NCJ Number
18341
Date Published
1974
Length
110 pages
Annotation
REPORT OF A CALIFORNIA CORRECTIONS TASK FORCE WHICH STUDIED CURRENT TRENDS IN PRISON VIOLENCE, INVESTIGATED ITS CAUSES, AND RECOMMENDED WAYS OF REDUCING THE LEVEL OF VIOLENCE.
Abstract
THE INCREASES IN PRISON VIOLENCE NOTED DURING THE EARLY 1970'S PROMPTED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THIS TASK FORCE. THE TASK FORCE REVIEWED THE LITERATURE ON VIOLENCE AND SOUGHT THE OPINIONS OF PRISONERS, PAROLEES, PARAPROFESSIONAL CORRECTIONAL WORKERS, LEADERS OF PAROLEE COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE GROUPS, PSYCHIATRISTS, SOCIOLOGISTS, PRISON EMPLOYEES, AND ADMINISTRATORS. TRENDS IN PRISON VIOLENCE IN CALIFORNIA ARE REVIEWED. A SUMMARY OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IS PRESENTED. UNDER THE GENERAL AREAS OF IMPROVING THE INSTITUTION ENVIRONMENT, SAFETY, AND SECURITY, SEVERAL SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE. THESE SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS COVER SUCH AREAS AS CONTROL OF DESTRUCTIVE INMATES, PERSONNEL TRAINING, INMATE-STAFF RELATIONS STATISTICS ON PRISON VIOLENCE, COMPENSATION OF INMATES WORKING IN PRISON INDUSTRIES, IMPROVING PRISON FACILITIES, AND INCREASING INMATE SELFDETERMINATION. AMONG THE APPENDED MATERIALS ARE A REPORT ON CRIME AND VIOLENCE IN THE STREETS AND IN THE PRISONS, STATISTICS ON PRISON VIOLENCE, AN EXAMINATION OF VIOLENT PRISON INCIDENTS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE BOARD OF CORRECTIONS.