NCJ Number
42744
Journal
American Bar Association Journal Volume: 63 Dated: (JULY 1977) Pages: 973-976
Date Published
1977
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE MANIFEST PURPOSE OF PAROLE IS TO MAKE RELEASE AND REVOCATION DECISIONS CONSISTENT WITH THE GOAL OF REHABILITATION.
Abstract
A STUDY OF 176 CONNECTICUT PAROLE HEARINGS CONDUCTED IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH 1975 SHOWS THAT PAROLE DOES NOT INVOLVE THIS TYPE OF CLINICAL ASSESSMENT, SO IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE LATENT FUNCTION OF PAROLE BE EXPLORED. THAT FUNCTION IS TO ALLOW FOR THE REDUCTION OF THE ACTUAL TIME SERVED IN PRISON THROUGH THE USE OF THE ACTUAL TIME SERVED IN PRISON THROUGH THE USE OF THE RHETORIC OF REHABILITATION. SINCE THERE IS LITTLE DIFFERENTIATION AMONG OFFENDERS, THE EFFECT OF GOOD TIME AND RELEASE ON PAROLE IS TO REDUCE ALL SENTENCES. A COMPARISON OF SENTENCES GIVEN WITH ACTUAL TIME SERVED PROVIDES ALMOST A 'TEXTBOOK' EXAMPLE OF LINEARITY. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE PRIMARY CONCERNS OF BOTH THE COURTS AND THE PAROLE BOARD ARE DIRECTED AT KEEPING THE SYSTEM GOING. THE DOMINANCE OF REHABILITATION AND THE MEANS OF ACHIEVING IT HAS RESULTED IN PRACTICES THAT HELPED TO ACHIEVE THE ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS OF THE SYSTEM AND THE PERSONAL NEEDS OF THE DECISION MAKERS. DISILLUSIONMENT WITH REHABILITATION HAS NOW CAUSED A RETHINKING OF THE PURPOSES OF THE CRIMINAL SANCTION AND THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURES DESIGNED TO REALIZE REHABILITATION. AFTER DECADES OF NEGLECT, DETERRENCE AND PUNISHMENT HAVE BEEN SUGGESTED AS MORE APPROPRIATE FOR THE ACHIEVEMENT OF JUSTICE. TO IMPLEMENT THESE GOALS, REFORM EFFORTS ARE BEING FOCUSED ON THE REINSTITUTION OF FLAT SENTENCES, THE PROVISION OF TREATMENT SERVICES ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS, AND THE ABOLITION OF PAROLE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT) ..ELW