process has three steps: informal resolution with a Problem-Solving Staff member, a formal grievance at the unit level, and an appeal to the appropriate Chief Deputy, Deputy, or Assistant Director of the Arkansas Division of Correction. When the Director-level appeal is answered, you have exhausted your administrative remedies.
Arkansas's grievance process is governed by an Administrative Directive, not by the handbook itself. The handbook provides a summary. The full Administrative Directive is available to you in the law library at your unit. Read it. The handbook says directly: "The Inmate Grievance Procedure is governed by the appropriate Administrative Directive and NOT this summary." Policies are reviewed annually, so confirm the current Administrative Directive is the version you are working from.
Why the Process Matters: The PLRA
The Prison Litigation Reform Act of 1995, 42 U.S.C. section 1997e(a), requires you to exhaust all available administrative remedies before a federal court will hear a lawsuit about prison conditions. Every step and every deadline in this article exists because a court will check whether you completed the process correctly. The Supreme Court in Woodford v. Ngo (2006) made clear that proper exhaustion means following all procedural rules, not just going through the motions. Miss the informal step, skip the formal step, or fail to appeal within the window, and a court can dismiss your case even if everything you said about what happened to you is true.
This requirement applies to conditions of confinement claims. It does not apply to habeas corpus petitions challenging the fact or length of your sentence.
Overview of Arkansas's Grievance System
Arkansas uses a three-step process, all on the same Unit Level Grievance Form:
Step One: Informal Resolution (designated Problem-Solving Staff)
Step Two: Formal Grievance (unit level)
Step Three: Appeal to the Chief Deputy, Deputy, or Assistant Director (this constitutes full exhaustion)
The process covers complaints about incidents and conditions that personally affect you. The governing Administrative Directive defines what is and is not grievable. Check the current directive in the law library for the complete list of exclusions.
Important restrictions specific to Arkansas:
No additional pages may be attached at any step. The form space is all you have. PREA (sexual abuse) grievances are the exception -- additional sheets for PREA grievances will be maintained with the grievance.
You cannot file a grievance on behalf of another inmate. Arkansas explicitly prohibits one inmate from grieving on behalf of another.
The same physical form (Unit Level Grievance Form, Attachment I) is used for both Step One and Step Two. You complete different sections and add the relevant date and information for each step on the same document.
Step-by-Step: Filing Your Grievance
Step One: Informal Resolution
Get the Unit Level Grievance Form, Attachment I, from designated Problem-Solving Staff or through the process at your facility.
What to write: In the space provided, write a brief, specific statement of your complaint. Include the date, the place, the personnel involved, any witnesses, and how the policy or incident affected you. You have only the provided space. No additional sheets. Be precise and direct.
Deadline to file: The form must be completed and submitted within 15 days of the date of the incident.
Where to submit: Present the completed form directly to the designated Problem-Solving Staff member at your facility.
Problem Solver response time: The Problem Solver has 3 working days to resolve the issue at Step One.
If the Problem Solver resolves your complaint to your satisfaction, the process ends. If the complaint is not resolved, or if the Problem Solver does not respond within 3 working days, you may proceed to Step Two.
Your window to proceed: You must move to Step Two within 3 working days of the unresolved or unanswered Step One.
Keep your form: You will need this same form to complete Step Two. Do not lose it.
Step Two: Formal Grievance
Using the same Unit Level Grievance Form you used for Step One, complete the date beside "Step Two: Formal Grievance" and fill in the section asking why you consider the informal resolution unsuccessful.
Where to submit: Deposit the form into the designated grievance box at your unit, or submit it directly to a staff member if your assignment prevents access to the grievance box.
The unit-level staff will investigate and issue a response. Once you receive the unit-level response, you have the right to appeal if you are not satisfied.
Keep a copy if at all possible: You have no additional pages, but if you can make a copy of the form before depositing it, do so.
Step Three: Appeal to the Director Level
If you are not satisfied with the unit-level response, you may appeal within 5 working days of receiving that response to the appropriate Chief Deputy, Deputy, or Assistant Director.
This is the final step. When the Director-level official responds to your appeal, you have exhausted your administrative remedies under the Arkansas Division of Correction's process.
