NCJ Number
11312
Journal
Prison Journal Volume: 52 Issue: 1 Dated: (SPRING/SUMMER 1972) Pages: COMPLETE ISSUE
Date Published
1972
Length
66 pages
Annotation
COLLECTION OF ARTICLES PRESENTING ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST THE USE OF THE INDETERMINATE SENTENCE.
Abstract
THE FIRST ARTICLE RESPONDS TO THE ARGUMENT OF 'STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE', WHICH STATES THAT OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS IN ITS VERY CONCEPTION UNSOUND. THE SECOND ARTICLE, A REPLY TO THE FIRST, IS IN FAVOR OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS, PUT FORTH IN 'STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE' THAT THE PRESENT, DISCRETIONARY SYSTEM OF INDIVIDUALIZED JUSTICE BE REPLACED WITH A NONDISCRETIONARY SYSTEM OF SHORT BUT FIXED PENALITIES. THE THIRD ARTICLE ILLUSTRATES, THROUGH THE EXPERIENCE OF THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION AT MUNCY, THE FAILURE OF THE INDETERMINATE SYSTEM TO ACHIEVE ITS THEORETICAL GOALS. THE FOURTH ARTICLE SUPPORTS THE INDETERMINATE SENTENCE ON THE GROUNDS THAT IT WILL PROVIDE A MORE EFFECTIVE SENTENCING RATIONALE AND MORE INDIVIDUALIZED TREATMENT. THE FIFTH ARTICLE DETAILS THE USE OF THE INDETERMINATE SYSTEM THROUGH THE WAYWARD MINOR ACT AND THE LENGTHY IMPRISONMENT WHICH MAY RESULT FOR NONCRIMINAL ACTS BY MINORS.