NCJ Number
90717
Journal
Rassengna penitenziaria e criminologica Volume: 4 Issue: 1-2 Dated: (January - June 1982) Pages: 185-198
Date Published
1982
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Law No. 689 of 4 November 1981 may mean a reversal of the current trend toward incarceration and movement toward community-based corrections.
Abstract
The impact of prison life on the convict has serious implications not only for the convict himself but also for society. Prison life rarely rehabilitates a prisoner; instead, it often isolates him further from the community, thereby increasing recidivism. Since prison does not ensure that society will be protected against further crime, incarceration should be used only in cases in which the potential for harm to society is great and when other interventions are useless or even dangerous to the community. Law No. 689 is aimed at application of alternative sanctions, which sometimes are more effective than the traditional prison system. It is the responsibility of the local community to protect itself by taking steps to prevent and reduce crime, to intervene at the point when prisoners are to be reintegrated into society at the end of their sentences, and to offer support and work opportunities during partial release and supervised parole. Law No. 616 of 1977 presents the legal regulations which must be followed.