TREATMENT IN THE SEMI-OPEN ENVIRONMENT, IN OPEN ENVIRONMENT AND IN THE COMMUNITY (FROM SYSTEMS OF TREATMENT AND PERSONNEL TRAINING IN PENITENTIARIES, 1978 - SEE NCJ-56258)

• NCJ Number: 56264
• Author(s): A B MIOTTO
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 22 pages
• Corporate Author: United Nations; Imprenta Nacional
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: Spanish
• Country: Costa Rica

Annotation

CONTACTS SHOULD BE PRESERVED BETWEEN CONVICTED OFFENDERS SERVING THEIR SENTENCES AND THE COMMUNITY, BECAUSE SOLITUDE AND SEPARATION FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE FROM A REHABILITATION VIEWPOINT.

Abstract

THE CONCEPT OF 'TREATMENT,' WHICH IS OFTEN A CAMOUFLAGE FOR PUNISHMENT FOR MODERN PENOLOGISTS IN THEIR EFFORTS TO CONTROL CRIME AND PROTECT SOCIETY, IS QUESTIONABLE BECAUSE IT IMPLIES A PASSIVE SUBJECT IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT, EVEN UNDER IDEAL CONDITIONS. THE REALITIES OF MOST CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS ARE SUCH THAT, FOR LACK OF TRAINED PERSONNEL AND ADEQUATE RESOURCES, TREATMENT IS JUST A WORD. TREATMENT ALSO REQUIRES PRIOR CLASSIFICATION AND PSYCHIATRIC AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF INMATES FOR THE AVOWED PURPOSE OF FINDING THE PHYSICAL OR MENTAL 'ABNORMALITY' THAT CAUSED THEIR CRIMES, A DEHUMANIZING PROCESS IN MOST CASES. THE CONCEPT OF TREATMENT IS UNREALISTIC, BECAUSE ITS GOAL IS PERFECT NORMALIZATION AND SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT, A MYTHICAL EXPECTATION FOR ALL HUMAN BEINGS; IT ALSO SUBORDINATES INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND INTRINSIC WORTH TO THE RIGHTS OF A STATE OR COLLECTIVITY TO DEMAND 'USEFULNESS' FROM ALL ITS MEMBERS. OFFENDERS SENTENCED TO LESS THAN 8 YEARS SHOULD BE HOUSED IN SEMI-OPEN, OPEN, OR COMMUNITY-BASED FACILITIES, AND ENJOY VARYING DEGREES OF SUPERVISED FREEDOM TO WORK, STUDY, AND VISIT WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS, WHILE STILL BEING SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS OF THEIR LEGAL RIGHTS, DEBARMENT FROM PRACTICING THEIR PROFESSIONS, OR WORKING OUT FINES OR RESTITUTIONS TO THEIR VICTIMS. THE BRAZILIAN CONCEPT OF 'PRISON-HOTEL' IS CITED AS A SUCCESSFUL INNOVATION WITH ONLY 1 RECIDIVIST AMONG 143 ENROLLES IN THE PROGRAM IN A PERIOD OF 4 YEARS. HOWEVER, DANGEROUS CRIMINALS CONVICTED OF SERIOUS CRIMES REQUIRE CLASSIFICATION, PROFILING AND INDIVIDUALIZED PSYCHOLOGICAL AND MEDICAL TREATMENT, BUT NOT AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR PUNISHMENT OR WITH IMPLICIT EXONERATION FROM THEIR PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THEIR CRIMES. FOR AN ENGLISH SUMMARY TRANSLATION, SEE NCJ # 59507. --IN SPANISH. (LGR)