ROLE OF CORRECTIONS AND PAROLE (FROM LEGISLATIVE ISSUES IN CRIME CONTROL, 1978, BY ELINID APOSTOLIK ET AL - SEE NCJ-54650)

• NCJ Number: 54655
• Author(s): N A CARLSON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: University of Georgia
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

CORRECTIONAL PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT AND ITS ROLE IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE EXAMINED, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON THE CORRECTIONS PROCESS AND PAROLE.

Abstract

INNOVATIONS SUCH AS PROBATION, PAROLE, INDETERMINATE SENTENCES, VOCATIONAL INSTRUCTION, AND OTHER PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED TO IMPROVE THE REHABILITATION OF CRIMINAL OFFENDERS AFTER THEIR RELEASE FROM PRISON. SOME PEOPLE VIEW REHABILITATION AS THE PRIMARY REASON FOR INCARCERATING OFFENDERS. PSYCHIATRISTS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, CASE WORKERS, AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS HAVE COME INTO THE PRISON SYSTEM FOR THE PURPOSE OF REHABILITATION. WHILE THEY CAN HELP TO TREAT PHYSICAL DISEASES AND MENTAL ILLNESSES, THEY CANNOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM OF CRIME. PRISONS NEED TO HELP OFFENDERS HELP THEMSELVES. ONCE OFFENDERS MAKE THE DECISION TO CHANGE, OPPORTUNITIES SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO FACILITATE CHANGE THROUGH REHABILITATION. SINCE MOST PRISON INMATES ARE POOR AND UNDEREDUCATED, CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS NEED TO OFFER A WIDE RANGE OF PROGRAMS THAT ENCOMPASS EDUCATION, TRAINING, COUNSELING, AND WORK EXPERIENCE. THESE PROGRAMS WILL NOT BE EFFECTIVE, HOWEVER, IF OVERCROWDING CONTINUES IN STATE AND FEDERAL PRISONS. PROGRAMS OUTSIDE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS PROGRAMS WITHIN. ONE PROGRAM IN GEORGIA, KNOWN AS OPERATION PERFORMANCE, CALLS FOR COMMUNITY DIAGNOSTIC CENTERS, LESS DISCREPANCY IN SENTENCING FOR OFFENDERS CONVICTED OF THE SAME CRIMES, A JUDICIAL REVIEW PANEL FOR SENTENCES, EXPANDED PROBATION, AND THE CREATION OF ADJUSTMENT OR RESTITUTION CENTERS. THIS TYPE OF PROGRAM AND COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS SUCH AS PROBATION, PAROLE, AND HALFWAY HOUSES CAN MINIMIZE OVERCROWDING IN PRISONS AS LONG AS COMPETENT PERSONNEL ARE AVAILABLE TO IMPLEMENT THEM. LINE OFFICERS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT STAFF IN CORRECTIONAL FACILITY MANAGEMENT, IN TERMS OF BOTH PROGRAMS AND SECURITY. THE TRAINING OF CORRECTIONAL PERSONNEL IS DISCUSSED, AND ACTIVITIES INITIATED BY THE AMERICAN CORRECTIONAL ASSOCIATION TO DEVELOP REASONABLE STANDARDS FOR EVERY ASPECT OF THE CORRECTIONS PROCESS ARE NOTED. (DEP)