Deadlines at a Glance
The governing deadlines in working days unless otherwise noted:
Step One filing deadline: within 15 days of the incident (confirm in the Administrative Directive whether this is calendar or working days)
Problem Solver response: within 3 working days of receipt at Step One
Window to proceed to Step Two: within 3 working days of unresolved or unanswered Step One
Step Two formal grievance: filed on the same form after completing Step One
Unit-level response time: per the governing Administrative Directive (check current version in law library)
Step Three appeal deadline: within 5 working days of receiving the unit-level response
Director-level response: per the governing Administrative Directive
Exhaustion: occurs when the Director-level official responds to the Step Three appeal
Missing the 5-working-day window to appeal to the Director level can bar your right to federal court. Count working days from the moment you receive the unit-level response. Working days are Monday through Friday, excluding state holidays.
What to Put in Your Grievance
The space limitation makes this section more critical in Arkansas than in almost any other state. You have the form. Nothing more.
Be specific with what you have: Include the date, the time, the place, the full name or position of any staff member involved, any witnesses, what happened, and what harm it caused you. State exactly what remedy you are requesting. Say it in as few words as possible while still being complete. The complaint must be legible. Use the space as efficiently as you can.
No additional pages. If you try to attach additional sheets, they will not be considered (except for PREA grievances where additional sheets are maintained). Do not attempt to circumvent this by stapling or taping additional paper to the form. Focus on fitting your complaint into the provided space precisely.
Keep copies outside if possible: Ask a family member on the outside to keep copies of each step's form after you submit it. Because no additional pages are permitted and the form is compact, the paper trail in Arkansas is thinner than in other states. Whatever you can preserve from the outside matters.
Families: Families cannot file grievances for you in Arkansas, and you cannot file for another inmate. The grievance must be filed by you, in your own name, about a matter that personally affects you. Your family can help from the outside by keeping any copies you send them, tracking deadlines, and contacting outside organizations once you have exhausted.
When the System Fails
Problem Solver does not respond within 3 working days: Treat the non-response as an unsuccessful resolution. Proceed to Step Two within 3 working days of the date the Problem Solver's response was due. Note the failure to respond at the beginning of your Step Two entry.
No unit-level response after Step Two: Check the governing Administrative Directive for what non-response at Step Two means. In many systems, non-response within the deadline is treated as a denial, entitling you to proceed to the next step. Confirm this in the current directive at the law library.
Retaliation: Prohibited. If you are retaliated against for filing a grievance in good faith, document it immediately. Note the date, who did it, what they did, and the harm. You can grieve the retaliation separately using the same process.
Forms unavailable: If you cannot get a Unit Level Grievance Form, put your request in writing on any available paper, document the date, and record who refused to provide the form. That documentation protects you if the failure to file is later challenged as non-exhaustion.
Returned without action: If your grievance is returned rather than answered, document why it was returned and what the corrective step is. Fix any curable defect immediately and refile within whatever time remains.
Emergency Grievances
If you are alleging sexual assault, sexual misconduct or harassment by staff, or physical abuse, you do not have to complete Step One (informal resolution). Instead, complete a Unit Level Grievance Form (Attachment II) with the date beside "Emergency Grievance" and present it to any staff member -- preferably the designated Problem-Solving Staff. There is no time limit for PREA (sexual abuse) grievances. Additional sheets attached to PREA grievances will be maintained with the grievance, unlike standard grievances.
Federal Prisons in Arkansas
If you are incarcerated at a Bureau of Prisons facility in Arkansas, the ADC process described in this article does not apply to you. Arkansas hosts the FCI Forrest City complex in Forrest City, which includes FCI Forrest City Low and FCI Forrest City Medium. Federal inmates at these facilities use the BOP Administrative Remedy Program, which runs BP-8 through BP-11 under 28 CFR Part 542. Arkansas BOP facilities fall under the South Central Regional Office at 4211 Cedar Springs Road, Suite 300, Dallas, TX 75219.
See the InmateAid federal grievance article for the complete BOP process, all deadlines, and the critical distinction between a rejection and a denial.
After Exhaustion: Where to Go Next
Once the Director-level official has issued a final response to your Step Three appeal, you have exhausted. Federal court is now an option for conditions of confinement claims.
Disability Rights Arkansas (DRA): disabilityrightsark.org. Arkansas's federally mandated Protection and Advocacy organization for people with disabilities, including mental illness. Has federal authority to investigate abuse and neglect and to access ADC facilities. If your complaint involves a disability, mental illness, inadequate mental health care, or disability accommodation failures, DRA can investigate independently.
ACLU of Arkansas: acluark.org. Works on prisoners' rights and systemic conditions in Arkansas. The ACLU of Arkansas has a history of challenging ADC conditions including overcrowding, medical care, and conditions of confinement. Focuses on systemic issues rather than individual representation.
Arkansas Community Correction and legal aid resources: Contact the ADC law library staff about legal aid organizations available in Arkansas for incarcerated people, as the landscape of available organizations changes.
