NCJ Number
155275
Date Published
1993
Length
38 pages
Annotation
The 1992-1993 annual report of the Arkansas Department of Corrections (DOC) highlights the DOC's mission and organization and presents a statistical profile of the DOC's operations and inmate population.
Abstract
Goals of the DOC are to protect society by implementing court mandates, provide a safe and humane environment for both correctional staff and inmates, and offer opportunities for inmates to improve mentally and physically. In 1993, the Correctional Resource Commission produced 18 laws to restructure the State's criminal justice system. A new Board of Correction and Community Punishment was created, parole and other early release community service programs were transferred to the Department of Community Punishment, nonviolent offenders were transferred from correctional facilities to Community Punishment Centers, measures were instituted to facilitate offender transfer to community punishment programs, and the Arkansas Sentencing Commission was created to address voluntary sentencing standards. In addition, several early release programs were eliminated, including Conditional Jail Transfers, the Work/Study Program, and the Alternative Community Service Program. The inmate population under the DOC increased by 6.5 percent in 1993, while county jail backup and county jail contract assignments increased by 45 percent. Female inmates challenged the use of male correctional officers watching while they dressed, the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that State prison inmates may review their personal files if they follow Freedom of Information Act procedures, and furloughs for DOC inmates were reinstated. Further, the Reduction of Sexual Victimization Program continued in its second year of operation, and efforts were made to improve inmate grievance procedures and prison industry activities. A statistical profile of the DOC's inmate population is provided, along with financial data on DOC operations and a directory of correctional facilities. Tables and figures