NCJ Number
174492
Journal
Sheriff Volume: 50 Issue: 2 Dated: March-April 1998 Pages: 8-11
Date Published
1998
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The first article describes an inmate labor and rehabilitation program in Hinds County, MS, and the second comments on the use of community-based electronic monitoring programs and technologies.
Abstract
The Hinds County Penal Farm includes hog farming and raising vegetables to feed inmates. Inmate work crews provide assistance to county and community agencies, performing such tasks as repainting and remodeling classrooms in public schools, washing county vehicles, and razing abandoned buildings. These and other activities save taxpayersþ money, help instill a work ethic in the inmates, and allow them to associate with responsible community citizens. The Farm also sponsors meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, GED classes, and inmate community college attendance. Local ministers hold church services at the Farm and an inmate choir performs throughout the year. The Farm saves public money and helps prepare inmates to return to society with good attitudes and productive lifestyles. Recent media attention to electronic monitoring programs has emphasized the failures, the incidents where participants have committed crimes while supposedly under community-based supervision. However, appropriately-designed and well-implemented electronic monitoring programs can be effective alternatives to incarceration. The concept needs publicity for model policies and procedures and more public education to correct misunderstandings.