NCJ Number
65073
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 23 Issue: 2 Dated: (1979) Pages: 159-163
Date Published
1979
Length
5 pages
Annotation
CONFLICTS AND DILEMMAS ENCOUNTERED BY WARDENS IN THEIR EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE A VARIETY OF DESIRABLE CORRECTIONS OBJECTIVES ARE IDENTIFIED AND DISCUSSED.
Abstract
OPERATING A PRISON TO ACHIEVE THE TWIN OBJECTIVES OF SECURITY AND REHABILITATION IS A CONTINUING DILEMMA FOR WARDENS. SECURITY IS MOST EASILY OBTAINED BY CONDITIONING PASSIVITY AND OBEDIENCE TO AUTHORITY IN THE INMATES, WHILE REHABILITATION FOR FUNCTIONING IN THE OUTSIDE WORLD REQUIRES INITIATIVE IN SETTING PERSONAL GOALS AND MANAGING ONE'S ENVIRONMENT TO ACHIEVE THOSE GOALS. INMATES WHO PROGRESS IN REHABILITATION FOR 'OUTSIDE' LIVING ARE FREQUENTLY THOSE WHO ARE MOST RESTIVE UNDER PRISON SECURITY CONTROLS. A WARDEN HAS DIFFICULTY COMMITTING HIMSELF/HERSELF TO TREATMENT PROGRAMS THAT MAY PRODUCE AN ASSERTIVENESS AND DISSATISFACTION THAT WILL CHALLENGE THE PASSIVE-DEPENDENT INMATE ROLE THAT SERVES SECURITY INTERESTS. SHOULD THE WARDEN ADOPT PRISON POLICIES THAT PROMOTE INMATE FREEDOM, INITIATIVE, AND RESPONSIBILITY, BURDENSOME SECURITY PROBLEMS ARE LIKELY TO DEVELOP WITH EXPLOITATIVE INMATES. OTHER DILEMMAS INCLUDE (1) GEARING PRISON PROGRAMS FOR THE RELEASE OF INMATES BASED ON REHABILITATION PROGRESS WHEN PAROLE BOARDS BASE THEIR DECISIONS FOR RELEASE ON SENTENCE STRUCTURE AND PUBLIC OPINION; (2) IMPLEMENTING COURT DECISIONS REGARDING INMATE RIGHTS WHEN SUCH ACTIONS UNDERMINE STAFF MORALE AND ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL OF THE PRISON; (3) FINDING INCENTIVES FOR CONDITIONING INMATE BEHAVIOR WHEN DRUG DEALING AND USE DOMINATES INMATE BEHAVIORAL MOTIVATIONS; AND (4) DEVELOPING PROPER PERFORMANCE OF DUTIES BY LINE STAFF IN THE MIDST OF CORRUPTING INMATE-STAFF INTERACTIONS. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)