NCJ Number
54781
Date Published
1978
Length
22 pages
Annotation
POLICY STATEMENTS AND RESOLUTIONS OF THE AMERICAN CORRECTIONAL ASSOCIATION ARE PRESENTED. DISCUSSION FOLLOWS EACH STATEMENT OR RESOLUTION.
Abstract
THE AMERICAN CORRECTIONAL ASSOCIATION (ACA) IS INTERESTED IN TAKING STANDS ON SIGNIFICANT ISSUES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE. THIS PUBLICATION PRESENTS 14 POLICY STATEMENTS AND 9 RESOLUTIONS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES ADOPT THE STANDARDS AND MECHANISMS OF ACCREDITATION AS PROMULGATED BY THE ACA AND THE COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION FOR CORRECTIONS. ACA IS IN FAVOR OF INCREASED LEGISLATIVE AND LEGAL SUPPORT TO CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS AFFIRMATIVE ACTION. COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS FACILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED. OTHER POSITIONS SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF MORE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, DECRIMINALIZATION OF PUBLIC INTOXICATION, THE EMPLOYMENT OF EX-OFFENDERS, AND THE ELIMINATION OF INMATES' PARTICIPATION IN EXPERIMENTS. ACA FAVORS REQUIRED WRITTEN GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES FOR CLIENTS OF JUVENILE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES. IT IS FURTHER RECOMMENDED THAT PAROLEES' CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS BE SAFEGUARDED. IN THE FACILITIES THEMSELVES, ACA URGES THE REMOVAL OF POLYURETHANE FOAM MATTRESSES, A PROVEN FIRE HAZARD. PROBATION IS ADVOCATED AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO IMPRISONMENT. GUIDELINES FOR MANDATORY SENTENCING IMPLEMENTATION AND ACADEMIC PROGRAMS ARE ALSO PRESENTED. ACA OPPOSES CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. IN THE AREA OF CORRECTIONAL EMPLOYEES, ACA ADVOCATES A MERIT SYSTEM FOR APPOINTMENTS TO POSITIONS. ACA ALSO SUPPORTS THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION'S EFFORTS AT PROVIDING LEGAL SERVICES AND MATERIALS TO INMATES. OTHER RESOLUTIONS CONCERNING WOMEN, STATUS OFFENDERS, AND RESTORATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS TO EX-OFFENDERS ARE PRESENTED. (MLC)