THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY

• NCJ Number: 64152
• Journal: Crime and Delinquency Volume: 26 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1980) Pages: 83-90
• Author(s): J P CONRAD
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: National Council on Crime and Delinquency
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

SUBSTITUTES FOR IMPRISONMENT ARE A NECESSARY GOAL OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. SEVERAL FACTORS WHICH PREVENT THEIR IMPLEMENTATION ARE DISCUSSED, AND A PROPOSAL IS MADE FOR THE MOBILIZATION OF RESOURCES.

Abstract

U.S. PRISONS ARE BADLY OVERCROWDED AND CANNOT ABSORB MANY MORE INMATES. SUBSTITUTES FOR INCARCERATION, POPULAR A DECADE AGO, CAN REDUCE PRISON POPULATIONS ONLY WHEN THEY ARE FULLY INSTITUTIONALIZED. BELIEF IN SUBSTITUTES FOR IMPRISONMENT MUST BE REVIVED, AND THESE SUBSTITUTES MADE EFFECTIVE THROUGH CAREFUL PLANNING. HINDRANCES TO PRISON-SUBSTITUTE PROGRAMS INCLUDE UNCERTAIN GOALS, NOMINALISM (CASE OVERLOAD), INADEQUATE STANDARDS FOR STAFFS, AND INADEQUATE FUNDING. THERE IS CONFUSION ABOUT WHETHER CORRECTIONS SHOULD PUNISH, REHABILITATE, INTIMIDATE, OR MERELY RESTRAIN. COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS AND WORK RELEASE ARE USEFUL IN HELPING PRISONERS MAINTAIN NEEDED COMMUNITY AND FAMILY TIES WHILE SERVING THEIR SENTENCES. CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS SHOULD IMPRISON ONLY THE MOST DANGEROUS REPEAT OFFENDERS, COMMIT OTHERS TO WORK PROGRAMS, AND PROVIDE EXTENSIVE FOLLOWUP SERVICES DURING AND AFTER THE SERVING OF SENTENCES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--PAP)