VIOLENCE IN THE URBAN PRISON (FROM SOUTHERN CONFERENCE ON CORRECTIONS, ANNUAL, 20TH - PROCEEDINGS, 1975 BY VERNON FOX - SEE NCJ-30775)

• NCJ Number: 30776
• Author(s): A L CASTRO
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 12 pages
• Corporate Author: Florida State University
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

DRAWING ON HIS EXPERIENCE WITH THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, THE AUTHOR DESCRIBES THE PROBLEMS PRESENTED BY INMATES WHOSE AGGRESSIVE TENDENCIES CONTINUE IN PRISON AND NEW YORK'S EFFORTS AT CONTROL.

Abstract

THE DIFFICULTY INHERENT IN PRESENTING INMATES SERVING LONG SENTENCES WITH A CREDIBLE DETERRENT THREAT FOR ACTS OF VIOLENCE IS DISCUSSED. VIOLENCE IS SAID TO BE MORE PREVALENT IN DETENTION FACILITIES THAN IN SENTENCED INSTITUTIONS, DUE TO THE UNSTABLE POPULATION AND TRANSIENT NATURE OF THOSE HELD THERE. THE HABITUALLY AGGRESSIVE INMATE REQUIRES IDENTIFICATION AND CAREFUL SUPERVISION. INTAKE SCREENING, COMPREHENSIVE INMATE INFORMATION SYSTEMS, AND SPECIALLY TRAINED MENTAL HEALTH STAFFS AND CUSTODIAL PERSONNEL CAN BE HELPFUL IN CONTROLLING SUCH VIOLENCE. PROPER STAFF TRAINING AND HUMANIZATION OF THE CORRECTIONAL ENVIRONMENT CAN REDUCE TENSIONS WHICH OFTEN LEAD TO PRISON VIOLENCE.