THEORY AND PRACTICE IN CORRECTIONAL WORK - A REVIEW OF THE PAST DECADE

• NCJ Number: 63151
• Journal: PROBATION OFFICER Volume: 15 Issue: 2 Dated: (DECEMBER 1978) Pages: 14-18
• Author(s): D BILES
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: Probation Officers' Assoc of Victoria
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

THE DIRECTOR OF THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF CRIMINOLOGY CONTRASTS THE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS MADE IN CRIMINOLOGY THEORY AND RESEARCH WITH THE SLOW RATE OF REFORM IN PRACTICAL CORRECTIONAL WORK.

Abstract

OVER THE PAST DECADE ACADEMIC INTERESTS AND COURSES IN CRIMINOLOGY HAVE INCREASED, AND SEVERAL NATIONAL AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN FORMED TO PROMOTE RESEARCH, PUBLISH PAPERS, AND CONDUCT SEMINARS IN THE FIELD. THE CULMINATION OF SCHOLARLY PROGRESS WILL OCCUR IN 1980 WHEN THE UNITED NATIONS CONGRESS ON THE PREVENTION OF CRIME AND TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS IS HELD IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA. ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CONCURRENT ADVANCES IN CORRECTIONAL WORK, MANY PROBLEMS REMAIN. THE IMPRISONMENT RATE HAD GRADUALLY DECLINED UNTIL 1978 WHEN SHARP INCREASES OCCURRED IN VICTORIA AND THE REST OF AUSTRALIA, POSSIBLY AS A RESULT OF A BACKLASH OF PUBLIC OPINION FAVORING HARSHER PENALTIES. HOWEVER, REVIEWS OF CRIME RATES IN THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AND AUSTRALIA INDICATE THAT COMMUNITIES WITH HIGH RATES OF IMPRISONMENT HAVE HIGH RATES OF CRIME. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT IN CORRECTIONS HAS BEEN THE CREATION OF NONCUSTODIAL ALTERNATIVES TO PRISON. EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT THESE METHODS ARE AS EFFECTIVE, LESS COSTLY, AND LESS DAMAGING TO THE OFFENDERS. PRISONS SHOULD BE RESERVED FOR A SMALL NUMBER OF SERIOUS OFFENDERS. PAROLE AND PROBATION OFFICERS SHOULD ENFORCE ALL CONDITIONS OF PAROLE AND SHOULD NOT OVERLOOK MINOR INFRACTIONS IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR CLIENTS. PROBATION WORK REQUIRES SPECIAL TRAINING IN CRIMINOLOGY, LAW, AND PSYCHOLOGY AND SHOULD NOT BE REGARDED AS A TYPE OF SOCIAL WORK. ALTHOUGH THE SYSTEM OF VOLUNTEER PROBATION OFFICERS HAS WORKED WELL IN VICTORIA, MORE SUPERVISION MAY BE NECESSARY TO IMPROVE THE CREDIBILITY OF PROBATION. CRIMINAL JUSTICE OFFICIALS MUST CONTINUE TO IMPROVE CORRECTIONS, FREE FROM POLITICAL INTERFERENCE AND INFLUENCE. (MJM)