NCJ Number
31472
Journal
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CRIMINOLOGY AND CORRECTIONS Volume: 18 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1976) Pages: 26-41
Date Published
1976
Length
16 pages
Annotation
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND REHABILITATIVE CONSIDERATIONS OF MAINTAINING THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF PERSONAL, MEDICAL, AND PSYCHIATRIC INFORMATION ON INMATES ARE DEBATED, AND GENERAL SAFEGUARDS FOR INFORMATION CONTROL ARE SUGGESTED.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR NOTES THAT A BASIC CONFLICT EXISTS BETWEEN THE CONTROLLING ASPECT OF IMPRISONMENT, REPRESENTED BY THE CUSTODIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF, AND THE REHABILITATIVE ASPECT, REPRESENTED BY PROFESSIONAL TREATMENT PERSONNEL. THIS CONFLICT IS ALSO REFLECTED IN THE HANDLING OF INMATE INFORMATION, SINCE CONFIDENTIALITY MAY BE VITAL TO REHABILITATION, BUT DETRIMENTAL TO ADMINISTRATION. THE DIFFERENT APPROACHES TAKEN WITH RESPECT TO CONFIDENTIALITY IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS ARE OUTLINED; THESE RANGE FROM ABOLUTE CONFIDENTIALITY TO COMPLETE DISCLOSURE OF ALL INFORMATION. PRACTICAL REASONS FOR PROVIDING CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION ARE REVIEWED. SUCH SPECIAL PROBLEMS OF CONFIDENTIALITY AS RELEASE OF INFORMATION TO RESEARCHERS, JUVENILE RECORDS, PROTECTION OF JUVENILES FROM PUBLICITY, KEEPING CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION FROM THE JUVENILE'S PARENTS, AND CONFIDENTIALITY OF GROUP THERAPY SESSIONS ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. IN GENERAL, THE AUTHOR RECOMMENDS THAT INFORMATION EXCHANGE ONLY OCCUR ON A HORIZONTAL LEVEL, BETWEEN PROFESSIONALS WHO HAVE A LEGITIMATE NEED FOR THE INFORMATION. GUIDELINES ON THE PHYSICAL SECURITY OF SUCH RECORDS AND ON A GENERAL INFORMATION POLICY FOR CORRECTIONS ARE OFFERED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)