NCJ Number
48458
Date Published
1976
Length
46 pages
Annotation
TO EXAMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF AN ALTERNATIVE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM UTILIZING PRIVATE AGENCIES AND VOLUNTEERS IN OREGON, A SERIES OF SURVEYS WERE UNDERTAKEN.
Abstract
OVERCROWDING OF PRISONS EMPHASIZES THE NEED FOR SUCH AN ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM TO SUPPLEMENT STATE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS. A SERIES OF GRAPHICS ARE PRESENTED WHICH OUTLINE A POTENTIAL FORM FOR SUCH AN ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM. SUCH A SYSTEM MIGHT INVOLVE THE DELIVERY OF JUDICIAL, INFORMATION, ENFORCEMENT, AND CORRECTIONAL/PAROLE SERVICES BY THE PUBLIC SECTOR; COUPLED WITH THE DELIVERY OF JOB SUCCESS, COMPENSATORY EDUCATIONAL, AND NEIGHBORHOOD TREATMENT SERVICES BY THE PRIVATE AND VOLUNTEER SECTOR. A SYSTEMS PLANNING STRATEGY AND TIMETABLE IS PRESENTED WHICH OUTLINES DEVELOPMENT OF STATE AND PRIVATE DELIVERY SYSTEMS, MANPOWER MOBILIZATION, AND REGIONALIZATION OF CORRECTIONS AUTHORITY. A PROPOSED PROGRAM FLOW CHART IS ALSO PROVIDED. A PUBLIC ATTITUDE SURVEY CONSISTING OF 1,417 QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES (QUESTIONNAIRE NOT INCLUDED) FROM CHURCH CONGREGATIONS, NEIGHBORHOOD, STUDENTS, AND A COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER INDICATED SUBSTANTIAL PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR AN ALTERNATIVE COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM. THE EXCEPTION TO THIS WAS THE NEWSPAPER WHICH INDICATED OPPOSITION TO SUCH A SYSTEM. ROUGHLY ONE-THIRD OF THE RESPONDENTS (77 PERCENT OF THE STUDENTS) INDICATED THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO VOLUNTEER ON A ONE-TO-ONE BASIS IN OFFENDER PROGRAMS. EVEN MORE POSITIVE RESPONSE TO THE PROPOSED SYSTEM AND THE PERFORMANCE OF VOLUNTEER WORK WAS SHOWN BY 91 RESPONDENTS CURRENTLY WORKING IN A VOLUNTEER CORRECTIONAL PROGRAM. INMATES WITH EXPERIENCE IN ONE-TO-ONE VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS INDICATED OVERWHELMINGLY (91 PERCENT) THAT THE EXPERIENCE HAD BEEN POSITIVE FOR THEM. A SURVEY OF ATTITUDES OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY LEADERS AND OF UNION LEADERS INDICATES STRONG INTEREST AND GENERALLY POSITIVE ATTITUDES TOWARD THE PROPOSED PLAN. EXISTING ORGANIZATIONS NOW OFFERING PROGRAMS FOR INMATES IN SPONSORSHIP, EMPLOYMENT, RESIDENTIAL, AND SOCIAL SERVICE AREAS SHOWED A MARKED INTEREST IN CONTRACTING SHOULD AN ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM BE DEVELOPED. PUBLIC SERVICE PROVIDERS CONCURRED WITH THE NEED TO DEVELOP GREATER COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO MEET CORRECTIONAL NEEDS. LEGAL FACTORS AND COST OF SUCH A SYSTEM ARE UNDER CONSIDERATION. FINDINGS (IN GRAPHIC, TABULAR AND NARRATIVE FORM) DEMONSTRATE MORE THAN ADEQUATE SUPPORT FOR THE ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM CONCEPT AMONG CONCERNED AGENCIES AND INDIVIDUALS, AND A SUFFICIENT VOLUNTEER FORCE TO PERMIT IMPLEMENTATION. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY EXISTS IN OREGON TO DEVELOP SUCH A SYSTEM. DEVELOPMENT OF AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN IS RECOMMENDED. (JAP)