Be honest about capacity: These organizations are small and cannot take every individual case. Have a complete grievance record organized before you contact them.
Jails vs. Prisons: Key Differences in Arkansas
Arkansas county jails are operated by county sheriffs and are completely separate from the ADC. The ADC grievance process does not apply to county jails. Each county jail in Arkansas operates under policies set by its sheriff, and the forms, deadlines, and appeal levels vary by county.
If you are in a county jail in Arkansas, ask for the jail's grievance policy in writing. Confirm the form to use, the deadline to file, the number of steps, and the deadline for a response at each step. If the jail has no written grievance policy, submit a written complaint anyway, document your attempt, and keep that documentation. The PLRA exhaustion requirement applies to pretrial detainees in county jails just as it applies to sentenced prisoners. You must exhaust whatever process exists at that jail before filing in federal court.
Special Circumstances
PREA and sexual abuse: No time limit for PREA grievances. No requirement to complete Step One for sexual assault, sexual misconduct or harassment by staff, or physical abuse. File on the Emergency Grievance form (Attachment II) and present it to any staff. Additional sheets attached to PREA grievances will be maintained. The PREA report line is available from any inmate telephone: *0870267. You can also contact the toll-free Arkansas State Police PREA Report Line. Filing a PREA report does not substitute for the grievance process if you want to preserve your right to sue.
ADA and disability accommodations: If your complaint involves a disability accommodation, contact the facility ADA Coordinator and file a grievance. The Disability Rights Arkansas organization can also investigate disability complaints at ADC facilities independently.
Disciplinary appeals: The disciplinary process and appeals under ADC policy are completely separate from the grievance process. A grievance does not substitute for a disciplinary appeal. If you received a disciplinary report, use the disciplinary appeal process described in the Inmate Handbook and the relevant Administrative Directive. You may need to pursue both.
Frequently asked questions
What form do I use for Arkansas's grievance process?
One form: the Unit Level Grievance Form (Attachment I) is used for both Step One (informal resolution) and Step Two (formal grievance). You complete different sections and add the relevant dates and information as you move through the steps on the same document. For emergency grievances (PREA, sexual abuse, physical abuse by staff), use Attachment II.
Can I attach additional pages to explain my complaint?
No. Additional sheets cannot be attached at any level of the standard grievance process. The space on the form is all you have. Write your complaint clearly and specifically within the provided space. The only exception is PREA grievances, where additional sheets will be maintained with the form.
How long do I have to file the initial informal grievance?
The initial Step One complaint must be filed within 15 days of the incident. Verify with the current governing Administrative Directive in the law library whether this is 15 calendar days or 15 working days. File as early as possible rather than waiting for the deadline.
What happens if the Problem Solver does not respond within 3 working days?
If you receive no response within 3 working days, you may treat that as an unresolved complaint and proceed to Step Two. You must file Step Two within 3 working days of the date the Problem Solver's response was due.
How long do I have to appeal to the Director level?
Once you receive the unit-level response at Step Two, you have 5 working days to file your Step Three appeal to the appropriate Chief Deputy, Deputy, or Assistant Director. Working days are Monday through Friday, excluding state holidays. File immediately upon receiving the Step Two response.
Can a family member file a grievance for me?
No. You must file the grievance yourself. Arkansas explicitly prohibits an inmate from grieving on behalf of another inmate, and the same principle applies to family members filing on your behalf. Your family can help from the outside by keeping copies, tracking deadlines, and contacting outside organizations like Disability Rights Arkansas and the ACLU of Arkansas after you have exhausted.
When have I fully exhausted my remedies in Arkansas?
