NCJ Number
5402
Journal
JOURNAL OF CRIMINAL LAW, CRIMINOLOGY AND POLICE SCIENCE Volume: 63 Issue: 2 Dated: (JUNE 1972) Pages: 240-255
Date Published
1972
Length
16 pages
Annotation
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PRISON SYSTEMS AND THE CURRENT STATE OF PRISON REFORM EFFORTS IN SWEDEN AND DENMARK.
Abstract
THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEMS IN THESE COUNTRIES UTILIZE PROGRAMS THAT FEATURE SMALL INSTITUTIONS, SHORT SENTENCES, HIGH STAFF/INMATE RATIOS, AND A VARIETY OF PRIVILEGES BEING SOUGHT BY AMERICAN PRISON REFORMERS. BASIC FREEDOMS ARE PERMITTED AND DEMANDED BY PRISONERS THROUGH AVAILABLE LEGAL COUNSEL AND A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION WITH EASY ACCESS TO A NATIONAL OMBUDSMAN. LIBERAL VISTING AND HOME LEAVE PROVISIONS RIGHTS OF PRIVACY, AN UNARMED AND SOMETIMES PLAINCLOTHES STAFF, ALL SERVE TO DECREASE THE DEPERSONALIZATION PROBLEMS THAT ACCOMPANY CONFINEMENT. PRISONERS ARE ALLOWED POLITICAL ACTIVITIES PLUS THE USE OF TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES. THE EXTENT AND LIMITATIONS OF THESE LIBERTIES ARE DETERMINED BY THE TYPE OF INSTITUTION (OPEN OR CLOSED) AND THE DISCRETION OF EACH WARDEN. THE AUTHOR STATES THAT MOST OF THESE REFORMS ARE DECADES AWAY IN U.S. PRISONS, WHERE INMATE GRIEVANCES CENTER AROUND DISCRIMINATION BRUTALITY AND ADEQUATE MEDICAL AND HOUSING FACILITIES. PRISON REFORM IN SWEDEN IS KEPT A NATIONAL ISSUE BY KRUM, A WELL-ORGANIZED GROUP OF ABOUT 5000 EX-INMATES, STUDENTS, AND INTELLECTUALS.