MEMORANDUM ON THE 'JAIL PROBLEM' - ADVICE TO THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND ADVICE TO THE SHERIFF

• NCJ Number: 10779
• Author(s): R C CUSHMAN
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 78 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: American Justice Institute
• Sale Source: National Technical Information Service
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: SANTA CLARA CRIMINAL JUSTICE PILOT PROGRAM

Annotation

CRITIQUE OF JAIL CONSTRUCTION AND PROGRAM PLANS PROPOSED IN 1973 FOR SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA URGING ADOPTION OF A UNIFIED COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM.

Abstract

PROPOSED PLANS FOR NEW PRE-TRIAL AND PRE-SENTENCING JAILS ARE CRITICIZED FOR THE REASON THAT CURRENT JAILING PROCEDURES WERE FOUND TO HAVE NO BASIS IN ANY PARTICULAR CORRECTIONAL PHILOSOPHY. THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR OF THE SANTA CLARA CRIMINAL JUSTICE PILOT PROGRAM URGES ADOPTION OF A MORE COMPREHENSIVE, UNIFIED CORRECTIONAL POLICY, ONE WHICH CLEARLY ESTABLISHES THE INTENT OF PRE-TRIAL AND PRE-SENTENCING INCARCERATION. CENTRAL TO THIS POLICY WOULD BE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DIAGNOSTIC-CLASSIFICATION SERVICE TO ASSESS AN ARRESTEE'S NEED TO BE DETAINED AND TO HANDLE ARRANGEMENTS FOR PRE-TRIAL RELEASE PROGRAMS. FOLLOWING AN OFFENDER'S TRIAL, THE SERVICE WOULD PLAY A ROLE IN DETERMINING HIS SENTENCE BY MAKING AVAILABLE TO THE JUDGE READY ACCESS AND REFERRAL TO A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMS WHICH COULD BE USED IN ADDITION TO PROBATION SERVICES AND THE COUNTY JAIL. THE REPORT STATES THAT THESE STEPS WOULD NECESSITATE REDEFINING THE SHERIFF'S RESPONSIBILITIES.