MAINE - IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST - DIGEST OF FINDINGS GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE ON CORRECTIONS

• NCJ Number: 54500
• Author(s): H C HORNBY
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 34 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Maine Criminal Justice Planning and Assistance Agency
• Corporate Author: Maine Criminal Justice Planning and Assistance Agency
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE REPORTED OF THE MAINE GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE ON CORRECTIONS ESTABLISHED TO EVALUATE THE FACILITIES AND PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE HANDLING OF JUVENILE AND ADULT OFFENDERS.

Abstract

ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1974, THE GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE ON CORRECTIONS PRESENTED ITS FINDINGS ON THE TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION OF JUVENILE AND ADULT OFFENDERS IN MAINE AND 100 RECOMMENDATIONS REQUIRING BOTH LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION. THESE WERE THE BASIC FINDINGS: (1) IN FISCAL YEAR 1973-74 MAINE TAXPAYERS SPENT NEARLY $8 MILLION TO RUN THE STATE'S 5 CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS; (2) WITH 741 PEOPLE INCARCERATED, AN AVERAGE OF MORE THAN $10,500 IS SPENT ON EACH PRISONER PER YEAR; (3) 95 PERCENT OF MAINE'S FELONS CURRENTLY INCARCERATED WILL BE BACK ON THE STREETS WITHIN 5 YEARS; (4) AN ESTIMATED 65 TO 80 PERCENT OF THOSE FELONS RELEASED WILL RETURN TO PRISON FOR ADDITIONAL OFFENSES; AND (5) 75 PERCENT OF THOSE CURRENTLY CONFINED ARE SERVING TIME FOR NONVIOLENT OFFENSES AND POSSESS NO HISTORY OF VIOLENCE. IT IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO DIVERT FROM THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM ALL PERSONS WHOSE PROBLEMS CAN BE HANDLED MORE EFFECTIVELY AT LESS COST BY ALTERNATIVE METHODS. IN ADDITION, OFFENDERS FOR WHOM PUBLIC SAFETY DEMANDS CONFINEMENT SHOULD BE PROVIDED WITH A CONSTRUCTIVE CORRECTIONAL EXPERIENCE WHICH WILL ENHANCE THEIR CHANCES FOR SUCCESSFUL REENTRY INTO THE COMMUNITY. TO ACHIEVE THESE ENDS, THE FOLLOWING MEANS ARE SUGGESTED: DIVERT INDIVIDUALS FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AT 'EARLY WARNING' STAGES THROUGH PREVENTIVE PROGRAMS; PROVIDE A WIDER RANGE OF PRETRIAL AND POSTCONVICTION DISPOSITION AND SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES; PHASE OUT LARGE CONGREGATE INSTITUTIONS IN FAVOR OF COMMUNITY-BASED FACILITIES; ASSURE THAT REMAINING INSTITUTIONAL PROGRAMS PRESERVE HUMAN DIGNITY AND REINFORCE SOCIAL, CIVIC, AND OCCUPATIONAL SKILLS NEEDED TO COPE IN THE COMMUNITY; AND DISCOURAGE OFFENDER'S RETURN TO PRISON THROUGH POSTRELEASE SERVICES, VOLUNTARY SELF-HELP PROGRAMS, AND GREATER COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE EX-OFFENDER'S REINTEGRATION PROGRAM. FURTHER DETAILS ARE OFFERED FOR IMPLEMENTING BASIC RECOMMENDATIONS. (RCB)