NCJ Number
11769
Date Published
1973
Length
34 pages
Annotation
EFFECTIVENESS OF EXISTING FORMS OF CUSTODIAL TREATMENT IN REDUCING CRIMINALITY AND RECIDIVISM AND EXPECTED EFFECTIVENESS OF NEW FORMS OF CUSTODIAL TREATMENT.
Abstract
THE FIRST SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE EXAMINED THE FOUR AIMS OF CUSTODIAL TREATMENT - PUNISHMENT, DETERRENCE, PREVENTION, AND REHABILITATION. ALL FOUR ELEMENTS ARE PRESENT IN THE AIMS OF PRISON SYSTEMS BUT THEIR INTER-RELATION IS CONFUSED. A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM LIES IN DECIDING BETWEEN THEM IN TERMS OF EMPHASIS IN RESPECT TO DIFFERENT GROUPS OF OFFENDERS. IN CONSIDERING NEW FORMS OF CUSTODIAL TREATMENT, THE SECOND CONFERENCE SESSION RECOMMENDED THE HUMANIZATION OF INSTITUTIONS AND CHANGES STAFF TRAINING TO ENCOURAGE A PROFESSIONAL APPROACH IN DECISION-MAKING. SEVEN CATEGORIES OF OFFENDERS FOR WHOM CUSTODIAL TREATMENT IS ESSENTIAL WERE LISTED, AND SUGGESTIONS WERE OFFERED AS TO THE TYPE OF TREATMENT SUCH OFFENDERS REQUIRE. ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION (PROBATION AND PAROLE) WERE ALSO DISCUSSED. DISCUSSIONS WERE HELD ON APPROPRIATE CUSTODIAL TREATMENT FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS. COMMENTS INCLUDED AGE LIMITS FOR GROUPING YOUNG OFFENDERS FOR SPECIAL FORMS OF TREATMENT, CRITERIA FOR SEGREGATING YOUNG OFFENDERS, AND PRECISE FORMS OF TREATMENT FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS. A LIST OF CONFERENCE MEMBERS FROM GREAT BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES IS PRESENTED.