CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM IN ENGLAND AND WALES (FROM INTERNATIONAL CORRECTIONS, 1979, BY ROBERT J WICKS AND H H A COOPER - SEE NCJ-61835)

• NCJ Number: 61836
• Author(s): E STOCKDALE
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 16 pages
• Corporate Author: Lexington Books
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

ELEMENTS OF THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM IN ENGLAND AND WALES, INCLUDING PRISON AND PAROLE, ALTERNATIVES TO PRISON, PROBATION SERVICE, AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM IN ENGLAND AND WALES IS COMPLICATED BY THE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN CRIME, PARTICULARLY BY YOUNG OFFENDERS, AND BY THE DECREASE IN FINANCIAL RESOURCES. THE RISE IN THE TOTAL PRISON POPULATION IS CAUSED BY THE INCREASE IN CRIME RATHER THAN IN THE RATE OF RESORT TO CUSTODIAL SENTENCES. THE ISSUE OF PRISONER RIGHTS IS BECOMING PROMINENT, PARTIALLY IN RESPONSE TO CHANGING SOCIETAL ATTITUDES AND PARTIALLY DUE TO PRISON-RELATED PROBLEMS AND EFFORTS OF EX-PRISONERS. THE HOWARD LEAGUE FOR PENAL REFORM IS INFLUENTIAL IN TERMS OF OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT MEASURES TO REFORM THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM, AND A NOTABLE SUGGESTION OF THE LEAGUE WAS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SCHEME FOR THE COMPENSATION OF VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIMES. PAROLE HAS A THREE-TIER DECISIONMAKING STRUCTURE. THIS STRUCTURE INVOLVES A LOCAL REVIEW COMMITTEE THAT DEALS WITH ALL PAROLE APPLICATIONS FROM ELIGIBLE PRISONERS, THE PAROLE BOARD ITSELF (COMPRISED OF JUDGES, PSYCHIATRISTS, CHIEF PROBATION OFFICERS, CRIMINOLOGISTS, AND OTHERS), AND THE HOME SECRETARY WITH POWER TO GRANT PAROLE. FINES, PROBATION ORDERS, AND CONDITIONAL DISCHARGES HAVE BEEN PRINCIPAL ALTERNATIVES TO IMPRISONMENT FOR MANY YEARS. AS A RESULT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE LEGISLATION IN 1967 AND 1972, OTHER ALTERNATIVES HAVE EMERGED SUCH AS SUSPENDED SENTENCES, GRANTING OF BAIL BY MAGISTRATE COURTS, VICTIM COMPENSATION BY OFFENDERS, COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS, SENTENCE DEFERRAL, AND SHELTERED WORKSHOPS. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING ALTERNATIVES TO IMPRISONMENT, PARLIAMENT EMPHASIZES THAT PRISON SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR ANY PERSONS UNDER 21 YEARS OF AGE OR FOR FIRST OFFENDERS UNLESS APPROPRIATE ALTERNATIVES HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED. THE PROBATION SERVICE HAS BEEN CHANGED TO THE PROBATION AND AFTER-CARE SERVICE AND WORKS IN CONJUCTION WITH THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE CARE AND RESETTLEMENT OF OFFENDERS. NO RADICAL CHANGE IN THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM OF ENGLAND AND WALES IS ENVISIONED FOR THE NEAR FUTURE. NOTES ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)