NCJ Number
68210
Date Published
1976
Length
8 pages
Annotation
WIDE-RANGING PROPOSALS FOR PROGRESSIVE REFORMS OF THE PANAMANIAN CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM AND CRIMINAL CODES, TO REFLECT THE NEW PROGRESSIVE AND TREATMENT-ORIENTED PENAL PHILOSOPHIES, ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE FIRST NATIONAL CRIMINOLOGY SEMINAR HELD IN PANAMA IN 1975 A LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REFORMS OF THE CRIMINAL CODES AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, ESPECIALLY THE CORRECTIONS SEGMENT, WAS SUBMITTED TO THE PARTICIPANTS TO THE SEMINAR. THE REFORM RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDED THE COMPILATION OF NEW CRIMINAL CODES IN WHICH PENALTIES FOR ALL CRIMINALIZED ACTS WOULD BE SCIENTIFICALLY AND SYSTEMATICALLY SET FORTH, TOGETHER WITH THE CORRECTIONAL INSTRUMENTS DESIGNATED FOR THEIR IMPLEMENTATION. THE PENALTIES SHOULD, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, CONSIST OF ALTERNATIVES TO INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF OFFENDERS (E.G., WORK RELEASE, WEEKEND SENTENCES, SUPERVISED LIBERTY). AN AUTONOMOUS AND INDEPENDENT CORRECTIONAL DEPARTMENT, WITH A BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO INCLUDE AN ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE OF PRISON INMATES AND A SYSTEM OF INSPECTION AND CONTROL SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED. THE LATTER WOULD ENSURE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PENOLOGICAL GOAL OF SOCIAL REINTEGRATION OF INMATES, WITHOUT DETRIMENT TO THE BASIC SECURITY AND SOCIAL DEFENSE PURPOSES OF THE PANAMANIAN CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM PRESCRIBED BY LAW. ANOTHER RECOMMENDATION CONCERNS THE CLOSING OF THE INFAMOUS PENAL COLONY ON THE ISLAND OF COIBA, TO BE REPLACED BY A MODERN CORRECTIONAL FACILITY NEAR THE PANAMANIAN CAPITAL, AN OPEN PRISON (OR MINIMUM SECURITY CORRECTIONS), WHERE DANGEROUS OFFENDERS WOULD ALSO BE PLACED IN A SEPARATE SECTION FOR INDETERMINATE PERIODS (OR SENTENCES). INTIMATE VISITS WITH SPOUSES WOULD BE PERMITTED. RELEASED EX-OFFENDERS WOULD BE ASSISTED WITH FINANCIAL AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES. THE PAPER ENDS WITH A CALL FOR REFORM OF THE ENTIRE PANAMANIAN SYSTEM OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE DELIVERY. --IN SPANISH.