PRISON AND PRISON REFORM

• NCJ Number: 48652
• Author(s): B GAVZER
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 0 pages
• Corporate Author: Scott Education Division
• Sale Source: Correctional Service of Minnesota; Prentice Hall Media; Not Available Through National Institute of Justice/NCJRS Document Loan Program
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. 26 MINUTES, COLOR, 1974 THE KIT CONTAINS 2 83-FRAME FILMSTRIPS, AND 2 AUDIO CASSETTES

Annotation

A SURVEY OF THE AMERICAN PRISON SYSTEM, ITS PROBLEMS, AND SUGGESTIONS FOR REFORM ARE OUTLINES IN THIS FILMSTRIP AND AUDIO CASSETTE PROGRAM.

Abstract

THE FIRST PENITENTIARY WAS ESTABLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES IN 1790. PRISONS AT THAT TIME WERE INTENDED TO DETER, TO PREVENT THE CRIMINAL FROM COMMITTING OTHER CRIMES, AND TO REHABILITATE THE OFFENDER. THE GOAL OF MODERN CORRECTIONS IS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC BY LOCKING UP THE CRIMINALS AND TO REDUCE CRIME BY EDUCATING AND TRAINING THE OFFENDERS SO THEY CAN RETURN TO THE COMMUNITY WITH A SKILL. THERE ARE MAXIMUM SECURITY FACILITIES SUCH AS CALIFORNIA'S FOLSOM AND SAN QUENTIN IN CALIFORNIA, MEDIUM SECURITY PRISONS LIKE LEWISBURG (PA.), AND MINIMUM SECURITY INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS CHINO ALSO IN CALIFORNIA. THERE ARE ALSO JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITIES, WHICH ARE, IN EFFECTS, PRISONS FOR JUVENILES. ADULT PRISONS ARE DESIGNED TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT, AND USUALLY HAVE THEIR OWN POWER HOUSE, HOSPITAL, AND MAINTENANCE SHOPS. THE TYPE OF INSTITUTION AND THE AMOUNT OF FREEDOM ALLOWED INMATES VARY FROM STATE TO STATE. THERE ARE ALSO A GREAT MANY OF PROBLEMS WITH PRISONS; IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO KEEP PRISONERS INCARCERATED, AND THE REHABILITATIVE ASPECTS OF MOST PRISONS ARE NEGLIGIBLE. PUBLIC DEMAND FOR A BETTER METHOD OF PUNISHING AND REHABILITATING OFFENDERS IS PROBABLY MOST EFFECTIVE PRESSURE TO IMPROVE THE SYSTEM. IN THE 1870'S THERE WAS AN OUTCRY FOR THE ABOLITION OF PRISONS. HOWEVER THE MAIN QUESTION HAS BEEN WHAT TO DO WITH THE OFFENDERS. SOME CRIMINOLOGISTS AND SOCIOLOGISTS SUGGEST THAT THE COMMUNITY TAKE OVER THIS RESPONSIBILITY. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE ARE TO DECRIMINALIZE VICTIMLESS CRIMES; CREATE MORE WORK RELEASE, FURLOUGH, AND HALFWAY HOUSE PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS CONJUGAL VISITS, MUTUAL AGREEMENT PROGRAMS, AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. MANY REFORMISTS ARE CALLING FOR THE TOTAL ABOLITION OF PRISONS. IN RESPONSE TO THIS, THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE HAS CALLED FOR A MORATORIUM ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF ALL PRISON FACILITIES. THE QUESTION OF HOW BEST TO SOLVE THE PRISON PROBLEM IS AN ONGOING ISSUE. (BAC)