NCJ Number
62452
Date Published
1977
Length
43 pages
Annotation
OPPOSING VIEWS REGARDING THE ROLE OF PRISONS IN DEALING WITH OFFENDERS ARE PRESENTED BY ADVOCATES OF EACH VIEWPOINT.
Abstract
ONE PAPER SEES THE ANSWER TO INCREASING CRIME RATES TO BE MORE APPREHENSION OF CRIMINALS THROUGH MORE EFFECTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT, A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF CONVICTIONS THROUGH THE ABOLISHMENT OF THE EXCLUSIONARY RULE, AND MORE SENTENCES OF IMPRISONMENT TO PREVENT OFFENDERS FROM REPEATING CRIMES. A SECOND PRESENTATION FAVORS THE ABOLISHMENT OF IMPRISONMENT FOR ALL BUT ABOUT 15 PERCENT OF OFFENDERS (THOSE CATEGORIZED AS DANGEROUS), WITH THE REMAINING 85 PERCENT RECEIVING VOCATIONAL TRAINING, COUNSELING AND THERAPY, AND REGULAR EMPLOYMENT WHILE RESIDING IN A COMMUNITY TREATMENT CENTER OR HALFWAY HOUSE. A THIRD VIEW WOULD PATTERN CORRECTIONS FROM A THEOLOGICAL BASIS WHICH VIEWS CRIME AS A SIN AGAINST GOD WHO REQUIRES PUNITIVE CONSEQUENCES FOR MISDEEDS AS A MEANS OF DRIVING SINNERS TO PERCEIVE THEIR HELPLESSNESS AND SEEK FORGIVENESS FROM GOD THROUGH CHRIST. A FOURTH VIEWPOINT ALSO SPEAKS FROM A THEOLOGICAL BASE IN CRITICIZING PRISONS AS INEFFECTUAL IN BRINGING ABOUT THE KIND OF PERSONAL REFORM ENVISIONED IN CHRISTIANITY. A FACING OF SELF IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF LOVE AND CARING WHICH WILL HELP HEAL THE HURTS AND FILL THE NEEDS INFLUENCING CRIMINALITY IS ADVOCATED. A FIFTH VIEW ARGUES FOR THE IMPRISONMENT OF SECOND-TIME OFFENDERS UNTIL THE AGE OF 35, WHICH STATISTICS SHOW TO BE THE AGE AFTER WHICH THE IMPULSE TOWARD CRIMINALITY DROPS SHARPLY. THE FINAL ARTICLE ADVOCATES THE ABOLITION IF PRISONS AS PROVEN FAILURES IN DEALING WITH CRIME AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVE MEANS FOR CURING CAUSES OF CRIME. THE FORMAT OF THE BOOKLET INCLUDES QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RATIONALE FOR EACH POSITION, AND A TEST IS PRESENTED AT THE END IN AN EFFORT TO HELP THE READER DISTINGUISH FACT FROM OPINION. (RCB)