NCJ Number
182797
Date Published
1999
Length
399 pages
Annotation
This textbook addresses the most crucial issues and concerns in the field of corrections, while challenging the stereotypes that guide our current correctional policies.
Abstract
A chapter on the goals of correctional policy considers the political context of corrections, modern correctional goals, moral and utilitarian views of the correctional mission, correctional decision making, and contradictions among correctional goals. A chapter on the history of punishment is followed by a chapter on jails. This chapter reviews the characteristics of modern jails and then examines pretrial release from jail, alternatives to jail, the inmate experience, jail suicides, the legal regulation of jails, detention officers, and the cutting of jail costs. Separate chapters address issues in probation, intermediate sanctions, and post-imprisonment community supervision. A chapter on prison populations addresses prison population growth, imbalances in U.S. imprisonment patterns, Federal and State systems, inmate health issues, special-needs offenders, and correctional classification. A chapter on inmate society considers types of prisoners, prison gangs, and special issues in prison life. Remaining chapters address issues pertinent to female offenders, the legal rights of offenders, correctional programs, the management of prisons, the death penalty, and the future of corrections. Chapter summaries, questions for discussion and review, and notes and a subject index