NCJ Number
43089
Date Published
1977
Length
15 pages
Annotation
SUGGESTIONS FOR AN EFFECTIVE BUT FAIR PRISON SYSTEM BASED ON CHANGES IN INTAKE AND RELEASE PROCEDURES, STAFF SELECTION AND TRAINING, AND SMALLER UNITS ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
THE PRISON POPULATION WILL INCREASE UNTIL WELL INTO THE 1980'S, AND THERE SEEMS TO BE LITTLE THE PRESENT SYSTEM CAN DO ABOUT OVERCROWDING, HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS FOR STAFF AND INMATES, AND THE GENERAL FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM. PRISONS CAN BE CREATED THAT ARE NOT A DISGRACE TO MINIMUM STANDARDS OF DECENCY ONLY IF THEY ARE VIEWED AS PLACES OF PUNISHMENT AND THIS IS COMMUNICATED TO THE INMATES. THE BEGINNING OF THE REFORM SYSTEM IS A CAREFUL 4-6 WEEK EVALUATION PERIOD AT TIME OF INTAKE. AN EFFECTIVE RELEASE PLAN SHOULD BE WORKED OUT BASED ON THE CRIME AND THE CRIMINAL. STAFF SELECTION AND TRAINING MUST BE IMPROVED TO ELIMINATE THE RACIAL AND CULTURAL CHASM THAT SEPARATES STAFF AND PRISONERS. IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS, STAFF COULD SERVE AS ROLE MODELS. WOMEN AND MINORITIES, ESPECIALLY, SHOULD BE RECRUITED FOR STAFF POSITIONS. LIVING UNITS NEED TO BE SMALLER AND MORE MANAGEABLE WITH SIX TO EIGHT INMATES AND TWO TO FOUR STAFF MEMBERS IN A UNIT. MEALS SHOULD BE SERVED IN THESE SMALL UNITS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISCUSSION PROVIDED. A REGULAR WORK PROGRAM NEEDS TO BE SET UP WITH THE GENERAL PATTERN OF LIFE AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO THE ORDINARY WORKING LIFE OF A CITIZEN IN THE COMMUNITY. EDUCATIONAL, VOCATIONAL, AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS SHOULD BE VOLUNTARY AND TAKE PLACE AFTER WORKING HOURS. PARADOXICAL AS IT MAY SEEM, PRISONS WILL DO A BETTER JOB WHEN THEY REALIZE THAT THEIR PRIMARY FUNCTION IS TO PUNISH AND THEY SET ABOUT TO ACCOMPLISH THIS FUNCTION AS HUMANELY AS POSSIBLE.