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INTRODUCTION TO PRISON REFORM LEGISLATION

NCJ Number
12821
Journal
Clearinghouse Review Volume: 5 Issue: 11 Dated: (MARCH 1972) Pages: COMPLETE ISSUE
Author(s)
W A FITCH; J TEPPER
Date Published
1972
Length
15 pages
Annotation
A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK AND SET OF GUIDELINES FOR PROPOSING PRISON REFORM LEGISLATION THAT FOCUSES ON PRISONER'S RIGHTS AND THE REHABILITATIVE FUNCTION.
Abstract
THE AUTHORS CITE FIVE PARTICULARLY NEEDFUL AND POTENTIALLY FRUITFUL AREAS FOR REFORM. AMONG THESE ARE THE PRISON DISCIPLINE PROCESS AND CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES. EACH CATEGORY IS BROKEN DOWN AND THESE DIVISIONS ARE DISCUSSED SEPARATELY. FOR EXAMPLE, THE DISCIPLINE PROCESS IS SPLIT INTO THE RULES WHICH GOVERN INMATE CONDUCT, THE HEARING PROCEDURE, AND THE SANCTIONS TO WHICH AN INMATE CAN BE SUBJECTED AFTER A RULE VIOLATION. THE OTHER MAJOR AREAS OF INTEREST ARE INMATE CORRESPONDENCE AND OTHER FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS, GENERAL STANDARDS FOR PRISONS AND FOR JAILS REGARDING HOUSING, SANITATION, HEALTH, FOOD, AND PHYSICAL FACILITIES, AND, LASTLY, THE GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR REHABILITATIVE PROGRAMS. THE APPENDIXES ARE COMPOSED OF SUGGESTED LEGISLATION, INCLUDING A PRISON DISCIPLINE ACT, A PRISONER'S RIGHTS OF COMMUNICATION ACT AND A PAROLE ACT. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)