PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS FOR CORRECTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES - AN OVERVIEW (FROM UNAFEI - REPORT FOR 1976 AND RESOURCE MATERIAL SERIES NO 13, 1977 - SEE NCJ-43800)

• NCJ Number: 43804
• Author(s): A ELIAS
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United Nations

Annotation

MAJOR PROBLEMS FACING CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROBATION, PAROLE, AND INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES IN THE UNITED STATES ARE REVIEWED, AND APPROACHES TO SOLVING THE PROBLEMS ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

THE MAJOR PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED ARE THE GROWING PRISON POPULATION, THE BUDGETARY LIMITATIONS IMPOSED ON CORRECTIONAL AGENCIES, CRITICISM REGARDING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS, AND THE EMERGENCE OF LABOR UNIONS AMONG CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS AND PROBATION AND PAROLE AGENTS. AMONG THE RESPONSES TO THESE AND OTHER PROBLEMS ARE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS AND PROBATION AND PAROLE SERVICES (E.G., FURLOUGH AND WORK RELEASE PROGRAMS FOR INMATES AND HALF-WAY HOUSES FOR PAROLEES); FEDERAL FUNDING OF PROJECTS AIMED AT IMPROVING CORRECTIONS AND OTHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS; GROWING INTEREST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CORRECTIONAL MASTER PLANS; AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE CONCEPT OF ACCREDITATION FOR CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS. THE ESTABLISHMENT IN 1974 OF THE COMMISSION FOR ACCREDITATION FOR CORRECTIONS OF THE AMERICAN CORRECTIONAL ASSOCIATION IS NOTED, AND THE MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMISSION ARE DESCRIBED. THE COMMISSION'S METHOD FOR DEVELOPING STANDARDS IS OUTLINED, AS ARE THE FIVE MAJOR STAGES IN THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS. THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE COMMISSION'S STANDARDS WILL PROVE IMPLEMENTABLE IS ADDRESSED. THE NEED FOR LEGISLATORS, OTHER PUBLIC OFFICIALS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND AN INFORMED PUBLIC TO COOPERATE WITH CORRECTIONS ADMINISTRATORS IS NOTED.