NCJ Number
18760
Date Published
1971
Length
0 pages
Annotation
EXPLORES THE ATTITUDES AND PERCEPTIONS OF OFFENDERS AND STAFF IN THE CONTEXT OF AN UNWALLED WORK CAMP WITH THE INTENTION OF STIMULATING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PURPOSES OF SUCH CAMPS.
Abstract
THE CAMP PORTRAYED IN THE FILM OPERATES A PROGRAM IN WHICH THE CONVICTS WORK FOR SIX MONTHS AS FOREST FIRE FIGHTERS AND SIX MONTHS AT HARD LABOR IN A CONSERVATION CAMP. THE INTERVIEWS, ACTIVITIES, AND CONVERSATIONS THAT COMPOSE THE FILM ARE DRAWN FROM THE SIX MONTH PERIOD OF CONSERVATION WORK. DURING THE COURSE OF A DAY'S WORK AND EVENING RELAXATION, STAFF AND PRISONERS SEPARATELY EXPRESS THEIR ATTITUDES AND OPINIONS ABOUT THE BENEFITS AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE WORK CAMP PROGRAM. ONE CONVICT QUESTIONS WHY HE IS NOT CONSIDERED TRUSTWORTHY ENOUGH FOR PAROLE IF HE IS SUFFICIENTLY TRUSTWORTHY FOR MINIMUM SECURITY. THE SAME MAN EXPRESSES THE HELPLESSNESS AND DESPAIR HE FEELS AT BEING UNDER AN INDETERMINATE SENTENCE IN WHICH HIS DESTINY FOR EACH YEAR IS DETERMINED BY A PAROLE BOARD THAT IS PUNITIVELY ORIENTED. ANOTHER MAN EXPRESSES THE FEELING THAT HIS LIFE HAS BEEN CONDITIONED BY HIS BACKGROUND OF POVERTY AND PREJUDICE THAT HAS NURTURED HATE AND LIMITED VOCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY. THE CAMP STAFF SEES THE WORK PROGRAM AS WHAT THE CONVICTS MOST NEED.