NCJ Number
88023
Date Published
1981
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Since the 1968 revolution, Iraq has been planning and working for the revolutionary transformation of the correctional system, as well as all the other basic institutions of the Nation.
Abstract
In the General Office for Adult Correction, an expert committee consisting of specialists in psychology and sociology, psychiatrists, specialists in vocational training, and social researchers plans and oversees correctional procedures. The General Office for Adult Correction supervises four prisons, two of which have advanced and modern buildings. Prisoners receive adequate services, including hairdressing salons and self-service laundries. Disciplinary measures include deprivation of visits or recreational activities and solitary detention for periods of up to 3 months. The law prohibits the use of compulsion and such punishments as iron fetters and beating. About 3,500 to 4,000 offenders are currently incarcerated. Classification occurs according to nationality, the potential for committing crimes, health conditions, sentence, and age. Prisons have primary, intermediate, and secondary schools, but education is not compulsory except for illiterate persons. A total of 40 percent of prisoners are employed in various production and manual work. They work for 6 hours per day and receive a small wage. Vocational training programs operate at two of the prisons. One experiment with work release has proved successful. Nearly all the prisoners can take home leave. Prisoners are eligible for parole after serving 75 percent of their terms. The prisoners use traditional security measures. Prisoners have the rights to visits, correspondence, access to radios and newspapers, movement within specific areas, adequate fresh foods, and procedures for redress of grievances. Inservice training courses for correctional staff are being organized.