NCJ Number
58574
Date Published
1978
Length
55 pages
Annotation
PROGRESS BY THE DELAWARE WOMEN'S CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION IN ELIMINATING OVERCROWDING AND OTHER PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED IN AN APRIL 1977 EVALUATION IS ASSESSED, AND REMAINING PROBLEM AREAS ARE DEFINED.
Abstract
THE MAJOR PROBLEMS FOUND IN 1977 WERE OVERCROWDING, INSUFFICIENT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, AND LACK OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING, MEDICAL ATTENTION, AND LEGAL REFERENCE MATERIALS. AS OF OCTOBER 1978, THE OVERCROWDING PROBLEM HAD BEEN ALLEVIATED THROUGH THE USE OF TWO COTTAGES, WHICH ALSO MADE IT POSSIBLE TO SEPARATE INMATES BY LEVEL OF SECURITY REQUIREMENT. AMONG OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS WERE THE SEPARATION OF SENTENCED AND DETAINED INMATES, EXTENSION OF VISITING HOURS, INTRODUCTION OF AN EDUCATIONAL/VOCATIONAL PROGRAM (INVOLVING 63 PERCENT OF SENTENCED INMATES), AND REGULAR PROVISION OF MEDICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES AND DRUG SCREENING. AMONG CHANGES IN PROGRESS WERE PUBLICATION OF AN INMATE REFERENCE MANUAL AND A DETAINEE RIGHTS MANUAL, DEVELOPMENT OF NEW GRIEVANCE AND CLASSIFICATION PROCEDURES, EXPANSION OF EDUCATIONAL/VOCATIONAL PROGRAM'S AND THE PURCHASE OF LEGAL MATERIALS FOR THE PRISON LIBRARY. REMAINING PROBLEM AREAS INCLUDED INADEQUATE WRITTEN REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES, INADEQUATE ACCESS TO LEGAL MATERIALS, LACK OF PROVISIONS FOR SPECIAL DIETS, SOME OVERCROWDING IN ONE BUILDING, LACK OF PROGRAMS FOR DETAINED WOMEN, INMATE IDLENESS, AND UNDERUTILIZATION OF WORK PROGRAMS. DETAILS OF THESE AND OTHER PROBLEMS ARE PROVIDED, AND SOLUTIONS ARE RECOMMENDED. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT MANY OF THE PROBLEMS COULD BE SOLVED WITHOUT SPENDING ADDITIONAL FUNDS, AND THAT NEARLY ALL OF THE PROBLEMS COULD GENERATE LAWSUITS BY INMATES. (LKM)