NCJ Number
58769
Editor(s)
G G KILLINGER,
P F CROMWELL,
J M WOOD
Date Published
1979
Length
359 pages
Annotation
THIS TEXTBOOK FOR STUDENTS AND PRACTITIONERS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSION DISCUSSES THE UTILITY OF PRISONS, THE FUNCTIONS, AND METHODS PRISONS SHOULD USE.
Abstract
IN A SERIES OF ARTICLES, THIS BOOK OUTLINES THE DEBATE ON THE PURPOSE FOR PRISONS. THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM HAS NOT LIVED UP TO THE PROMISES ORIGINALLY MADE WHEN THE PENITENTIARY SYSTEM REPLACED PHYSICAL PUNISHMENT AND MASS EXECUTIONS. REHABILITATION NO LONGER APPEARS EFFECTIVE, AND IS BEING SUPERSEDED BY A 'JUSTICE MODEL' WHICH ESPOUSES THE PROTECTION OF SOCIETY AND SOCIAL ORDER. WITH REHABILITATION IN DISREPUTE AND SOCIETY NOT WILLING TO ADOPT A SYSTEM OF RETRIBUTIVE JUSTICE, IT IS APPROPRIATE TO REEXAMINE THE BASIS FOR A PRISON SYSTEM. TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THE TEXT INCLUDE A REVIEW OF THE PHILOSOPHICAL, THEORETICAL, AND PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF LEGALIZED PUNISHMENT, A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF AMERICAN PENOLOGY, AND A SOCIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF PRISONS AND THE PRISON COMMUNITY. INMATE SELF-GOVERNMENT AND GRIEVANCE MECHANISMS ARE ADVOCATED AS A MEANS OF IMPROVING THE PRISON SYSTEMS AND OF ENCOURAGING THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE INMATES. CONSIDERATIONS FOR PENAL REFORM ARE ALSO APPLIED TO JAILS AND SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS. THE PROBLEMS OF MANDATORY SENTENCING, INMATE MOTHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN, AND POLITICAL INFLUENCES ON CORRECTIONS ARE DISCUSSED. REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (TWK).