NCJ Number
48655
Editor(s)
L MCCANDLESS
Date Published
1976
Length
0 pages
Annotation
A DISCUSSION OF THE TREATMENT OF INMATES IS PRESENTED IN THIS FILMSTRIP AND CASSETTE PROGRAM, FOCUSING ON THE LACK OF REHABILITATIVE TREATMENT.
Abstract
AUBURN STATE PRISON, A MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON IN NEW YOR STATE, WAS THE FIRST PRISON TO EXECUTE SOMEONE BY THE ELECTRIC CHAIR. THE PRISON WAS, AT ONE TIME, A VERY STRICT PLACE, WHERE INMATES WERE BEATEN AND LEFT IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT FOR MONTHS. A GREAT DEAL OF REFORM TOOK PLACE SO THERE IS NO MORE ABUSE AT AUBURN, BUT THE MEN ARE STILL KEPT IN CAGES. PRISONERS ARE ABLE TO EARN A DOLLAR A DAY, WHICH ALLOWS THEM TO BUY THE NECESSITIES THEY WANT. THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO SAVE ANY MONEY EITHER -A MAN IN PRISON FOR 16 YEARS SAID HE WAS ONLY ABLE TO SAVE $8. THE YOUNGER PRISONERS ARE VERY CAUTIOUS ABOUT MAKING FRIENDS. THE MAIN EMPHASIS AT AUBURN IS TO REHABILITATE THE INMATE AND MAKE HIM A USEFUL MEMBER OF SOCIETY. THE MAIN INDUSTRY THERE IS THE MANUFACTURE OF LICENSE PLATES, WHICH THE PRISON CLAIMS IS A GOOD TRADE, WITH APPLICATIONS IN OTHER FIELDS. THE PRISONERS SAY THAT THERE ARE NO APPLICATIONS IN THAT AREA. OTHER WORK SKILLS ARE TAUGHT IN SILK-SCREENING PROCESSES AND CABINET MAKING. MOST OF THE OTHER JOBS ARE STRICTLY MENIAL LABOR. THE PRISON HAS AN EDUCATION PROGRAM WHERE THE HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY IS OFFERED ALONG WITH COLLEGE COURSES LEADING TO AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE OR NURSING CERTIFICATE. MANY INMATES ENROLL IN THE COURSES SO IT LOOKS GOOD FOR THEIR PAROLE, WHILE A FEW DO IT FOR THEIR OWN ENRICHMENT. ONE PRISONER WAS ON DEATH ROW FOR EIGHT YEARS WHEN ALL DEATH SENTENCES WERE COMMUTED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT. HE BEGAN STUDYING LAW, AND THEN STARTED TO HELP OTHER INMATES WITH THEIR CASES. HE COMPLETED AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE AND WAS OFFERED A SCHOLARSHIP AT SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY, WHICH HE WAS UNABLE TO ACCEPT BECAUSE HIS SENTENCE COULD NOT BE COMMUTED. THE INMATES ARE OFFERED REHABILITATION PROGRAMS AND VARIOUS FORMS OF SPORTS AND RECREATION. THERE IS ALSO AN UNDERGROUND LIFE IN THE PRISON, WHERE INMATES LEARN OTHER CRIME TECHNIQUES AND GET INVOLVED IN DRUG DEALING AND THE BLACK MARKET. THE INMATES ASK FOR PEOPLE TO COME INSIDE A PRISON AND LEARN WHAT IT IS REALLY LIKE. OUTSIDERS CAN THEN SEE WHY INMATES BECOME SO VINDICTIVE. FOR RELATED DOCUMENTS, SEE NCJ 48654, 48656, AND 48657. (BAC)