NCJ Number
60059
Journal
Howard Journal of Penology and Crime Prevention Volume: 18 Issue: 2 Dated: (1979) Pages: 65-69
Date Published
1979
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THIS OPINION COLUMN PRESENTS BRIEF COMMENTS BY DIFFERENT AUTHORS ON THREE CURRENT ISSUE IN BRITISH PENOLOGY: MAKING PRISONS OPEN, THE NEED FOR REFORM OF THE NATIONAL PRISON DEPARTMENT, AND PRISON LIBRARIES.
Abstract
A REVIEW OF A 1977 HOWARD LEAGUE PAMPHLET, 'LOSING TOUCH,' NOTES THAT THE CASE FOR LIFTING REESTRICTIONS ON INMATES VISITS AND LETTERS IS MADE. THE PAMPHLET ARGUES FOR NO LIMIT ON LETTERS, EARLIER HOME LEAVES, TELEPHONE ACCESS, AND IMPORVED VISITING ARRANGEMENTS, WITH EXCEPTIONS ONLY FOR SPECIFIC PRISONERS AND SUBJECT TO INDEPENDENT REVIEW. REASONS ADVANCED ARE THE NEED TO EMPHASIZE REHABILITATION RATHER THAN PUNISHMENT AND THE OBNOXIOUSNESS OF ALL FORMS OF CENSORSHIP. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT PRISON STAFF TRY TO FIND VISITORS AND CORRESPONDENTS FOR PRISONERS WITH NO OUTSIDE CONTACTS IN ORDER TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE NEED TO SHORTEN OR AVOID PRISON SENTENCES. REFORM OF THE PRISON DEPARTMENT OF THE HOME OFFICE IS LIKELY TO RESULT FROM THE CURRENT INQUIRY WHICH STEMMED FROM A PREDICTION OF VIOLENCE IF NO REFORMS WERE MADE RATHER THAN FROM PRISON OFFICERS' JOB ACTIONS OR RESULTING HARDSHIP TO PRISONERS. A DECENTRALIZED SYSTEM IS NEEDED TO REPLACE THE CURRENT RIGIDLY CENTRALIZED PRISON DEPARTMENT. THE HOWARD LEAGUE THEREFORE PROPOSES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A JOINT COMMISSION FOR THE PENAL SYSTEM WHICH WOULD MAINTAIN THE CURRENT INTEGRATION OF PRISON AND PROBATION MANAGEMENT. THE COMMISSION SHOULD HAVE A COMBINED BUDGET FOR CUSTODIAL AND NONCUSTODIAL AREAS. PENOLOGY'S GOAL SHOULD BE RETURNING THE OFFENDER TO THE COMMUNITY RATHER THAN INCARCERATION. WITH RESPECT TO PRISON LIBRARIES, THE PENSION DEPARTMENT'S 1978 POLICY STATEMENT STATES THE WORTHWHILE GOALS OF IMPROVING PRISONER'S ACCESS TO LIBRARY SERVICES, BUT THE WEEK IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES MAY ONLY PERPETUATE THE CURRENT INADEQUATE SYSTEM. PUBLISHED MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR LIBRARY PROVISION, COVERING SPACE, NUMBER OF BOOKS, FREQUENCY AND DURATION OF INMATE ACCESS ARE NEEDED. ANNUAL STATISTICS SHOULD BE PUBLISHED TO MEASURE PROGRESS TOWARD AGREED STANDARDS. A REFERENCE LIST IS INCLUDED. (CFW)