NCJ Number
40794
Date Published
1977
Length
299 pages
Annotation
A HISTORICAL EXAMINATION OF THE TOTAL ORGANIZATION OF THE STATEVILLE MAXIMUM SECURITY PENITENTIARY IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR PRESENTS AN OVERVIEW OF THE VARIOUS PHASES OF THE INSTITUTIONAL LIFE OF THE PRISON DURING A HALF-CENTURY, ALONG WITH AN ACCOUNT OF ITS ADMINISTRATORS, GUARDS, PRISONERS, AND SPECAL INTEREST GROUPS THAT WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRISON. THE HISTORY OF THE PRISON IS TRACED FROM A PERIOD OF INSTABILITY FOLLOWING ITS CONSTRUCTION IN 1925 TO THE EMERGENCE OF A PROFESSIONAL ADMINISTRATION BETWEEN 1970 AND 1975. HIGHLIGHTED IS THE PENETRATION OF THE PRISON IN THE 1960'S AND 1970'S BY BLACK MUSLIMS, BY CHICAGO STREET GANGS, BY CIVIL LIBERTY AND LEGAL GROUPS, AS WELL AS BY EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL WELFARE AGENCIES. HOWEVER, THE AUTHOR SHOWS THAT THE BASIS OF REAL TRANSFORMATION CAME FROM THE JUDICIAL REVIEW OF PRISON ADMINISTRATION AND PRISON PROCEDURES. IN THE LATE 1960'S THE COURTS STARTED TO APPLY THEIR DEFINITION OF DUE PROCESS AND EQUAL PROTECTION TO THE LIVES OF INMATES. THIS RESULTED IN THE EMERGENCE OF A NEW SET OF LEGALISTIC AND BUREAUCRATIC RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR GUIDING PRISON ADMINISTRATORS. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES WITH AN OVERVIEW OF THIS NEW REGIME AND PROJECTIONS FOR FUTURE OPERATIONS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)...KAP