NCJ Number
48562
Journal
OFFENDER REHABILITATION Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: (SPRING 1978) Pages: 275-278
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
TO ELUCIDATE THE ECONOMIC BASIS OF MODERN PAROLE PRACTICES, THE HISTORICAL AND STRUCTURAL CONTEXT FROM WHICH PAROLE DEVELOPED IN AMERICA IS BRIEFLY REVIEWED.
Abstract
FOR ABOUT 100 YEARS FOLLOWING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PRISONS, THEIR MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY WAS THE SAFEKEEPING OF PRISONERS WHILE REMAINING SELF-SUPPORTING INSTITUTIONS. THE USE OF CONVICT LABOR MADE PRISONS NOT ONLY SELF-SUPPORTING, BUT PROFITMAKING THROUGH THE 19TH AND WELL INTO THE 20TH CENTURY. HOWEVER, IN THE LATTER PART OF THE 19TH CENTURY, INVESTIGATIONS INTO CONTRACT AND LEASE SYSTEMS IN SEVERAL STATES, AND ATTACKS BY LABOR AND INDUSTRY, EVENTUALLY LED TO THE PASSAGE OF LAWS WHICH LIMITED PRISON INDUSTRIES AND RESTRICTED SALES OF PRISON-PRODUCED GOODS. OPPOSITION TO INMATE LABOR WAS ENHANCED BY THE DEPRESSION. THROUGHOUT THE HISTORY OF PRISONS, OVERCROWDING HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM. INITIALLY, INDEFINITE FURLOUGHS AND CONDITIONAL PARDONS WERE USED TO REDUCE OVERCROWDING. PRISONER UNREST IN THE 1920'S LED TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF MORE SECURE FACILITIES AT GREATER CONSTRUCTION COST. THE CONTINUING INCREASE IN THE PRISON POPULATION UP TO WORLD WAR II, COUPLED WITH THE LOSS OF PRISON INDUSTRY INCOME AND HIGH CONSTRUCTION COSTS, LED TO THE USE OF PAROLE, WHICH HAD BEEN PRIMARILY USED AS MEANS OF INMATE DISCIPLINE AND AS A VEHICLE FOR REDUCING COSTS. NOW THAT UNPRECEDENTED INCREASES ARE AGAIN BEING SEEN IN THE PRISON POPULATION, COSTS HAVE AGAIN BECOME AN OVERRIDING CONCERN. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (JAP)