NCJ Number
858
Date Published
1971
Length
44 pages
Annotation
SPECIALIZED UNITS IN PAROLE AND PROBATION, COMMUNITY TREATMENT AND CONTROL PROJECTS, GROUP HOMES AND FOSTER CARE FOR DELINQUENTS, AND COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL CENTERS.
Abstract
A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS IN ALL PARTS OF THE U.S. IS DESCRIBED, AND THEIR EFFECTS ON OFFENDERS ARE ANALYZED. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT 'THE EVIDENCE OBTAINED FROM EXPERIMENTAL WORK IN COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, AND SUPPORTED BY THE RESULTS OF EXPERIENCE WITH PARTIAL IMPRISONMENT AND GRADUATED RELEASE, THE TREATMENT OF MENTAL ILLNESS, AND ALTERNATIVES TO PROCESSING BY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, CLEARLY INDICATES THAT A VAST PROPORTION OF OFFENDERS COULD BE MANAGED IN THE COMMUNITY.' SINCE COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAMS ARE NOT AS EXPENSIVE AS PRISONS AND GENERALLY HAVE LOWER RECIDIVISM RATES THAN INSTITUTIONAL PROGRAMS, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THEY BE IMPLEMENTED ON A LARGE SCALE, THUS RETURNING TO THE COMMUNITY ITS RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEALING WITH BEHAVIOR DEFINED AS ANTISOCIAL OR DEVIANT. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)