FUNCTIONAL UNITS - A DIFFERENT CORRECTIONAL APPROACH

• NCJ Number: 13808
• Journal: Federal Probation Volume: 37 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1973) Pages: 8-16
• Author(s): R B LEVINSON; R E GERARD
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 9 pages
• Corporate Author: Administrative Office of the United States Courts
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

DESCRIPTION OF A PROGRAM TO RESTRUCTURE THE ORGANIZATION OF PRISONS INTO A NUMBER OF SMALL, SELF-CONTAINED UNITS OPERATING WITHIN A LARGER FACILITY.

Abstract

A 'FUNCTIONAL UNIT' IS A SEMI - AUTONOMOUS ENTITY DESIGNED TO PROVIDE AN INTENSIVE TREATMENT PROGRAM TO MEET THE NEEDS OF A PARTICULAR GROUP OF OFFENDERS. THE STRUCTURE, STAFF ACTIVITIES, ROLES OF DEPARTMENT HEADS AND TYPES OF UNITS INVOLVED IN THIS NEW APPROACH ARE DISCUSSED. EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON THE NECESSITY OF REDEFINING STAFF ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. THE AUTHORS REPORT THAT DECENTRALIZING AN INSTITUTION INTO FUNCTIONAL UNITS HAS RESULTED SIGNIFICANTLY IN AN INCREASE IN BOTH STAFF AND RESIDENT MORALE.