NCJ Number
76438
Date Published
1980
Length
25 pages
Annotation
The administrative structure of the British prison system is examined, and the recommendations of the May Committee investigation of the system are critiqued.
Abstract
The committee recommendations that the prison system head be given additional power and that there be 'establishment' responsibility within the Prison Department are positive suggestions. The addition of two nonexecutive members to the prison board offers little hope in opening the system to public input, since the civil service has been adept in containing similar initiatives. The May Committee considered the problem of limiting industrial action among prison staff, but failed to recommended the reinstitution of the guard staff disciplinary code or to challenge staff rights to engage in strikes or industrial actions. The committee recommendations for regionalizing the prison service can only be effective if prison administrators are given additional power and the power of central organizations (the Home Office and the Prison Officer's Association) is decreased.