NCJ Number
62025
Journal
TEXAS JOURNAL OF CORRECTIONS Volume: 5 Issue: 4, Dated: (JULY/AUGUST 1979) Pages: 12-15
Date Published
1979
Length
4 pages
Annotation
SEVERAL OPINIONS OF A COURT OF COMMON PLEAS JUDGE OF PHILADELPHIA ARE PRESENTED REGARDING CORRECTIONS INCLUDING REJECTION OF THE MEDICAL MODEL OF REHABILITATION AND THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN SUPPORT.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR ADVOCATES REJECTION OF THE CONCEPT THAT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM CAN MAGICALLY REFORM OFFENDERS THROUGH ITS BRIEF CONTACT WITH THEM. THE INEFFECTIVE CONCEPT OF REHABILITATION, DERIVED FROM THE MEDICAL MODEL, SHOULD BE REPLACED BY THE EDUCATIONAL MODEL. OFFENDERS RESIST THE JUDGMENT THAT THEY ARE SICK AND MUST BE 'CURED.' IN CONTRAST, THE EDUCATIONAL MODEL IS FAR LESS THREATENING TO THE INDIVIDUAL AND HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED SUCCESSFULLY WITH DRUG ADDICTS, ALCOHOLICS, AND MENTAL PATIENTS. OTHER DISTORTIONS AND PERCEPTIONS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM PERSIST. FOR EXAMPLE, JUDGES, LAWYERS, AND PROSECUTORS TEND TO PLACE A PREMIUM ON CRIME IN TERMS OF THE VICTIM'S STATUS. IF THE VICTIM OF A RAPE IS A WHITE, MIDDLE CLASS WOMAN, THERE TENDS TO BE MORE IMPORTANCE ATTACHED TO THAT CASE THAN IF THE VICTIM IS AN ADOLESCENT, SPANISH-SPEAKING GIRL WHOM POLICE CANNOT INTERVIEW WELL. JUDGES FREQUENTLY GIVE LESSER SENTENCES TO OFFENDERS WHOSE VICTIMS CANNOT ADEQUATELY ARTICULATE THE CRIME. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE DEHUMANIZING FACTORS BE REMOVED FROM THE SYSTEM. PROBATION AND CORRECTION OFFICERS MUST CARE ABOUT THEIR CLIENTS AND HELP ESTABLISH A HUMAN NETWORK CONSISTING OF COMMUNITY, EMPLOYMENT, RELIGIOUS, AND THERAPEUTIC HELP AS DICTATED BY THE CLIENT'S SPECIAL NEEDS. SIMILARLY, DEHUMANIZING FACTORS WITHIN THE COURTROOM SHOULD BE REMOVED. RAISED BENCHES CONNOTE SUPREME AUTHORITY, WHEREAS JUDGES HAVE LIMITED POWERS UNDER THE CONSTANTLY CHANGING LAW. DIRECTING THE OFFENDER TOWARD CONSTRUCTIVE USE OF HIS ENERGIES IN THE COMMUNITY SETTING IS THE GOAL TO BE STRESSED. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE INCLUDED IN THE ARTICLE. (LWM)