NCJ Number
42221
Date Published
1972
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THIS PAPER PRESENTS THE AUTHOR'S VIEW AS TO WHY THE PRISON SYSTEM HAS FAILED AND APPEALS FOR MORE COOPERATION BETWEEN ADMINISTRATORS AND RESEARCH SCIENTISTS IN APPLYING KNOWLEDGE TO ACCOMPLISH REFORM.
Abstract
IT IS THE AUTHOR'S OPINION THAT PRISONS CAN BE REALISTICALLY EXPECTED TO PROVIDE HUMANE CARE, PRODUCTIVE EMPLOYMENT, AND EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING IN A SECURE ENVIRONMENT FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO POSE A SERIOUS THREAT TO THE SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY. HE CONSIDERS THAT PRISONS CANNOT BE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE PRIMARILY SOCIAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, MEDICAL, OR MORAL DEVIANTS. HE ARGUES, TOO, THAT INMATES SHOULD BE PERMITTED TO PERFORM MEANINGFUL WORK FOR COMPETITIVE WAGES, FROM WHICH THEY SHOULD PAY TAXES. HE RECOMMENDS THAT TOP PRIORITY SHOULD BE GIVEN TO APPLYING EXISTING KNOWLEDGE, METHODS, AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: BASIC MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TECHNIQUES FOR PRISON ADMINISTRATION; DEVELOPMENT OF A PRISON ENVIRONMENT, POLICIES, AND PRACTICES WHICH COMBAT RATHER THAN REINFORCE CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR; DEVELOPMENT OF AN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM WHICH WILL MOBILIZE SUPPORT FOR CONSTRUCTIVE PRISON REFORM AMONG PRISON EMPLOYEES, LEGISLATORS, THE PRIVATE SECTOR, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC; AND CHANGES IN ARCHAIC AND PUNITIVE CRIMINAL CODES....RCB