NCJ Number
59594
Date Published
1976
Length
17 pages
Annotation
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE JUDICIAL PROCESS COMMISSION OF THE GENESEE ECUMENICAL MINISTRIES TESTIFIED ON A PROPOSED MORATORIUM ON PRISON CONSTRUCTION, REDUCTION OF PRISON POPULATION, AND ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION.
Abstract
THE STAFF COORDINATOR FOR THE JUDICIAL PROCESS COMMISSION STATED THAT NEW YORK'S CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS FAILED TO PROTECT SOCIETY FROM CRIMINALS, DETER CRIME, AND REHABILITATE OFFENDERS. STATISTICAL DATA INDICATED THAT NEW YORK OVERUSED INCARCERATION INSTEAD OF RESTRICTING MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISONS TO SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS OFFENDERS. THE WITNESS RECOMMENDED A MORATORIUM ON PRISON CONSTRUCTION AND STIPULATED THAT ACQUISITION OF ADDITIONAL SPACE BE RESTRICTED TO MINIMUM SECURITY FACILITIES LOCATED IN THE COMMUNITY. AN INCREASE IN MINIMUM SECURITY SPACES WOULD BE MATCHED BY A DECREASE IN MAXIMUM SECURITY SPACES. THE SECOND WITNESS DISCUSSED REMEDIES FOR OVERPOPULATION IN NEW YORK PRISONS REFORM COMPOSED OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, CITIZENS, AND INMATES. LEGISLATIVE, JUDICIAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS WERE ALSO PROPOSED. THE FINAL WITNESS URGED THE STATE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO COMMIT ITSELF TO SHIFTING FROM A POLICY OF IMPRISONMENT FOR ALL OFFENDERS TO ALTERNATIVES WHICH UTILIZE COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND SERVICES. EXAMPLES OF PROGRAMS USING CONTRACTUAL SENTENCES, RESTITUTION, MEDIATION, AND CORRECTIONAL RESIDENCES IN THE COMMUNITY WERE CITED. EACH STATEMENT INCLUDES FOOTNOTES. (MJM)