NCJ Number
45362
Journal
CRIMINOLOGIA Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: (DECEMBER 1977) Pages: 7-21
Date Published
1977
Length
15 pages
Annotation
THE PHILOSOPHY OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN MEXICO IS EXPLORED, AND CHANGES ARE PROPOSED TO MAKE THE SYSTEM MORE EQUITABLE AND RESPONSIVE. THE REFORM AND REBUILDING OF THE PRISON SYSTEM SINCE 1971 IS DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE REFORM RESULTED IN THE BUILDING OF FOUR REGIONAL PRISONS TO REFLECT A NEW EMPHASIS ON PREVENTION AND REHABILITATION RATHER THAN THE PUNISHMENT AND CORRUPTION WHICH CHARACTERIZED THE OLD SYSTEM. THE OLD SYSTEM BRED RECIDIVISM AND WAS THEREFORE ACTUALLY MORE EXPENSIVE. THE MAJOR CHANGES IN THE SYSTEM SINCE 1971 ARE DESCRIBED, INCLUDING LAWS MANDATING MINIMUM STANDARDS IN SENTENCING AND TREATMENT, AND TREATMENT OF JUVENILE DELINQUENTS THAT MINIMIZES INCARCERATION. OTHER APPROACHES TO REDUCING THE NUMBER OF SENTENCES THAT CALL FOR IMPRISONMENT INCLUDE A REVISION OF THE CRIMINAL CODE TO DECRIMINALIZE OR EVEN LEGALIZE CERTAIN ACTIONS AND SUBSTANCES. GUIDELINES TO DETERMINE WHAT CONDUCT SHOULD NOT BE PENALIZED ARE PROPOSED. EXISTING NEEDS, INCLUDING SWIFTER JUSTICE, ARE DELINEATED. TABLES GIVE SAMPLE STATISTICS FOR THE NUMBER OF PERSONS IMPRISONED IN 1976, THE NUMBER FREED PROVISIONALLY, SUSPENDED SENTENCES, AND SENTENCES SUSPENDED UPON PAYMENT OF A FINE. ARCHITECTURAL ADVANCES IN PRISON DESIGN ARE INCORPORATED INTO THE NEW PRISONS. IT IS STATED THAT SECURITY AND VIGILANCE NEED NOT CONFLICT WITH THE THREE IDEAL PRINCIPLES: OBSERVATION, CLASSIFICATION, AND TREATMENT. A NEW PRISON HOSPITAL FOR THE FEDERAL DISTRICT IS DESCRIBED. THE OLD PRISON IN THE DISTRICT WHICH IS BEING PHASED OUT, IS CONSIDERED A SYMBOL OF THE ABUSES OF THE OLD PENAL SYSTEM; THESE INCLUDED VIOLENCE AND STIGMATIZATION OF THE PRISONER AND HIS FAMILY AFTER HIS RELEASE. THE THREE ALTERNATIVES FOR A PENAL SYSTEM IN MEXICO ARE (1) A CENTRAL PRISON; (2) A LARGE NUMBER OF DECENTRALIZED SMALLER PRISONS; AND (3) THE ADOPTED SYSTEM OF A LIMITED NUMBER OF REGIONAL PRISONS. THE MAJOR FAILINGS OF A SYSTEM OF INCARCERATION ARE SUGGESTED, AND THE IDEAL FEATURES OF A GOOD SYSTEM ARE LISTED: ACCESS TO SCHOOLING, WORKSHOPS, SPORTS, FAMILIAR LOCATION, AND SOCIOCULTURAL ACTIVITIES; ADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF INMATES; AND MAINTAINING CLOSE TIES WITH FAMILIES, PARTICULARLY FOR JUVENILE INMATES. THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING ENLIGHTENED PENOLOGISTS IS EMPHASIZED. -- IN SPANISH. (MPL)