CORRECTIONS GOES PUBLIC (AND PRIVATE) IN CALIFORNIA

• NCJ Number: 145274
• Journal: Federal Probation Volume: 57 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1993) Pages: 3-8
• Author(s): D K Sechrest; D Crim; D Shichor
• Date Published: 1993
• Length: 6 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Two public and one private proprietary community correctional facilities (CCF's) in California were evaluated.

Abstract

To ease the overcrowding in its state prisons, the California legislature passed a bill to create publicly operated proprietary facilities. This came after the California Department of Corrections (CDC) had already begun to fund CCF's whose purpose was to manage parole violators. Opinions of 87 inmates at the three selected facilities were compared. One of the public facilities, which housed only civil narcotic addicts and was referred to as "public civil" was the least crowded, most secure, most ordered, and had the best staff, according to inmates. On amenities, public civil rated highest; the private facility was especially low on toilet and shower operations. Public civil was also highest on quality of recreational, counseling, medical, and educational services. Operating costs were also compared, without any specific conclusion. 3 endnotes, and 15 references