PRISON AND COMMUNITY - THE PROBLEMS OF PRISON REFORM IN ITALY, 2D ED., 1976

• NCJ Number: 43936
• Author(s): G GREGANTI
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 194 pages
• Country: Italy

Annotation

THE INHERENT CONNECTIONS BETWEEN SOCIETY AND THE PENAL SYSTEM ARE EXAMINED, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR COLLABORATION IS STRESSED. FAILINGS OF THE ITALIAN PRESENTED.

Abstract

THE CONCEPT OF PRISON AS AN INSTRUMENT OF SECURITY AND PROTECTION OF SOCIETY IS EXAMINED AND CRITICIZED: CONTRADICTIONS ARISE WHEN CONSIDERING THE NECESSITY OF BOTH PROVIDING HUMANE PENITENTIARY TREATMENT AND PROTECTING THE WELFARE OF THE PUBLIC. IN ORDER TO INCREASE PUBLIC SENSIBILITY ABOUT ITS OWN SERIOUS ROLE IN THE PRISON PROCESS, THE AUTHOR PROVIDES AN OVERVIEW OF VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE PENAL SYSTEM, INCLUDING: CANDIDATES FOR PRISON; THE PRISON 'MACHINE;' PUNISHMENT AND REEDUCATION; RELIGION IN PRISON; SEXUAL LIFE OF INMATES; METHODS OF REHABILITATION; REINTRODUCTION INTO SOCIETY AND RECIDIVISM; AND INMATE REBELLION. FOUR CONCLUSIONS ARE DRAWN: (1) PRISON DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF DELINQUENCY. (2) THE PRISONS OF TODAY DO NOT ENSURE THE SECURITY OF SOCIETY. (3) PRISONS ARE AN ENORMOUS FINANCIAL BURDEN ON SOCIETY, WITHOUT AN ADEQUATE RETURN ON THE INVESTMENT. (4) NEW SOLUTIONS ARE POSSIBLE, AMONG WHICH ARE THOSE THAT EMPHASIZE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN ALTERNATIVES TO DETENTION AND THAT ARE BEING TESTED IN MORE PROGRESSIVE COUNTRIES. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRISON REFORM IN ITALY ARE CITED FROM LAW 354 OF JULY 26, 1975, WHICH SETS REGULATIONS FOR PENITENTIARY TREATMENT AND CONTAINS PROVISIONS RELATIVE TO PENITENTIARY ORGANIZATION. ALTERNATIVES TO TRADITIONAL DETENTION FORESEEN BY LAW 354 INCLUDE 'AFFIDAMENTO IN PROVA AL SERVIZIO SOCIALE' (PROBATIONARY RELEASE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF SOCIAL SERVICES FOR A PERIOD OF TIME EQUAL TO THE AMOUNT OF SENTENCE), WORK-RELEASE PROGRAMS, FURLOUGHS, AND 'GOOD TIME.' INCREASED USE OF COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS AT ALL STAGES OF THE PRISON SYSTEM IS ALSO ADVISED. APPENDIXES CONSIST OF A PAPER ON 'PERSONALITY, SOCIETY AND VIOLENCE,' A DESCRIPTION OF THE 'PRISON AND COMMUNITY' NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, A BIBLIOGRAPHY, AND SELECTED PROVISIONS FROM THE REGULATION OF OPERATIONS SECTION OF LAW 354. (FOR COMPLETE PAPER ON 'PERSONALITY, SOCIETY AND VIOLENCE,' SEE NCJ-44134). --IN ITALIAN.