NCJ Number
57735
Date Published
1977
Length
33 pages
Annotation
AN ASSESSMENT (INCLUDING RECOMMENDATIONS) IS MADE OF THE ARMY CORRECTION PROGRAM'S MANAGEMENT, COST-EFFECTIVENESS, ACHIEVEMENT OF OBJECTIVES, AND ADHERENCE TO CORRECTIONAL STANDARDS.
Abstract
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE ARMY CORRECTION PROGRAM, AS STATED IN ARMY REGULATIONS 190-47, ARE IN CONFORMANCE WITH DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INSTRUCTION 1325.4, WITH CHAPTER 48 OF TITLE 10 OF THE U.S. CODE, AND WITH THE DOMINANT OBJECTIVES OF FEDERAL AND STATE CIVILIAN CORRECTIONS. HOWEVER, DATA OBTAINED THE PERIOD OF THIS STUDY (OCTOBER 1976 TO MARCH 1977) SHOW THAT THE PROGRAM IS NOT COST-EFFECTIVE. IN 1976, THE TOTAL OF THE PROGRAM (INCLUDING DIRECT AND INDIRECT COSTS) WAS AT LEAST $52 MILLION. THIS COULD BE REDUCED BY $20 MILLION WITHOUT FAILING TO MEET CURRENT PROGRAM OBJECTIVES. STEPS TO ACHIEVE SUCH A REDUCTION WOULD NOT INCLUDE THE POLICY OF TRANSFERRING ALL OFFENDERS OF CIVILIAN-TYPE CRIMES TO THE FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM. INSTEAD, THE PLAN WOULD INCLUDE A CENTRALIZATION OF MANAGEMENT AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ARMYWIDE CONFINEMENT AND CORRECTION PROGRAM PLANNING AND EVALUATION CAPABILITY AT THE DEPARTMENT LEVEL. NOT ONLY SHOULD THE U.S. ARMY RETRAINING BRIGADE AND U.S. DISCIPLINARY BARRACK'S (USDB) BE RETAINED, BUT POSTTRIAL PRISONERS SHOULD BE ASSIGNED TO EITHER OF THESE FACILITIES AS FAR AS FEASIBLE. ALL SHOULD BE CONSOLIDATED INTO A SINGLE TYPE OF FACILITY PRIMARILY FOR PRETRIAL PRISONERS. EACH FACILITY SHOULD BE TIED INTO OTHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACTIVITIES OF THE FORTS. EXPANSION OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS AT USDB COULD IMPROVE REVENUE GENERATING CAPABILITY AS WELL AS THE REHABILITATIVE PROSPECTS OF PRISONERS, IF SUCH AN EFFORT EMPHASIZES TRAINING IN MASS PRODUCTION OF MARKETABLE GOODS. OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS IN SOME USDB VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS SHOULD BE CORRECTED. THE USDB WORK RELEASE PROGRAM SHOULD BE EXPANDED AND A LARGE PROPORTION OF USBD PRISONERS RESTORED TO DUTY. CHARTS ARE PROVIDED BUT REFERENCES ARE NOT INCLUDED. FOR FINAL REPORT SEE NCJ-57840. (KCP)