NCJ Number
56682
Date Published
1977
Length
6 pages
Annotation
AN EX-OFFENDER OFFERS HIS PERSPECTIVES ON THE EFFECTS OF PUNISHMENT ON HIS BEHAVIOR AS ADMINISTERED THROUGH FEDERAL AND STATE JUVENILE SYSTEMS, TOGETHER WITH A CONSIDERATION OF HIS FIRST ADULT CONVICTION.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR, FIRST ARRESTED AT THE AGE OF 13 FOR BREAKING INTO AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, RECEIVED INCREASINGLY SEVERE PUNISHMENTS FOR SUBSEQUENT CONVICTIONS OF BURGLARY AND AUTO THEFT. LIFE INSIDE THE INSTITUTIONS TO WHICH HE WAS COMMITTED CONSISTED OF SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST, THE FITTEST BEING THOSE WHO COULD PHYSICALLY DOMINATE OTHER INMATES. HOSTILITY AND BITTERNESS WERE FOSTERED AMONG INMATES TOWARD THE 'SYSTEM' AND ITS REPRESENTATIVES CONSIDERED RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR IMPRISONMENT AND POOR TREATMENT. THE MANUAL LABOR SUPERVISED BY THE INSTITUTIONS BECAME SYNONOMOUS WITH OPPRESSION. OVERALL, THE JUVENILE INSTITUTIONAL EXPERIENCE TENDED TO FOSTER AGGRESSIVENESS, INTIMIDATION, SUSPICION, AND VOWS TO 'BEAT THE SYSTEM.' THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT PRISON IS MORE LIKELY TO GUARANTEE RECIDIVISM THAN SUCCESSFUL ADJUSTMENT TO SOCIETY. IT IS ARGUED THAT THE THRUST OF CORRECTIONS SHOULD BE TOWARD HELPING OFFENDERS DEVELOP SKILLS AND ATTITUDES USEFUL IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ACCEPTABLE SURVIVAL BEHAVIOR IN SOCIETY. ALSO, LAWS OBSTRUCTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EX-OFFENDERS IN THE JOB MARKET CAN ONLY SERVE TO INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD THAT EX-OFFENDERS WILL REVERT TO CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR TO SURVIVE. THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION IS COMMENDED FOR ITS EFFORTS CHANGE SUCH LAWS. PROGRAMS CONDUCTED BY THE FORTUNE SOCIETY, THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF BUSINESSMEN, AND THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE AFL-CIO ARE ALSO LAUDED FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO DEVELOP JOB OPENINGS FOR EX-OFFENDERS. (RCB)