NCJ Number
56258
Date Published
1978
Length
15 pages
Annotation
THE PROBLEMS OF ADEQUATE TRAINING FOR PROFESSIONAL AND PARA-PROFESSIONAL CORRECTIONAL PERSONNEL THAT WOULD INCLUDE MODERN PENAL PHILOSOPHIES ARE DISCUSSED FROM LATIN AMERICAN AND INTERNATIONAL VIEWPOINTS.
Abstract
CORRECTIONAL PERSONNEL IN ADULT CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS ARE OFTEN WOEFULLY LACKING IN ADEQUATE TRAINING TO CARRY OUT THE NEW TREATMENT-ORIENTED PENOLOGICAL POLICIES. THE PROBLEM IS NEGLECTED IN THE MAJORITY OF LATIN AMERICAN AND OTHER COUNTRIES. FINDING INTELLIGENT AND HIGHLY-MOTIVATED RECRUITS AND TRAINING THEM AS NEEDED IS DIFFICULT, BECAUSE OF THE UNFAVORABLE CONDITIONS PREVALENT IN THE MAJORITY OF CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS (I.E., OVERCROWDING OF INMATES, UNDERSTAFFING WITH ATTENDANT WORK OVERLOAD, LACK OF TIME AND FUNDS, ADMINISTRATIVE RELUCTANCE TO EVEN CONSIDER THE PROBLEM, AND PUBLIC APATHY AND INSENSITIVITY TO THE EFFORTS OF THOSE WHO ARE TRYING TO PROMOTE CHANGES. THE PROBLEM IS FURTHER COMPOUNDED BY THE INABILITY OF CORRECTIONAL OFFICIALS AND WORKERS TO PERCEIVE THEMSELVES (AND CONSEQUENTLY TO BE PERCEIVED BY THE COMMUNITY) AS MEMBERS OF A TRUE PROFESSION REQUIRING SPECIALIZED, OFTEN ADVANCED, EDUCATION AND SKILLS, AND HAVING ITS OWN CODE OF ETHICS. ADDITIONAL INCENTIVES ARE NEEDED TO ATTRACT THE BEST PEOPLE, CAPABLE OF ABSORBING THE REQUIRED TRAINING, INTO WORK THAT APPEARS TO OFFER ONLY HARSH CONDITIONS, LONG HOURS, LOW PAY, ISOLATION, AND A BLEAK ENVIRONMENT, NOW EVEN DEVOID OF THE FEELING OF POWER AND AUTHORITY FORMERLY ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR ROLE AS COMMUNITY PROTECTORS. PUBLIC RELATIONS EFFORTS AIMED AT RE-ENHANCING THE IMAGE OF CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND PERSONNEL ARE NEEDED, IN ADDITION TO BETTER PAY, ASSURED UPWARD MOBILITY IN THE PROFESSION, AND RESTORATION OF CONTACTS WITH THE COMMUNITY BOTH FOR STAFF AND INMATES-THE LATTER WITH A VIEW TO THEIR EVENTUAL SOCIAL REINTEGRATION. --IN SPANISH. (LGR)