NCJ Number
11603
Date Published
1971
Length
284 pages
Annotation
COLLECTION OF ARTICLES PRESENTING IDEAS ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM AS A SOCIAL PROBLEM AND A TARGET OF SOCIAL REFORM.
Abstract
TWO ARTICLES, ONE BY AN EX-PRISONER AND THE SECOND BY A PROFESSOR PERMITTED TO OBSERVE AN INSTITUTION, CITE THE PENAL SYSTEM AS CRIMINAL AND DEHUMANIZING. A THIRD AUTHOR RELATES PRISONS TO OTHER TOTAL INSTITUTIONS. THE ASSESSMENT BY LAW OF MENTAL DISTURBANCE IN THE COMMISSION OF CRIMINAL OFFENSES AND ITS RELATION TO THE ABOLITION OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IS THE TOPIC OF THE FOURTH ARTICLE. IN THE FIFTH ARTICLE A PROFESSOR OF LAW DISCUSSES THE CONTROL OF ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR THROUGH PUNISHMENT AND THE TYPES OF HUMAN CONDUCT WHICH SHOULD BE PUNISHED. EXCERPTS FROM A STUDY ON PRISONERS' REACTIONS TO PSYCHEDELIC DRUGS SUCH AS PSILOCYBIN ARE PRESENTED. THE FOLLOWING TWO ARTICLES NOTE THE FAILURE OF PRISONS TO REHABILITATE AND ARGUE THE MORAL JUSTIFICATION OF PUNISHMENT, QUESTIONING A WHOLLY THERAPEUTIC APPROACH TO VIOLATORS. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE AN HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF PENAL REFORM IN AMERICA AND A CRITICISM OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN ENGLAND.