COUNSELOR, COMMUNITY AND THE BLACK PRISONER

• NCJ Number: 58311
• Journal: BLACK SCHOLAR Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: (OCTOBER 1972) Pages: 46-55
• Author(s): M C JONES; M H JONES
• Date Published: 1972
• Length: 10 pages
• Corporate Author: Black World Foundation
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

METHODS INCLUDING COUNSELING, THERAPY, AND CHANGING LEGAL AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURES CAN HELP THE BLACK INMATE TO BECOME A PRODUCTIVE MEMBER OF SOCIETY UPON HIS RELEASE FROM PRISON.

Abstract

SYSTEMATIC PROCEDURES FOR PROVIDING RELEVANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE OFFENSES AND THE OFFENDER TO THE SENTENCING JUDGE ARE REQUIRED. PROCEDURES SHOULD BE DEVELOPED TO FURNISH BASIC PRE-SENTENCING INFORMATION TO THE COURTS; AMONG THE FACTS THAT ARE THE MOST VITAL ARE THE DEFENDANT'S PRIOR CRIMINAL RECORD, HIS FAMILY STATUS, AND HIS EDUCATIONAL AND EMPLOYMENT HISTORY AS WELL AS HIS FINANCIAL AND PHYSICAL CONDITIONS. ALL THESE FACTORS SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN THE SENTENCING DECISION IS BEING MADE. IN PRISON ITSELF, IT IS BECOMING CLEAR THAT THE PRISONER CANNOT BE STRIPPED OF ALL HIS RIGHTS. FOR EXAMPLE, THE PRACTICE OF ADMINISTRATORS TO INTERFERE IN CERTAIN TYPES OF CORRESPONDENCE IS BEING QUESTIONED. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE CONCERNING CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE PRISONER'S ATTORNEY. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LEGAL AID PROGRAMS WITH THE LAW SCHOOLS CAN AVOID ADVERSE JUDICIAL DECISIONS AND AT THE SAME TIME RENDER MORE MEANINGFUL SERVICE TO THE INMATE. ANOTHER METHOD OF HELPING THE PRISONER IS THROUGH EFFECTIVE COUNSELING PROGRAMS. WELL ROUNDED GUIDANCE SERVICES DEPEND ON AN EFFECTIVE ORGANIZATION TO INSTITUTE FEATURES AND ACTIVITIES WHICH CONSTITUTE THE GUIDANCE FUNCTION: EDUCATING UNSPECIALIZED GUIDANCE WORKERS IN THEIR ROLES, STAFFING THE INSTITUTION WITH SPECIALIZED WORKERS, SETTING UP INFORMATION AND RECORD SERVICES AND COORDINATING THE EFFORTS OF ALL TO THE END OF GIVING UNIFIED GUIDANCE TO THE INMATE. VOCATIONAL PLACEMENT, COMMUNITY RESOURCES, AND SPECIAL PROBLEMS MUST BE REFERRED TO A SPECIALLY TRAINED STAFF. THE BLACK COMMUNITY HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO BLACK INMATES AND THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN RECENTLY RELEASED TO HELP THEM OBTAIN A NEW LEASE ON LIFE AND BECOME PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY INSTEAD OF REGARDING THEM AS SOCIAL OUTCASTS. (STB)