NCJ Number
70965
Date Published
Unknown
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The activities and interests of the Howard League in the area of penal reform are described.
Abstract
The league is a voluntary, nonprofit association of private citizens which studies the penal system and proposes improvements. A major concern of the league is the effectiveness of penal systems, and information on both the negative and the beneficial aspects of punishments is collected and studied. Since the league believes that the law enforcement system should be cost effective, it encourages the study of costs, with particular emphasis on the expense of building and running prisons. Where prisons are overcrowded, the authorities are urged to consider reducing the average length of sentences with noninstitutional measures. In the noninstitutional field, the league supports teaching offenders social and vocational skills and allowing offenders to make restitution for their crimes by paying the victim or the community. Another major concern is the correctness of particular punishments. The league is opposed to corporal and capital punishment and to solitary confinement, and it supports punishments that are proportionate to offenses. Also, offenders' human rights and conditions of confinement receive attention. Other concerns include State and community victim assistance programs, crime prevention, community support for the law enforcement system, and the successful reintegration of former offenders into the community. A list of Howard League publications and a membership application form are included.