CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION IN THE CLIMATE OF CHANGE

• NCJ Number: 45342
• Author(s): H G MOELLER
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 29 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PRESENTED AT THE 45TH INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR COURSE ON INCREASE OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS, FEBRUARY 10-MARCH 28, 1977 - LECTURE 1

Annotation

ISSUES BEING DEBATED BY CORRECTIONAL POLICYMAKERS IN THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES ARE DISCUSSED, AND ELEMENTS OF CHANGE INFLUENCING THE ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF PRISONS ARE CONSIDERED.

Abstract

THE GROWING TREND IN MANY COUNTRIES TOWARD REDUCING THE USE OF INSTITUTIONS AS THE PRINCIPLE MEANS OF DEALING WITH CONVICTED OFFENDERS IS POINTED OUT. CONFLICTING EXPECTATIONS FOR PRISONS AND OTHER CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS ARE SAID TO HAVE SPAWNED EFFORTS TO DEVELOP ALTERNATIVE INSTITUTIONAL MODELS. THE LACK OF EVIDENCE REGARDING ANY SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION BY ANY OF THE INSTITUTIONAL ALTERNATIVES TO A REDUCTION IN CRIME OR RECIDIVISM IS NOTED. DEVELOPMENTS SAID TO BE LIKELY TO INFLUENCE THE ROLE AND FUNCTION OF PRISONS IN THE FUTURE INCLUDE DECRIMINALIZATION, RISING LEVELS OF PERSONAL EXPECTATIONS, PRISONERS' RIGHTS, COORDINATION BETWEEN CORRECTIONS AND OTHER HUMAN RESOURCE AGENCIES, NEW VIEWS REGARDING THE COMMUNITY'S RESPONSIBILITY IN THE TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS, THE SEARCH FOR ALTERNATIVES TO IMPRISONMENT, AND THE INTEGRATION OF SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEMS. IT IS PREDICTED THAT THE DEBATE OVER THE SOCIAL UTILITY OF INSTITUTIONS WILL BECOME MORE INTENSE IN THE COMING YEARS. CHANGES IN PENAL PHILOSOPHY MAY ALSO RESULT IN A REORIENTATION OF THE FUNCTIONS SERVED BY JAILS. BASIC ISSUES IN INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT THAT WILL CONTINUE REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME OF THE DEBATE CONCERNING PRISONS ARE NOTED. FOR LECTURE 2, SEE NCJ-45347. (LKM)