NCJ Number
62278
Editor(s)
M E WOLFGANG
Date Published
1979
Length
252 pages
Annotation
INNOVATION MODELS OF PRISON REFORM, BASED ON THE PREMISE THAT THE GREATEST GOOD IS SERVED BY INCARCERATING THE SMALLEST NUMBER OF PRISONERS, ARE EXAMINED.
Abstract
THE UNITED STATES PENAL SYSTEM FAILS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC, WHICH BEARS THE COSTS OF BOTH CRIME AND PUNISHMENT. WHILE PUBLIC ATTENTION TO THE RIGHTS AND WELFARE OF PRISONERS IS INCREASING, THE GROWING RECIDIVISM RATE DEMONSTRATES THE FAILURE OF PRISONS TO REHABILITATE. FUTURE SOLUTIONS WILL COME ONLY BY INVESTIGATING NEW DIRECTIONS FOR REFORM. IN THIS ANTHOLOGY OF PAPERS BY PROMINENT CRIMINOLOGISTS, ONE STUDY CONCLUDES THAT DETERRENCE SHOULD BE EMPHASIZED STRONGLY, BUT ANOTHER SUGGESTS THAT MEANS OF REDUCING INCAPACITATION COSTS SHOULD RECOGNIZE THE COMMUNITY'S CHANGING NEEDS AND VALUES. THE SWEDISH PENAL SYSTEM, WHICH DOWNPLAYS THE ISOLATION OF OFFENDERS, IS PRESENTED AS AN ALTERNATE PENAL METHOD, AS WELL AS A PROPOSAL INMATE SELF-GOVERNMENT TO TEACH COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY. THE FINAL ARTICLE CRITIQUES, THE PRECEDING IDEAS, AND COMMENTS ON EACH. ALL THE ARTICLES AGREE THAT SOMETHING DRASTIC NEEDS TO BE DONE TO AMELIORATE U.S. PRISON CONDITIONS. BY DEPRIVING INMATES OF A POSITIVE IMPETUS TOWARD GOODNESS, IMPRISONMENT FAILS TO REHABILITATE PRISONERS FOR LIFE OUTSIDE PRISON. TABLES, FIGURES, FOOT NOTES, AND AN INDEX ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED --PRG)