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TALE OF TWO PRISONS

NCJ Number
25299
Date Published
1974
Length
0 pages
Annotation
INTERVIEWS WITH PRISON ADMINISTRATORS, GUARDS AND INMATES AT A MAXIMUM AND A MEDIUM SECURITY INSTITUTION IN NEW YORK STATE REVEAL DISPARATE ATTITUDES AND OPINIONS ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INMATE REHABILITATION PROGRAMS.
Abstract
THE FILM REVEALS THAT BOTH PRISONS HAVE THE SAME INMATE TO SECURITY PERSONNEL RATIO, DESPITE THE DIFFERENT SECURITY CLASSIFICATIONS. SIX TIMES MORE MONEY IS SPENT ON SECURITY THAN REHABILITATION PROGRAMS. THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT PRISON SHOPS FOR THE MOST PART USE OBSOLETE EQUIPMENT OR TEACH VALUELESS SKILLS. IN GENERAL, PRISON ADMINISTRATORS FEEL THAT THEY ARE PROVIDING USEFUL SERVICES; GUARDS FEEL THAT PRISONERS WANT TOO MUCH; AND, INMATES FEEL THAT THEY ARE NOT GETTING THE NECESSARY SKILLS TO 'MAKE IT' UPON RELEASE AND THAT THEY ARE JUST MARKING TIME.