You have exhausted when the Chief Deputy, Deputy, or Assistant Director has responded to your Step Three appeal. That Director-level response is the final step in the ADC internal process. Once you receive it, or once the applicable response deadline passes without a response, you may proceed to file in federal court. --- INTERNAL LINKS TO PLACE: 1. Arkansas inmate search (InmateAid Arkansas page) 2. Family rights and advocacy in Arkansas (FRA series Arkansas article) 3. How the Arkansas prison disciplinary process works (if spoke exists) 4. How Prison Works hub 5. Staying Connected hub --- SPEC NOTE / SOURCING (strip before publish): - Voice: formerly incarcerated narrator written TO the incarcerated person; family guidance woven in. No em dashes. No smart quotes. No double hyphens. Plain text. - Meta title char count: 50 (under 60). Meta description char count: 155 (in 150-160 range). All 7 FAQ headings under 60 chars, verified. - Defining hooks for Arkansas: (1) one form (Unit Level Grievance Form Attachment I) used for BOTH Step One informal and Step Two formal -- same document, different sections; (2) NO additional pages at any step (PREA excepted) -- the form space is all you have; (3) three-step process (informal/unit formal/Director-level appeal = exhaustion); (4) fast Step One window (3 working days to respond; 3 working days for inmate to proceed if unresolved); (5) 5-working-day Director-level appeal window; (6) cannot grieve on behalf of another inmate; (7) the governing document is an Administrative Directive, NOT the handbook summary -- important distinction for Poorwa and for the article's framing; (8) FCI Forrest City complex (Low + Medium) as the BOP presence. - SOURCES: Arkansas Division of Correction Inmate Handbook, November 2022 (Dexter Payne, Director), fetched from doc.arkansas.gov: Inmate Grievance Procedure section (pp. 15-16 of handbook): "this is just a summary of the Inmate Grievance Procedure. The Inmate Grievance Procedure is governed by the appropriate Administrative Directive and NOT this summary. All inmates will be provided access to the appropriate Administrative Directive"; Step One: Attachment I (Unit Level Grievance Form); within 15 days of incident; brief specific statement with date/place/personnel/witnesses/effect; present to designated Problem Solver; Problem Solver has 3 working days to resolve; if unresolved or no response, proceed to Step Two within 3 working days; cannot grieve on behalf of another inmate; no additional sheets except for PREA grievances; Step Two: same Attachment I; complete date beside "Step Two: Formal Grievance" and resubmission section; deposit into grievance box or to staff member; Step Three: if not satisfied with unit-level response, appeal within 5 working days to appropriate Chief Deputy/Deputy/Assistant Director; at that point inmate has exhausted administrative remedies; Emergency Grievance: Attachment II for sexual assault/misconduct/harassment by staff/physical abuse; no time limit for PREA grievances; additional sheets maintained for PREA; PREA report line *0870267 from any inmate telephone; doc.arkansas.gov inmate information (no paper money orders after May 31 2025); BOP bop.gov/locations (FCI Forrest City Low + FCI Forrest City Medium in Forrest City AR); South Central Regional Office 4211 Cedar Springs Road Suite 300 Dallas TX 75219 (from prior BOP research); disabilityrightsark.org (Disability Rights Arkansas = P&A for Arkansas); acluark.org (ACLU of Arkansas); Woodford v. Ngo 548 U.S. 81 (2006); Ross v. Blake 578 U.S. 632 (2016). - VERIFY FLAGS for Poorwa: (1) CRITICAL: The handbook says the process is "governed by the appropriate Administrative Directive and NOT this summary." The current governing Administrative Directive must be identified and the full deadlines confirmed. Specifically verify: (a) whether the 15-day Step One deadline is calendar days or working days -- the handbook says "15 days" without qualification, which in the context of other deadlines being "3 working days" and "5 working days" may mean calendar days for this initial filing; I left it as "15 days" and flagged it in the article and deadlines section; (b) the unit-level response deadline at Step Two -- not specified in the handbook excerpt I captured; (c) the Director-level response deadline at Step Three -- not specified in the handbook excerpt; (d) whether there are any other exclusions or special categories in the full Administrative Directive not captured in the handbook summary. (2) Confirm Unit Level Grievance Form Attachment I and Attachment II (Emergency Grievance) are current form designations. (3) Confirm the three-step structure (informal/unit formal/Director appeal = exhaustion) is accurate in the current Administrative Directive -- the handbook says "At that point, the inmate has exhausted his/her administrative [remedies]" after the Director-level appeal. (4) Confirm BOP facilities: FCI Forrest City Low + FCI Forrest City Medium in Forrest City AR current per bop.gov/locations. (5) Confirm South Central Regional Office Dallas TX 75219 covers Arkansas. (6) Confirm Disability Rights Arkansas disabilityrightsark.org + ACLU of Arkansas acluark.org current. (7) The "no additional pages" rule is sourced from the handbook (p.15: "Additional sheets cannot be attached at any level of the process"). VERIFY this is still in force in the current Administrative Directive -- it is such a significant and unusual restriction that it should be re-confirmed. (8) Confirm county jails are sheriff-operated without statewide standardized grievance process. (9) The Problem Solver 3-working-day response and 3-working-day proceed-to-Step-Two window are sourced from the handbook. VERIFY in current Administrative Directive. (10) PREA no-time-limit and no-Step-One-required exemptions confirmed from handbook. No crisis-line specifics (the PREA hotline *0870267 is a facility reporting line, not a mental health/crisis line -- included appropriately in the PREA section only).