NCJ Number
44640
Date Published
1977
Length
11 pages
Annotation
PARALLELS ARE DRAWN BETWEEN THE OVERCROWDING PROBLEM IN PRISONS IN 1977 AND THAT IN MENTAL HOSPITALS IN 1948, AND SOLUTIONS TO THE MORE RECENT PROBLEM ARE PROPOSED BASED ON THE EARLIER EXPERIENCE.
Abstract
IN 1948, MENTAL HOSPITALS IN KANSAS WERE SEVERELY OVERCROWDED. PUBLIC OPINION WAS STRONG THAT THE 'INSANE' SHOULD BE ISOLATED AND CONFINED; HOWEVER, THE COST OF CONFINING THESE PERSONS WAS EXTREMELY HIGH. THE COST OF BUILDING A NEW HOSPITAL TO RELIEVE THE OVERCROWDING WAS ALSO HIGH AND WOULD TAKE SO LONG THAT THE FACILITY WOULD BE OBSOLETE EVEN BEFORE IT WAS FINISHED. THE SOLUTION PROPOSED TO THE STATE AUTHORITIES WAS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF OUTPATIENT CLINICS, ALLOWING MENTAL PATIENTS TO LIVE AT HOME AND MAKE REGULAR VISITS TO THEIR DOCTORS. PUBLIC REACTION TO THIS PROPOSAL WAS ONE OF FEAR OF RELEASING THESE PEOPLE. HOWEVER, WITH TIME AND EXPERIENCE, THE PUBLIC LEARNED THAT MOST MENTAL PATIENTS WERE NOT DANGEROUS OR VIOLENT. IN 1977, THE KANSAS AUTHORITIES ARE FACED WITH THE SAME SITUATION IN THE STATE'S PRISONS. THE PRISONS ARE OVERCROWDED, PUBLIC OPINION AGAIN FAVORS INCARCERATION IN LARGE NUMBERS, AND THE COSTS OF CONFINING CONVICTED CRIMINALS AND OF BUILDING NEW PRISONS ARE HIGH. THE SOLUTION PROPOSED IS AGAIN RELEASE OF MOST OF THE INMATES. SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS ARE THAT: (1) THE STATE GOVERNOR INVITE A PANEL OF CONSULTANTS TO PARTICIPATE IN A COLLOQUIUM ON IMMEDIATE AND LONG-RANGE POLICIES; (2) THE KANSAS DIAGNOSTIC CENTER BE ALLOWED TO SCREEN PENITENTIARY INMATES AND RELEASE THOSE NONVIOLENT PRISONERS WHOSE RECORD, PERSONALITY STRUCTURE, PRISON BEHAVIOR, AND HOME TOWN ENVIRONMENT QUALIFY THEM FOR PAROLE; AND (3) RESTITUTION TO THE VICTIM BE REQUIRED OF PAROLEES, BECAUSE THROUGH THE PRESENT SYSTEM, VICTIMS DO NOT BENEFIT FROM THE INCARCERATION OF THE CRIMINAL. IF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE TO BE EFFECTIVE, HOWEVER, THE CORPS OF PROBATION OFFICERS MUST BE AUGMENTED AND PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED.