NCJ Number
46573
Date Published
1975
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE IDEA THAT CORRECTIONS SHOULD ADDRESS ITSELF TO DOING LESS HARM RATHER THAN TO DOING MORE GOOD IS DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE THRUST OF THE PRESENTATION IS THAT, IF CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS STOPPED PRETENDING THAT THEY CAN MAKE A MAJOR DIFFERENCE IN CRIME RATES, THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE OTHER IMPORTANT GOALS. CRIMINAL LAW GOVERNS THE GREATEST POWER THAT THE STATE EXERCISES OVER CITIZENS. IF FAIRNESS, DECENCY, AND EFFICIENCY CAN BE BROUGHT TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESSES, INCLUDING PUNISHMENT, THEN THE SAME QUALITIES CAN BE BROUGHT TO OTHER SOCIAL PROCESSES. IF PROPER REGARD IS SHOWN FOR THE AUTONOMY AND CONTINUING INTEGRITY OF THE PRISONER AS A PERSON, THEN PROPER REGARD WILL BE SHOWN FOR THE HUMANITY OF ALL CITIZENS. THE CENTRAL QUESTION IN PENOLOGY -- WHO SHOULD GO TO PRISON AND FOR WHAT REASONS -- IS ALMOST NEVER ADDRESSED. PROBLEMS IN CORRECTIONS ARE NOT UTILITARIAN OR ECONOMIC IN NATURE. THEY ARE PROBLEMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS. PRISONS SHOULD OFFER MORE REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, BUT NOT ON A COERCIVE BASIS. PRISONS SHOULD STOP PRETENDING TO BE CURATIVE PLACES AND START PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO PEOPLE WHO WISH TO ENGAGE IN SELF-CHANGE. IMPRISONMENT WILL CONTINUE TO BE NECESSARY AND SHOULD BE MADE MORE PRINCIPLED AND HUMANE. (LKM)