NCJ Number
75672
Journal
California Youth Authority Quarterly Volume: 33 Issue: 4 Dated: (Winter 1980) Pages: 9-17
Date Published
1980
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article, from an address presented by a circuit judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals, reviews major issues facing the correctional field and offers suggestions as to how the field can compete successfully for public funds and support.
Abstract
Corrections is the least powerful branch of the law enforcement triumvirate, which includes the police, the courts, and corrections. The inevitable result of the apathy toward corrections of ordinary citizens and their elected leaders is that corrections drops to last position on the budget priority list. This situation is surprising since the role of corrections affects the most fundamental relationships between men and women and between human beings and the State. The goals of corrections may be found in analysis of the word's definition. Corrections means to make free from error, to set right, to remedy or counteract, to punish or rebuke so as to improve, and to adjust. Most Americans do not think about how important a well-run correctional system is to their national and international survival. Perhaps this is because the problems of corrections have become too large, pervasive, and interwoven with the rest of the problems of Government. In addition, much media coverage projects a picture of hopelessness and bureaucratic confusion that is not likely to enlist citizens' cooperation or support for new initiatives. Problems with corrections are intensified by public policies and prosecutorial practices which result in overcrowded institutions. Coordination and interdependence of all parts of the criminal justice system are vital to the development of effective solutions. Correctional spokespersons need to be involved in formulating proposals regarding sentencing reform. They also need to encourage dialogue with the courts and resist the use of overprofessionalized jargon in explaining their positions. Finally, corrections needs alliances with important community groups who have a stake in the corrections system (e.g., minorities, youth-oriented groups, and education professionals). Finally, in many cases, litigation is an unsatisfactory means of resolving disputes between the correctional system and inmates. No references are cited.