REVOLUTIONARY TARGET - THE AMERICAN PENAL SYSTEM - REPORT BY THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON INTERNAL SECURITY

• NCJ Number: 13472
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 199 pages
• Corporate Author: US Congress
• Sale Source: Superintendent of Documents, GPO
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

EXAMINATION OF ALLEGATIONS THAT REVOLUTIONARY MARXIST RGOUPS WERE EXPLOITING THE ISSUE OF PRISON REFORM AND HAD BECOME A SOURCE OF SOME OF THE NATION'S PRISON UNREST.

Abstract

THE INVESTIGATION CONCENTRATED ON THE PENAL SYSTEMS IN NEW YORK, OHIO AND CALIFORNIA. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS REPORT INCLUDE A DISCUSSION OF THE REVOLUTIONARY MARXIST PROPAGANDA DIRECTED AT INMATES, THE REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE ADMISSION OF PUBLICATIONS INTO THE PRISON SYSTEM, AND DESCRIPTIONS OF ORGANIZED INMATE GROUPS AND OUTSIDE ORGANIZERS. COURT DECISIONS AFFECTING MAIL AND VISITATION RIGHTS ARE SUMMARIZED. THE COMMITTEE CONCLUDED THAT ALTHOUGH THE PROPORTION OF THE INMATE POPULATION ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY REVOLUTIONARY ACTIVITY IS SMALL, AND INORDINATE AMOUNT TIME IS SPENT HANDLING PROBLEMS CREATED BY THIS MINORITY. THE COMMITTEE COULD NOT MEASURE THE DEGREE TO WHICH REVOLUTIONARY EFFORTS CONTRIBUTED TO INMATE UNREST AND RIOTING. SINCE RECEIPT OF REVOLUTIONARY LITERATURE BY INMATES COULD NOT BE PROHIBITED UNDER EXISTING COURT DECISIONS, IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS SHOULD BE EDUCATED ON THE NATURE OF REVOLUTIONARY GROUPS, THEIR LEADERS AND ANY ACTIVITIES WHICH MIGHT AFFECT THE OFFICERS' ABILITY TO MAINTAIN A SAFE INSTITUTION. AN INDEX IS PROVIDED.