INCREASING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS IN JAMAICA (FROM UNAFEI - RESOURCE MATERIAL SERIES NO 14, 1978, SEE NCJ-51514)

• NCJ Number: 51515
• Author(s): D ALLEN
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 3 pages
• Corporate Author: United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: Japan
• Note: PRESENTED AT THE 45TH INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON INCREASE OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS, TOKYO, FEBRUARY 22 TO MARCH 26, 1977

Annotation

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN ADULT AND JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR OFFENDERS, AND PROPOSED MEASURES FOR SENTENCING AND TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS TO AID COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

BEGINNING IN 1975, THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT OPENING UP OF THE EIGHT ADULT CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN JAMAICA TO COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS, WHO PROVIDE A VARIETY OF TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INMATES, INCLUDING PERFORMING ARTS, PROSE AND POETRY COMPOSITION, ARTS AND CRAFTS, ACADEMICS, AND MUSIC. SPORTS PERSONNEL FROM THE COMMUNITY VISIT INMATES ONCE WEEKLY TO COACH AND ORGANIZE INTERBLOCK SPORTS COMPETITION. INMATES ARE PERMITTED INTO THE COMMUNITY UNDER SUPERVISION TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR TALENTS IN THE PERFORMING ARTS. RECENTLY A STEERING COMMITTEE WITH HEAVY REPRESENTATION FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR WAS FORMED FOR THE PURPOSES OF EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE NEEDS OF INMATES AND CHANGING THE PRISON ORIENTATION FROM MERE CUSTODY TO PREPARATION OF INMATES FOR REINTEGRATION INTO SOCIETY. EACH OF THE 12 JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS HAS A BOARD OF MANAGEMENT COMPRISED OF PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH IT IS LOCATED. INDIVIDUALS, SERVICE CLUBS, AND VARIOUS OTHER ORGANIZATIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY ARE INVOLVED IN PROGRAMS IN THE INSTITUTIONS. COMMUNITY SERVICE IS ORGANIZED ON A NATIONAL BASIS AND IS STAFFED BY TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS FOR THE PURPOSES OF PREPARING PRESENTENCE REPORTS, SUPERVISING ADULTS AND JUVENILES UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS, AND SUPERVISING CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS. IN EACH AREA A COMMITTEE OF LOCAL RESIDENTS MEETS REGULARLY TO REVIEW THE WORK OF THE OFFICERS. THEY ALSO HELP IN PROVIDING COUNSELING AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECENTLY INTRODUCED A NEW SENTENCING PACKAGE TO SERVE COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS WITH THE FOLLOWING DISPOSITIONAL OPTIONS: SUSPENDED SENTENCE, COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDER, DAY TRAINING CENTRE ORDER, AND FINES. PROVISIONS FOR TEMPORARY ABSENCE FROM INSTITUTIONS ARE ALSO BEING DRAFTED INTO LEGISLATION TO PERMIT INMATES TO WORK DURING DAY AND RETURN TO THE INSTITUTION AT NIGHT OR ON WEEKENDS. (RCB)