NCJ Number
163986
Journal
Corrections Compendium Volume: 21 Issue: 8 Dated: (August 1996) Pages: 1-4
Date Published
1996
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article identifies current trends in corrections, particularly as they impact corrections institutions, that are likely to continue into the 21st century.
Abstract
Most corrections professionals are predicting a significant increase in the use of corporate America in prison operations. Faced with overcrowded and old facilities, strained budgets, and new conservative sentencing laws, government authorities are ready to consider various options to relieve the stress. An easy solution seems to be contracting with the for-profit sector of private business. Proprietary institutions are becoming more popular, and the administration of prison facilities by private vendors is a major trend that will probably increase in the next 10 years. The 21st century will see more violent, aggressive inmates who are serving longer determinate sentences without parole. In order to cope with this new, more violent, gang- affiliated offender, many States are designing, constructing, and operating administrative maximum prison facilities. This trend will continue as legislative bodies support correctional jurisdictions and crack down on violent inmates. The public holds increasingly conservative attitudes toward offenders, and this has led to a greater involvement of elected officials in prison management. Given the current public desire to eliminate the perceived "luxuries" of prison life, elected officials will increasingly become involved in how correctional monies are spent. The impact on the growth of prison populations due to the harsher laws and increased federalization of criminal sanctions has been dramatic and will continue for the foreseeable future; State prison growth will parallel the Federal boom. The conservative public opinion that has led to expanded prison populations has also demanded reduced government spending and waste. Corrections managers will be expected to do more with less money in the 21st century. A 12-item bibliography