NCJ Number
66996
Date Published
1979
Length
33 pages
Annotation
ATTENTION IN THIS TEXTBOOK CHAPTER IS DIRECTED TO THE CURRENT CHANGES IN THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM, BOTH WITHIN MAJOR INSTITUTIONS AND JAILS AND WITHIN ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS.
Abstract
THE CHAPTER DOCUMENTS THE MOVEMENT TOWARD GREATER RELIANCE UPON COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS, ALONG WITH INSTITUTIONAL UTILIZATION OF PAROLE, WORK RELEASE, AND FURLOUGH PROGRAMS. THE PURPOSE OF CORRECTIONS IS ANALYZED, WITH EMPHASIS ON CRIME CAUSES AND THE FAILURE OF CURRENT CORRECTIONAL APPROACHES TO REHABILITATE OFFENDERS. THE CHAPTER ALSO EXAMINES THE RELATIONSHIP OF CORRECTIONS TO THE POLICE AND TO THE COURTS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THEIR LACK OF COMMUNICATION REGARDING UNDERSTANDING OF CORRECTIONAL PROBLEMS. THE GROWING AWARENESS OF THE RIGHTS OF THE CONFINED IS ALSO ADDRESSED. STATE AGENCIES' SCRUTINY OF THE NATION'S JAILS IS DISCUSSED, WITH CONSIDERATION OF THE INMATE POPULATION, JAIL DISTRIBUTION AND POPULATION, THE PROBLEM OF LOCAL CONTROL, STAFF PERSONNEL, ADMINISTRATION, PRISONER RIGHTS AND THE PROVISION OF SERVICES, BAIL STATUS, AND PRETRIAL DELAY. THE CHAPTER MENTIONS THE PUBLIC APATHY THAT HAS LED TO CONFUSION OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR JAIL IMPROVEMENTS AND EXPLORES CHANGE OCCURRING IN THE JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM INCLUDING HALFWAY HOUSES, GROUP HOMES, AND OTHER NONINSTITUTIONAL DISPOSITIONS. THE FAILURE OF JUVENILE INSTITUTIONS AND TRAINING SCHOOLS IS BROUGHT OUT, ALONG WITH THE RIGHTS OF JUVENILES AND THE FUNCTION OF PARENS PATRIA. PRISON CONDITIONS ARE CONSIDERED WITH RESPECT TO DISPROPORTIONATE PRISON POPULATIONS, THE REPRESSIVE PRISON ENVIRONMENT AND ITS EFFECTS, THE QUESTIONABLE PROTECTION IMPRISONMENT OFFERS SOCIETY, AND THE IRRATIONALITY AND ABSURDITY OF WOMEN'S PRISONS. FINALLY, WAYS IN WHICH INSTITUTIONS ARE TRANSFORMING AND COULD BE TRANSFORMED ARE LISTED. A SUMMARY OF THE CHAPTER, EXTENSIVE NOTES, A BIBLIOGRAPHY, AND TEST QUESTIONS ARE OFFERED. (MHP)