NCJ Number
59160
Date Published
1975
Length
28 pages
Annotation
IMPROVING THE APPROACH TO THE INSTITUTIONAL TREATMENT OF INMATES IN GEORGIA CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES IS THE FOCUS OF THIS CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS AND GOALS STUDY.
Abstract
GEORGIA HAS THE HIGHEST PER CAPITA RATIO OF INCARCERATED OFFENDERS OF ANY STATE, OVER 200 OFFENDERS PER 100,000 POPULATION. INSTITUTIONAL EFFORTS TO PREVENT INMATES FROM RETURNING TO LIVES OF CRIME AFTER RELEASE HAVE NOT BEEN EFFECTIVE; THE STATE HAS A RECIDIVISM OF 53 PERCENT. REHABILITATION PROGRAMS IN GEORGIA PRISONS ARE LIMITED BY FUNDING CONSTRAINTS AND INCREASED COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH A RISING PRISON POPULATION. PROBLEMS SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO PRISON CONDITIONS AND INSTITUTIONAL TREATMENT INVOLVE LIVING SPACE, MEDICAL SERVICES, EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL SERVICES, CORRECTIONAL INDUSTRIES, RECREATION, AND COORDINATED SERVICES FOR INMATES. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS/OFFENDER REHABILITION ESTABLISH THE INSTITUTIONAL COMPONENT OF THE PERFORMANCE EARNED RELEASE MODEL (PERM) AS A PILOT PROJECT IN AT LEAST TWO LOCATIONS. THE BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES SHOULD ACT AS A THIRD PARTY TO TREATMENT-RELEASE CONTRACTS BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS/OFFENDER REHABILITATION AND OFFENDERS, AND THIS BOARD SHOULD RETAIN ITS POSITION AS THE FINAL RELEASE AUTHORITY. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE TWO INSTITUTIONS CHOSEN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PILOT PROJECT HAVE ALL REHABILITATION PROGRAMS NECESSARY TO TEST THE PERM MODEL ADEQUATELY. A STRATEGY FOR IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATION IS DETAILED, AND THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THE INSTITUTIONAL COMPONENT OF PERM IS ASSESSED. THE EXPERIENCE OF OTHER STATES AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN THE INSTITUTIONAL TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS IS REVIEWED. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)