INMATE RECORDS FROM THE CRIMINOLOGICAL CLINIC OF THE MEXICAN STATE CENTRAL PENITENTIARY

• NCJ Number: 61130
• Journal: CRIMINLOGIA Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: (JANUARY 1978) Pages: 23-53,55-56
• Author(s): E V VALDES
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 33 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Country: Mexico

Annotation

THIS STUDY DESCRIBES THE CONSOLIDATION OF ALL FORMERLY SCATTERED INMATES RECORDS TO SHOW COMPLETE INDIVIDUAL PROFILES, AND SHOWS HOW THE PROFILES ARE USED TO IMPROVE INMATE SERVICES.

Abstract

ALL INMATES RECORDS, PREVIOUSLY SCATTERED IN DIFFERENT SECTIONS OF THE PENAL SYSTEM, MUST NOW BE CONSOLIDATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DETENTION AND PARTIAL-DETENTION LAW OF MEXICO. THE PURPOSE IS TO HAVE COMPLETE PERSONALITY PROFILES OF THE INDIVIDUAL INMATES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE AND REHABILITATION PURPOSES. SUCH PROFILES CONTAIN COURT RECORDS, PRISON RECORDS (INCLUDING ALL VIOLATIONS OF PRISON RULES), AND MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL RECORDS (CLINICAL CHARTS, DESCRIPTIONS OF PHYSICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL TRAITS, MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS, DENTAL RECORDS); THESE LAST ARE USED TO TREAT ALL MENTAL AND PHYSICAL DISORDERS OF INMATES. THE PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT OF INMATES IS PLANNED WITH SPECIAL REGARD FOR THE ABNORMAL AND STRESSFUL CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE PRISON ENVIRONMENT. INDIVIDUAL WORK APTITUDES OF INMATES ARE EVALUATED TO ASSIGN TO EACH THE MOST SUITABLE OCCUPATION, ALSO WITH A VIEW TO EQUIPPING THEM WITH WITH MARKETABLE SKILLS FOR THEIR RETURN TO SOCIETY. EDUCATIONAL RECORDS ARE USED TO GIVE THE INMATES THE TYPE OF EDUCATION SUITED TO THEIR CAPABILITIES AND DESIRES (ACADEMIC, VOCATIONAL, ARTISTIC). THE RECORDS KEPT BY SOCIAL WORKERS INCLUDE THE SOCIOECONOMIC HISTORY OF THE INMATES AND THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR DOMESTIC AND MARRIAGE RELATIONS (THE LATTER BASED UPON OBSERVATION OF THE INMATES' CONJUGAL VISITS), AND REPORTS OF THE PERSONAL INTERVIEWS BETWEEN SOCIAL WORKERS AND INMATES. ALSO DISCUSSED ARE THE BENEFITS OF CONJUGAL VISITS AND THE VARIOUS STEPS OF PRERELEASE PROGRAMS INTENDED TO PHASE THE INMATES INTO COMMUNITY LIFE (ORIENTATION SESSIONS, GROUP DISCUSSIONS SUPERVISED BY PSYCHOLOGISTS, INCREASED FREEDOM WITHIN THE PRISON, TRANSFER TO 'OPEN INSTITUTIONS', WORK AND WEEKEND-LEAVE PASSES). A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS APPENDED. --IN SPANISH. (LGR)