NCJ Number
16455
Editor(s)
D J WEST
Date Published
1972
Length
212 pages
Annotation
THE PURPOSES AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE DIFFERENT SYSTEMS ARE DISCUSSED CRITICALLY FROM THE STANDPOINTS OF LAW, JUSTICE, SOCIAL CONTROL, AND REHABILITATION.
Abstract
THIS COLLECTION OF ESSAYS ABOUT PAROLE IS CONCERNED IN THE FIRST INSTANCE WITH THE SYSTEM AS IT HAS DEVELOPED IN RECENT YEARS IN ENGLAND. THE FIRST CHAPTER IS A BRIEF STATEMENT ABOUT THE NATURE OF THE ENGLISH PAROLE SYSTEM, AND THIS IS FOLLOWED BY A SECOND CHAPTER COMMENTING UPON HOW THE SYSTEM APPEARS TO BE WORKING OUT IN PRACTICE AND HOW IT MIGHT POSSIBLY BE IMPROVED. THE THIRD CHAPTER CONSIDERS IN GREATER DETAIL WHAT IS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT SECTOR OF THE PAROLE SELECTION SYSTEM, THE LOCAL REVIEW COMMITTEES AT THE PRISONS. THEY CONSIDER EVERY ELIGIBLE CASE AND MAKE THE FIRST SELECTION OF SUITABLE CANDIDATES. THE FOURTH CHAPTER, DEALS WITH THE CRUCIAL QUESTION OF THE PROVISION OF APPROPRIATE SUPERVISION FOR THOSE WHO ARE RELEASED ON PAROLE. THE FIFTH CHAPTER COVERS THE LEGAL PHILOSOPHY UNDERLYING PAROLE AS REVEALED IN THE DRAFTING OF STATUTES. THIS IS WRITTEN BY A LAWYER WHO HAS MADE A SPECIAL STUDY OF THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ENGLAND AND THE UNITED STATES IN HIS RESPECT. THE SIXTH CAHPTER, WRITTEN BY A CRIMINOLOGIST WHO HAS CARRIED OUT AN EXTENSIVE RESEARCH INTO AMERICAN PAROLE SYSTEMS, EXPLORES THE RELATION BETWEEN PAROLE AND PRISON, AND THE EFFECT OF PAROLE ON THE PENAL SYSTEM GENERALLY. THE SEVENTH CHAPTER DEALS WITH THE EFFECTIVENESS OR OTHERWISE OF PAROLE SUPERVISION AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING CRIME OR HELPING OFFENDERS. THE FINAL CHAPTER IS WRITTEN BY TWO AMERICAN AUTHORITIES. THEIR CONTRIBUTION DEALS WITH THE PRIMARY FUNCTION OF ALL PAROLE BOARDS, NAMELY SELECTION FOR RELEASE IN RELATION TO RISK OF FAILURE ON PAROLE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)