NCJ Number
58470
Date Published
1977
Length
11 pages
Annotation
A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE HISTORY OF OFFENDER CLASSIFICATION PRACTICES IN THE UNITED STATE LEADS INTO A DISCUSSION OF CURRENT PRACTICES AND OBJECTIVES. THIS 1977 ARTICLE CONCLUDES WITH A LOOK AT POSSIBLE FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS.
Abstract
IN THE NEXT DECADE, THE ROLE OF OFFENDER CLASSIFICATION IN THE CORRECTIONAL PROCESS MUST BE EXPANDED IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF ADMINISTRATORS AS WELL AS OFFENDERS. IN THIS WAY, IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO MAKE MORE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE USE OF RESOURCES WHILE PROVIDING INCREASED LEVELS OF PERSONAL SAFETY AND AN EXPANDED OFFENDER DATA BASE FROM WHICH APPROPRIATE DECISIONS CAN BE MADE. THESE CHANGES WILL BUILD ON THE EXPERIENCE WHICH HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED SINCE CLASSIFICATION WAS FIRST USED IN THE UNITED STATES IN 1790. SUCH CHANGES WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEMS CREATED BY THE CURRENT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM WHICH CENTER AROUND THE NEEDS OF OFFENDERS BY ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF ADMINISTRATORS. THE NEED TO DEVELOP A BETTER CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM HAS BEEN HEIGHTENED BY THE INCREASED INVOLVEMENT OF THE COURTS IN THIS PROCESS, SUCH AS THE COURT DECISION IN ALABAMA REQUIRING THAT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA RECLASSIFY ALL INMATES. FUTURE REFORMS WILL HAVE TO DEVELOP MORE OBJECTIVE CRITERIA FOR MAKING INSTITUTIONAL AND PROGRAM ASSIGNMENTS, PROVIDE MORE ACCURATE COMMUNITY INFORMATION, REDUCE THE TIME AND MANPOWER NEEDED TO MAKE CLASSIFICATION DECISIONS, AND MAKE GREATER USE OF THE COMPUTER. AN EXAMPLE OF SUCH AN APPROACH TO OFFENDER CLASSIFICATION HAS BEEN DEVELOPED AND IS CURRENTLY BEING USED BY THE KENTUCKY CORRECTION'S DEPARTMENT. A SIMILAR PLAN, WITH THE ADDITIONAL FEATURE OF AN INCARCERATION PLAN OUTLINING THE PROGRESS OF OFFENDERS THROUGH THE SYSTEM, IS BEING DEVELOPED IN OKLAHOMA. NO REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (KCP)