CORRECTIONS ON THE LOCAL LEVEL - A REPORT FROM THREE COMMUNITIES

• NCJ Number: 58183
• Journal: Corrections Magazine Volume: 11 Issue: 6 Dated: (DECEMBER 1976) Pages: 25-31,33
• Author(s): R WILSON
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: Correctional Information Service, Inc
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program Description (Model)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

AS PART OF COVERAGE OF THE CORRECTIONAL ACTIVITIES OF LEAA, THIS ARTICLE REPORTS ON THREE NEW COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS.

Abstract

TWO OF THE PROGRAMS ARE IN NEBRASKA AND ONE IN ST. LOUIS, MO. IN NOVEMBER 1976, DOUGLAS COUNTY, NEB., BROKE GROUND ON A NEW $6.2 MILLION CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IN OMAHA. OF THIS, $5 MILLION CAME FROM LEAA, THE LARGEST AMOUNT OF MONEY EVER MADE AVAILABLE BY THAT AGENCY FOR A SINGLE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT. THE NEW FACILITY WILL BE THE CARE OF A MODEL CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM BEING IMPLEMENTED IN THE COUNTY, WHICH INCLUDES A FULL RANGE OF REHABILITATIVE SERVICES AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND MARKS THE END OF ALMOST A DECADE OF PLANNING AND THE END OF AN ARCHAIC JAIL SYSTEM. THE ARTICLE DESCRIBES THE NEW FACILITY AND ITS COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTION PLAN USES INCARCERATION AS A LAST RESORT. THE PROVIDENCE EDUCATIONAL CENTER IN ST. LOUIS, AN ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL FOR SERIOUS DELINQUENTS REFERRED THROUGH THE COURTS, LOST ITS LEAA FUNDING BECAUSE OF AN ACROSS-THE-BOARD REDUCTION IN THE FUNDING OF MISSOURI PROGRAMS AND BECAUSE LEAA FELT THE COST SHOULD BE ASSUMED BY THE ST LOUIS COMMUNITY. LOCAL EFFORTS FOR FUNDING FAILED AND THE CENTER MADE AN AGREEMENT TO BEGIN TAKING DISRUPTIVE YOUNGSTERS REFERRED BY THE CITY'S SCHOOLS. FUNDS WILL NOT COME FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE. THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN A SUCCESS AND POPULAR AMONG JUDGES AND OTHER COURT OFFICIALS. WHILE MANY SMALL, LOCAL PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE CENTER STRUGGLE TO GET MORE MONEY FROM LEAA, THERE IS A HIGHLY REGARDED PROGRAM IN LINCOLN, NEB., THE VOLUNTEER COUNSELOR PROGRAM, WHICH RELIES ON VOLUNTEERS. IN THE PAST 9 YEARS, 350 LINCOLN CITIZENS HAVE SERVED AS COUNSELORS TO MORE THAN 500 YOUNG MISDEMEANANT OFFENDERS. IN 1974 THE LINCOLN PROGRAM WAS AWARDED 'EXEMPLARY PROJECT' STATUS BY LEAA BECAUSE OF THE METICULOUS PROCESS DEVELOPED FOR CHOOSING OFFENDERS FOR THE PROGRAM AND THE CAREFUL ASSESSMENT AND SCREENING OF VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE MATCHED WITH THEM. THE PROGRAM HANDLES ABOUT 200 OFFENDERS A YEAR AND IS DESCRIBED IN DETAIL. PHOTOGRAPHS ILLUSTRATE THE TEXT. (MJW)