NCJ Number
32385
Journal
Criminal Law Bulletin Volume: 11 Issue: 3 Dated: (MAY-JUNE 1975) Pages: 273-303
Date Published
1975
Length
31 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE SUMMARIZES A LONGER REPORT ENTITLED 'PRISON WITHOUT WALLS: REPORT ON NEW YORK PAROLE' WHICH REVIEWS THE PHILOSOPHY AND OPERATIONS OF PAROLE, AND CONCLUDES THAT THE PAROLE SYSTEM SHOULD BE ABOLISHED.
Abstract
AFTER A REVIEW OF THE PHILOSOPHY OF PAROLE AND ITS THEORETICAL OPERATIONS, THE REPORT OUTLINES HOW ACTUAL PAROLE PRACTICES DIVERGE FROM THE IDEAL OPERATIONS. INCLUDED IN THIS OUTLINE ARE COMMENTS ON HOW THE PAROLE RELEASE DECISION IS ACTUALLY REACHED, ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PAROLE RELEASE DECISIONS, AND ON THE EFFECT OF PAROLE ON THE RELEASED INMATE. THE INVALIDITY OF THE THEORY OF PAROLE ITSELF IS THEN DEMONSTRATED, AND LONG TERM AND TRANSITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE. THE REPORT FOUND, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT PAROLE IS OFTEN UNNECESSARILY ABUSIVE AND UNFAIR, AND THAT THE DISCRETION IN PAROLE RELEASE DECISIONS IS EXCESSIVE. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT PAROLE BE ABOLISHED, THAT SENTENCES SHOULD BE SHORTER AND HAVE A NARROWER RANGE OF INDETERMINACY, THAT ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION SHOULD BE DEVELOPED, AND THAT POST-RELEASE SERVICES TO EX-OFFENDERS SHOULD BE IMPROVED. FOR COMMENTARIES ON THIS REPORT, SEE NCJ-32386.