CRISIS IN THE PRISONS - NEW YORK CITY RESPONDS - A COMMITMENT TO CHANGE

• NCJ Number: 9484
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1972
• Length: 45 pages
• Corporate Author: New York City Board of Correction
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: 1971 ANNUAL REPORT

Annotation

THE EFFORTS OF THE BOARD OF CORRECTIONS IN PRISON REFORM INCLUDING RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH INVOLVE THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY IN RESOLVING THE PRISON CRISIS IN NEW YORK.

Abstract

THIS ANNUAL REPORT ENUMERATES THE MANY PROJECTS INITIATED BY THE BOARD, MOST OF WHICH WERE VOLUNTEER AND MOST OF WHICH WERE SUCCESSFUL. THE REPORT EMPHASIZES THAT THE SINGLE GREATEST CRISIS IN THE CITY PRISON SYSTEM IS OVERCROWDING AND CONCLUDES THAT THIS CRISIS CANNOT BE RESOLVED UNLESS THE COURTS CAN REDUCE THE DETENTION POPULATION OR COMMAND THE AVAILABILITY OF ADDITIONAL FACILITIES ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS. IN THIS REPORT THE BOARD URGES THE REORGANIZATION OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM BY REFORMING THE BAIL SYSTEM, IMPLEMENTING THE LIMITED DETENTION RULE, AND IMPROVING THE TRAINING AND WORKING CONDITIONS OF CORRECTION OFFICERS. VARIOUS NEW MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, INCREASED DISTRIBUTION OF PERIODICALS, VOLUNTEER ENTERTAINMENT, PROGRAMS FOR SPANISH-SPEAKING PRISONERS, AND IMPROVEMENTS IN LIVING CONDITIONS ARE OTHER EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS IN THE PRISONS THAT THE BOARD HAS PILOTED. THE BOARD HAS ALSO DISSEMINATED PUBLIC REPORTS ON PRISON LIFE AND DEATH IN ORDER TO AROUSE PUBLIC AND OFFICIAL ATTENTION.