PENITENTIARY REFORM IN ALGERIA

• NCJ Number: 51463
• Journal: REVUE JURIDIQUE ET POLITIQUE Issue: 28 Dated: (JULY-SEPTEMBER 1974) Pages: 441-462
• Author(s): A LOURDJANE
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 21 pages
• Corporate Author: Ediafric - la Documentation Africaine
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: French
• Country: France

Annotation

REFORM OF THE ALGERIAN PRISON SYSTEM AND EFFORTS TO REHABILITATE OFFENDERS ARE ASSESSED.

Abstract

THE 1972 CODE FOR PENITENTIARY REFORM STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF PRISONER REEDUCATION AND THE INDIVIDUALIZATION OF PENALTIES AND TREATMENT. ACCORDING TO THE CODE, PRISON FACILITIES MUST INCLUDE INSTITUTIONS FOR PREVENTION, REEDUCATION, READJUSTMENT, AND FOR CORRECTION OF DANGEROUS PRISONERS, AS WELL AS SPECIAL INSTITUTIONS FOR WOMEN AND JUVENILES. SUBSTITUTION OF OTHER PENALTIES FOR SHORT PRISON TERMS AND EMPLOYMENT OF SPECIALLY TRAINED, EXPERIENCED MANAGEMENT AND SURVEILLANCE PERSONNEL CAPABLE OF ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT IN REHABILITATIVE TASKS ARE RECOMMENDED. TREATMENT PERSONNEL MUST MAINTAIN DISCIPLINE AND SECURITY. CHANNELS FOR PRISONER COMPLAINTS AND CONDITIONS FOR FAMILY VISITS AS WELL AS OUTSIDE COMMUNICATIONS ARE DEFINED. THE IMPORTANCE OF PRISONER HYGIENE, NUTRITION, WORK FOR BOTH CORRECTION AND SOCIALIZATION, LEISURE TIME TO LISTEN TO THE RADIO AND TO READ, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR RELIGIOUS GROWTH IS STRESSED. FOR REEDUCATIONAL PURPOSES, A PSYCHOLOGIST AND A PEDAGOGUE MUST EVALUATE INDIVIDUAL PRISONERS AND PRISON PROGRAMS; EDUCATION INVOLVES BOTH BASIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY REMEDIAL INSTRUCTION AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING. PROGRESSIVE INSTITUTIONS TO BE PROVIDED FOR GRADUAL ADAPTATION OF PRISONERS TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD ARE SUPERVISED WORK CAMPS OUTSIDE THE PRISON, DETENTION IN OPEN ESTABLISHMENTS, (I.E., AGRICULTURAL CENTERS OR INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISES), FOR FIRST-TIME OFFENDERS OR MINORS WHO HAVE SERVED MOST OF THEIR TERMS, AND WORK RELEASE PROGRAMS WHICH ALLOW CERTAIN LOW-RISK PRISONERS TO PURSUE PROFESSIONAL TRAINING. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE REFORM HAS PROVEN INCOMPLETE BECAUSE THE CODE FAILS TO PROVIDE FOR PROBATION ALTERNATIVES, POSTRELEASE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, OR AID TO RELEASED PRISONERS FROM COURT COMMITTEES OF ASSISTANCE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. --IN FRENCH. (KMD)