NCJ Number
18570
Date Published
1974
Length
28 pages
Annotation
ALTERNATIVES TO THE CURRENT OVERCROWDED, REHABILITATIONAND DETERRENCE-ORIENTED PRISON SYSTEM ARE SUGGESTED, INCLUDING INCREASED USE OF COMMUNITY BASED CORRECTIONS, BETTER STAFF, AND DUE PROCESS GUARANTEES IN PRISON.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR CONTENDS THAT THE REHABILITATIVE IDEAL OF PRISONS, LIKE THE EARLY QUAKER IDEAL OF SOLITARY CONFINEMENT AND MEDITATION IN PRISON, HAS PROVEN TO BE UNWORKABLE. THE USE OF INDETERMINATE SENTENCES, 'COERCED CURES', AND BROAD ADMINISTRATIVE DISCRETION IN THE TREATMENT OF PRISONERS ARE CITED AS EXAMPLES OF THE UNJUST PROCEDURES BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE REHABILITATIVE IDEAL. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT HUMANITARIAN REFORM - BETTER FACILITIES, MORE PRISON ACTIVITIES, PRISON FURLOUGHS AND CONJUGAL VISITS - ARE NEEDED IN PRISONS INSTEAD OF REHABILITATIVE PROGRAMS. ALSO DISCUSSED ARE SUCH TOPICS AS THE REFORM OF LOCAL JAILS, THE INEQUALITIES OF BAIL, THE HIGH COSTS OF PRISON REFORM, AND PRISONERS' RIGHTS.