NCJ Number
85599
Journal
Library Trends Volume: 26 Issue: 1 Dated: (Summer 1977) Pages: 7-26
Date Published
1977
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This essay notes the inadequacies of current correctional facility environments and projects the characteristics of correctional facility environments for the future.
Abstract
Imprisonment has been consistently effective in punishing and isolating offenders, but it has failed as an instrument of rehabilitation and reform. Still, prisons will continue to exist in American society for a long time to come, in spite of efforts to abolish them, because correctional institutions serve functions not presently filled by any other social institution: the sequestration and incapacitation of offenders dangerous to others. Future prisons will be so designed as to facilitate the humane treatment of offenders and the reintegration of inmates into society upon release. The prisons of the future will be located in the cities and communities from which most of the inmates come. New institutions will be relatively small, housing fewer than 150 residents. Architecturally, facilities will establish interior security perimeters with administrative and program support elements located outside to give the appearance of a less fortified institution. Residential groupings of 10-14 residents will provide more normative environments and facilitate differential programming. Staff will be in close proximity to residents to promote maximum staff-resident interaction. Programmatically, the new institution will provide individualized services which will emphasize the development of positive social orientation, work skills, and behavioral patterns conducive to community reintegration. All program participation by inmates will be voluntary and involve inmate participation in the individualization of programs. Some examples of prisons that mark the trend toward the future are provided. Twenty-four references are listed.