NCJ Number
46582
Date Published
1975
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE WARDEN OF THE FEDERAL REFORMATORY FOR WOMEN AT ALDERSON, W. VA., DESCRIBES HER APPROACH TO DEALING WITH INMATES AND OFFERS HER VIEWS ON CORRECTIONS.
Abstract
IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE TIME HAS COME FOR CORRECTIONS TO STOP TALKING ABOUT REHABILITATING AND CORRECTING AND TO BEGIN BEING HONEST WITH ITSELF, WITH CLIENTS, AND WITH THE COMMUNITY. AT ALDERSON, THE EMPHASIS IS ON EACH INMATE'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR HERSELF. INMATES ARE NOT MADE TO PARTICIPATE WHEN THEY DO NOT WANT TO. THE WARDEN TELLS EACH INCOMING PRISONER THAT NO INSTITUTION IS GOOD, THAT CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION ARE A FARCE, THAT MOST -- BUT NOT ALL -- STAFF MEMBERS CARE ABOUT THE INMATES, AND THAT THE OPPORTUNITY TO 'GET THINGS TOGETHER' IS AVAILABLE AT ALDERSON FOR INMATES WHO WISH TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT. THE WARDEN ALSO POINTS OUT THAT INMATES' SEXUAL ADAPTATION IS THEIR OWN BUSINESS AS LONG AS THEY DON'T IMPOSE THEIR NEEDS ON OTHER PEOPLE. TWO POINTS ARE EMPHASIZED: (1) PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE NO BUSINESS WORKING IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM; AND (2) INMATES WHO DO NOT WANT TO TAKE PART IN PROGRAMS CANNOT BENEFIT FROM THE PROGRAMS. (LKM)