Superior Council for Penitentiary Administration - Execution of Penalties

• NCJ Number: 73963
• Journal: Revue de science criminelle et de droit penal compare Issue: 1 Dated: (January - March 1980) Pages: 167-188
• Author(s): C Dablanc
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 22 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: French
• Country: France
• Note: Text is excerpted from the General Report presented on December 14, 1979, by the author at the annual meeting of the Superior Council of Penitentiary Administration.

Annotation

Steps taken to reorganize penitentiary administration and the current situation of the French corrections systems are outlined.

Abstract

The most important changes of the reorganization are the creation of the Section for Social Reintegration and substitution of a Division for the Execution of Penalties for a Section for the Execution of Penalties. Reorganization goals are the improved efficiency of widely dispersed social reintegration efforts and assured facility security. Since 1974 the number of individuals in detention has been rising and both sentences and time served have become longer. Assignment of prisoners in corrections establishments proceeds on the basis of orientation dossiers, and efforts are made to classify prisoners by personality needs and reintegration potential. Interior security of prison facilities is improved by such measures as adoption of specialized structures and special staff training. Outside security involves alarm systems and direct telephone connections with police. The priority assigned to social reintegration work is evidenced by the creation of a special Office for Work and Professional Training in the reintegration section. Work programs and outside work camps are to extend community employment opportunities. Efforts are being made to provide general and professional education, social educative activities, and health services for inmates. To advance successful social reintegration, individual measures such as furloughs, reduced sentences for good behavior, suspended or divised penalties, and partial release may be applied. While the use of penalties other than imprisonment, (i.e., various forms of probation), tripled from 1971 to 1978, the increase in the use of such penalties has slowed since then. To provide support for the probation system, the corrections administration has begun publishing a circular for probation directors, initiated volunteer services, and sought funding for new personnel, resources and expanded programs. Tables are supplied.