ON BEHALF OF A MORATORIUM ON PRISON CONSTRUCTION

• NCJ Number: 42396
• Author(s): W G NAGEL
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 19 pages
• Corporate Author: National Council on Crime and Delinquency
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINTED FROM CRIME AND DELINQUENCY, APRIL, 1977

Annotation

IS THERE A NEED FOR A MORATORIUM ON PRISON CONSTRUCTION? THIS PAMPLHET DISCUSSES THE ANSWER.

Abstract

THIS PAPER PRESENTS A RE-EVALUATION OF THE AUTHOR'S POSITION ON THE ISSUE OF A PRISON CONSTRUCTION MORATORIUM. IT DISCUSSES THE EXPLOSION OF PRISON POPULATIONS IN RECENT YEARS, THE INEVITABLE DETERIORATION OF FACILITIES RESULTING FROM SEVERE OVERCROWDING OF OUTMODED FACILITIES, AND THE EMERGENCE OF A NEW 'HARD LINE' IN CORRECTIONAL PHILOSOPHY ESPOUSED BY MANY WRITERS TODAY. A SYSTEMATIC RE-THINKING OF THE CONSTRUCTION ISSUE INVOLVED THE COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS OF MUCH DATA, ALL OF THE SORT AVAILABLE TO MOST CORRECTIONAL DECISIONMAKING. ANALYSIS OF THE DATA REVEALED A NUMBER OF SURPRISING FACTS CONCERNING THE USE OF INCARCERATION AS A VEHICLE FOR CONTROLLING CRIME. IN LIGHT OF THESE THE AUTHOR BELIEVES A MORATORIUM SHOULD BE DECLARED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)....BDS