NCJ Number
47829
Date Published
1977
Length
221 pages
Annotation
STRATEGIES ARE DESCRIBED WHICH WOULD REDUCE THE NUMBER OF INCARCERATES IN ILLINOIS STATE PRISONS IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE A PROGRESSIVE SYSTEM OF CORRECTIONS.
Abstract
THE PRIMARY RECOMMENDATIONS PRESENTED IN EACH SECTION OF THE MASTER PLAN ARE SUBDIVIDED INTO THREE CATEGORIES, INCLUDING THOSE THAT REQUIRE: (1) ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY CHANGES; (2) LEGISLATIVE POLICY CHANGES; AND (3) MAJOR FUNDING COMMITMENTS. THE PLAN ENCOURAGES THE USE OF NONINCARCERATORY SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES, EMPHASIZING THAT INCARCERATIN SHOULD BE ASSUMED TO BE UNNCECESSARY UNLESS IT IS AFFIRMATIVELY JUSTIFIED. TO PROMULGATE UNIFORM SENTENCNG CRITERIA, SENTENCING INSTITUTES SHOULD BE HELD ON A REGULAR BASIS. A POLICY OF PRESUMPTIVE PAROLE AT MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY SHOULD BE ADOPTED, AND CONDITIONS OF PAROLE IMPOSED BY THE PAROLE AND PARDON BOARD SHOULD INCUDE ONLY THOSE ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO PROVIDE PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST; DISCHARGE FROM PAROLE SHOULD OCCUR AFTER 2 YEARS OF SUCCESSFUL SUPERVISION. SEVERAL STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY SERVICES ARE PROPOSED. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE BOUNDARIES OF THE ADULT FIELD SERVICES BE REALIGNED TO DEAL MORE EFFECTIVELY WITH WORKLOADS, AND THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE HEIRARCHY BE REVAMPED TO FACILITATE BETTER COORDINATION BETWEEN RELEASE PROGRAMS AND INSTITUTIONS. CRITERIA FOR WORK-RELEASE RESIDENTS SHOULD ALLOW FOR MORE HIGH-RISK INMATES; AND A TRI-LEVEL CLASSIFICATION AND SUPERVISION SCHEME IS RECOMMENDED, ALONG WITH A WORK UNIT SYSTEM FOR IMPLEMENTATION BY PROBATION DEPARTMENTS. THESE STRATEGIES ARE ALL SUBJECT TO LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGE IN POLICY. LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. THESE PLANS INCLUDE PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE SENTENCING STRUCTURES FOR ESTABLISHING A 5-YEAR MAXIMUM SENTENCE FOR ALL NONDANGEROUS OFFENDERS; REGULAR VISITS BY JUDGES TO ALL MAJOR DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FACILITIES; STRUCTURAL MODIFICATIONS OF THE PAROLE AND PARDON BOARD; REMOVAL OF MISDEMEANANTS FROM THE JURISDICTION OF THE DEPARTMENT; ORGANIZATIONAL, JURISDICTIONAL AND SERVICE-DELIVERY SYSTEM MODIFICATIONS. THE FINAL CLASS OF RECOMMENDATIONS ARE THOSE REQUIRIMG MAJOR FUNDING COMMITMENT: UNIFICATION OF PROBATION SERVICES INTO A STATEWIDE SYSTEM, UPGRADING OF THE DEPARTMENT'S INFORMATION SYSTEM, EXPANSION OF THE STATEWIDE NETWORK OF PARTIAL RESIDENTIAL CENTERS, AND THE RENOVATION AND RECONSTRUCTION OF CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES. THESE CLASSES OF RECOMMENDATIONS ARE DEVELOPED IN DETAIL UNDER THE CATEGORICAL HEADINGS: SENTENCNG AND PAROLE DECISIONMAKING, ORGANIZATION AND JURISDICTION, COMMUNITY SERVICES, INSTITUTIONS, AND IMPLEMENTATION. THE TEXT IS ILLUSRATED WITH PHOTOGRAPHS OF FACILITIES, DIAGRAMS, AND CHARTS. (DAG)