NCJ Number
19849
Date Published
1975
Length
42 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT CONTAINS THE RESULTS OF A STATEWIDE STUDY OF ADULT DETENTION FACILITIES AND PRACTICES, AND PRESENTS COMPREHENSIVE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LEGISLATIVE AND PROCEDURAL REOFRMS FOR ADULT DETENTION.
Abstract
AMONG THE STUDY ACTIVITIES WERE A FIELD SURVEY OF ALL OPERATING COUNTY JAILS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE COOK COUNTY FACILITIES; AN IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF THE ILLINOIS REVISED STATUTES, CHAPTER 38, 'CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE'. AN EXTENSIVE STUDY OF DETENTION PRACTICES AFFECTING ADULT OFFENDERS; AND CONSULTATIONS WITH PERSONS ACTIVE IN THE FIELD OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE. THE FINDINGS OF THIS STUDY INDICATE THAT DETENTION SERVICES STATEWIDE ARE STILL INADEQUATE, AND THAT REFORM EFFORTS IN THIS AREA OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE HAVE BEEN CONCENTRATED PRIMARILY IN THE THEORETICAL AND PLANNING PHASE. IN TOO MANY INSTANCES, IT WAS FOUND THAT DETENTION WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY OFFICIAL RESPONSE. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE INCLUDED ON THE INCREASED DIVERSION OF MISDEMEANOR OFFENDERS AND OFFENDERS WITH SOCIO-MEDICAL PROBLEMS, FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF DETENTION GUIDELINES, AND FOR LEGISLATIVE REOFRMS. FOLLOWING EACH RECOMMENDATION, THE REPORT PRESENTS A BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE NEED FOR THE REFORM AND THE STEPS THAT MUST BE TAKEN FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION.