NCJ Number
25301
Date Published
1974
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THE FAILURE OF THE INSTITUTIONAL PRISON SYSTEM IS REVIEWED, AND THE COMMUNITY BASED CORRECTIONAL ALTERNATIVES THAT PROVIDE MORE EFFECTIVE OFFENDER REHABILITATION AT A LOWER COST ARE EXPLORED.
Abstract
THROUGH A SERIES OF INTERVIEWS WITH INSTITUTION SUPERINTENDENTS, PROGRAM DIRECTORS, AND THE FORMER ADMINISTRATOR OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATION, THIS FILM DOCUMENTS THE MISFUNCTION OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, PARTICULARLY THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM, AND PRESENTS AVAILABLE ALTERNATIVES. IT IS STATED THAT THE HIGH COST OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM - CLOSE TO 12 BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR BY 1974 - IS NOT JUSTIFIED BY THE INCREASES IN RECIDIVISM, INCREASING CRIME RATES, THE INCREASING FEAR OF CRIME, AND THE CONTINUING LACK OF REHABILITATION PROVIDED IN PRISONS. SEVERAL SUCCESSFUL REHABILITATION PROGRAMS ARE THEN SHOWN. AMONG THESE ARE A VOCATIONAL FOOD SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM, THE BROOKLYN COURT EMPLOYMENT PROJECT, AND A COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM PROVIDING TRAINING IN BUSINESS SKILLS. THE DIFFERENCES IN COST AND EFFECTIVENESS BETWEEN THE TRADITIONAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION AND THESE ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS ARE INDICATED.