NCJ Number
62859
Date Published
1979
Length
18 pages
Annotation
HISTORICAL TRENDS IN CORRECTIONS ARE REVIEWED, AND PROJECTIONS ARE MADE FOR THE FUTURE.
Abstract
CORRECTIONS BEYOND 1984 WILL MAINTAIN THE HISTORICAL TRENDS BY EMPHASIZING COMMUNITY PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE THE ATTITUDES AND SELF-CONCEPTS OF OFFENDERS AND PREPARE THEM TO ADOPT APPROPRIATE SOCIOECONOMIC ROLES IN THE COMMUNITY. COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS OFFER THE GREATEST PROMISE FOR SUCCESS IN CORRECIONS BEYOND 1984. THESE INCLUDE WELFARE SERVICES AND FAMILY COUNSELING FOR THOSE WITH PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN, COUNSELING IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR THE EARLY SCHOOL CHILD, VOLUNTARY POLICE SUPERVISION AND JUVENILE COURT COUNSELING FOR YOUTH COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, GROUP HOMES AND HALFWAY HOUSES FOR JUVENILES AND ADULTS WHO NEED TO BE REMOVED FROM THEIR HOMES BUT NOT FROM THE COMMUNITY, AND SPECIALIZED COMMUNITY PROGRAMS FOR A VARIETY OF PROBLEMS. SMALL PRISONS WILL BE NEEDED TO CONTROL DANGEROUS OFFENDERS, BUT THESE SHOULD BE DESIGNED FOR TREATMENT. THE VAST MAJORITY OF OFFENDERS ARE NOT DANGEROUS, HOWEVER, AND CAN BE TREATED IN THE COMMUNITY. IN ADDITION, EARLY IDENTIFICATION AND ATTENTION CAN REDUCE DELINQUENCY AND SUBSEQUENT ADULT CRIME, AND PROGRAMS APPROPRIATE FOR VARIOUS AGE GROUPS CAN BE DEVISED TO MEET SOCIALIZATION DEFICIENCIES THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE EVOLVE INTO CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. NOTES AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)