NCJ Number
57087
Journal
Law and Psychology Review Volume: 3 Dated: (FALL 1977) Pages: 15-23
Date Published
1977
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE RESTORATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS TO PRISONERS IS DISCUSSED, AND THE USE OF PRISONS TO PROVIDE OFFENDERS WITH EXPERIENCE IN THE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CITIZENSHIP IS SUGGESTED.
Abstract
INTERVENTION BY THE FEDERAL COURTS IN CORRECTIONAL AFFAIRS HAS CHANGED THE DUTIES OF PRISON WARDENS AND THEIR STAFF, WHO MUST RECONSTRUCT THE CUSTODIAL SITUATION TO ASSURE THAT INMATES CAN ENJOY RIGHTS HELD BY ORDINARY CITIZENS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY. ALTHOUGH INMATES ARE CITIZENS GOVERNED WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT, THEY ARE GAINING ACCESS TO RELIEF FROM ACTS OF AUTHORITY THAT INFRINGE ON THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. MOST INMATES HAVE NEVER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN TO BE GOOD CITIZENS. THEY HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED CITIZENSHIP AND ITS RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. THE PROBLEM OF CRIME CAN BE VIEWED AS A FAILURE OF CITIZENSHIP, AND THE PRISON AS A TOOL FOR SOCIALIZING CRIMINALS INTO CITIZENS. PRISONS SHOULD BE REGARDED AS PLACES OF RESTRAINT IN WHICH INMATES WHO FUNCTION AS CITIZENS DISCOVER THE ADVANTAGES OF DOING SO AND INMATES WHO DO NOT SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES. THE RIGHTS THAT PRISONERS MAY ENJOY, ALONG WITH THEIR ATTENDANT RESPONSIBILITIES, SHOULD BE DEFINED. THESE RIGHTS SHOULD INCLUDE THE RIGHT TO A FUTURE (INCLUDING CONTACT WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD), TO PERSONAL SAFETY, TO CARE (DECENT HOUSING, DIET, CLOTHING, MEDICAL CARE), TO PERSONAL DIGNITY, TO WORK, TO VOLUNTARY SELF-IMPROVEMENT, AND TO VOTE. IF THERE MUST BE PRISONS, THEN PRISONS SHOULD AT LEAST BE PLACES WHERE OFFENDERS HAVE A CHANCE TO CHOOSE, ACT, AND SEE THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACTIONS. (LKM)