NCJ Number
50105
Journal
Wisconsin Sociologist Volume: 11 Issue: 2 & 3 Dated: (SPRING-SUMMER 1974) Pages: 35-39
Date Published
1974
Length
5 pages
Annotation
REFORM OF THE U.S. PRISON SYSTEM IS NEEDED. SHORTER SENTENCES, GREATER USE OF ALTERNATIVES TO IMPRISONMENT, MORE MINORITY STAFF MEMBERS, AND MORE HUMANE TREATMENT OF INMATES ARE RECOMMENDED.
Abstract
CITING THE 60-80 PERCENT RECIDIVISM RATE OF PRISON INMATES AS EVIDENCE THAT THE PRESENT SYSTEM DOES NOT REFORM, THIS PAPER CALLS FOR A MAJOR REVISION OF CURRENT PRISON POLICY. WHITE COLLAR CRIMINALS SHOULD RECEIVE SENTENCES AS SEVERE AS THOSE SERVED BY POOR, MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS WHO COMMIT STREET CRIMES. MAXIMUM SENTENCES OF 3 YEARS SHOULD BE IMPOSED FOR MOST OFFENSES. SINCE IMPRISONMENT ITSELF IS PUNISHMENT, THERE SHOULD NOT BE FURTHER PUNISHMENT IN THE FORM OF CENSORSHIP OF MAIL, LIMITATIONS ON VISITING, OR INTERFERENCE WITH PERSONAL AFFAIRS. INMATES WORKING IN PRISON INDUSTRIES SHOULD BE PAID PREVAILING WAGE RATES WITH THIS MONEY BANKED FOR USE UPON RELEASE. MORE EX-OFFENDERS AND MINORITY PERSONS SHOULD BE ON PRISON STAFFS. GREATER USE OF ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION IS URGED. INCREASED USE OF PROBATION, VICTIM RESTITUTION, AND RESTITUTION THROUGH COMMUNITY SERVICE IS SUGGESTED. IT IS ALSO SUGGESTED THAT A PERSON'S PREVIOUS RECORD BE REMOVED FROM CONSIDERATION BY PRISON AND PAROLE OFFICIALS AS WAS DONE IN THE HIGHFIELDS EXPERIMENT OF THE NEW JERSY CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATION. FINALLY, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT STATES PASS A LAW ENABLING A PERSON WHO HAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED PROBATION, PRISON SENTENCE, OR PAROLE TO HAVE THE CONVICTION RECORD EXPUNGED. PRISON SYSTEMS IN SWEDEN AND THE NETHERLANDS ARE CITED AS MODELS FOR U.S. REFORM. (GLR)