Reducing Violence Through Management (From American Correctional Association - Proceedings, August 16-20, 1981, P 151-154, 1982, Julie N Tucker, ed. - See NCJ-85341)

• NCJ Number: 85360
• Author(s): R W Crist
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 4 pages
• Sale Source: American Correctional Association; National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Available on microfiche as NCJ-85341

Annotation

Violence in correctional institutions can be prevented or limited through staff-inmate committees, 'unitization,' treatment-management teams, and the American Correctional Association's standards for facilities.

Abstract

Staff-inmate committees are ad hoc committees formed to consider a specific issue and make recommendations to the warden for his/her consideration of that issue. Inmates selected for such committees should be intelligent, articulate, and have the respect of the inmate population. Such committees involve inmates in policy input without giving them unreasonable and ongoing power. 'Unitization' involves reducing the inmate population to small, manageable groups that can be dealt with effectively. If there are any problems, the small units can easily be isolated and controlled while the rest of the institution functions normally. Treatment-management teams go with the unitization concept. Treatment staff -- caseworkers, clinical service staff, chaplains, educators, security staff assigned to the unit -- compose the treatment-management team that runs the unit. When a staff working together knows inmates and their problems and concerns, then the chances of violent actions are reduced. The American Correctional Association's standards offer regulations for procedures in correctional institutions that both inmates and staff can live with. Violence tends to be reduced when reasonable and fair rules and regulations are enforced, including those that govern appropriate staff behavior.