NCJ Number
92279
Date Published
1983
Length
38 pages
Annotation
A plan for corrections strategic planning should be based on the use of imprisonment for selected violent offenders and the development of alternative corrections programs for nonviolent offenders.
Abstract
Corrections planning should be based in incapacitation as the primary aim of incarceration. Imprisonment should be the punishment of choice, not for all offenses as it is under current practice, but for offenses involving the threat of physical violence. Plans for prison construction should mandate that new prison space be built primarily to replace existing facilities or to bring them in conformance with humane and constitutional standards. In most States, construction programs should not increase current capacity. Regarding corrections programs, it is important that administrators maintain existing services while beginning new ones that are voluntary and facilitative. Incapacitative gains can be achieved while not exceeding the desert limit if 5 years is the maximum sentence length. For offenders not considered dangerous, notably nonviolent property offenders, alternatives to full incapacitation might include limitations on the offender's leisure time, frequent-furlough jail sentences, public service sentences, restitution plans, and severe fines. Some tactical implications of the proposed strategic plan are discussed. Twenty bibliographic listings are provided.