NCJ Number
37050
Date Published
1975
Length
11 pages
Annotation
PRESENTATION OF PRELIMINARY FINDINGS OF RESEARCH CONDUCTED TO DETERMINE THE EFFECTS OF JUDICIAL INTERVENTION IN CORRECTIONS IN THE COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT ENVIRONMENT.
Abstract
THIS STUDY WAS UNDERTAKEN BY A TEAM EXPLORING WHAT ACTUALLY HAS HAPPENED AFTER JUDICIAL DECREES ORDERING CHANGES IN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS WERE HANDED DOWN. THE TEAM USED A CASE STUDY APPROACH, TAKING AN INTENSIVE LOOK AT A SMALL NUMBER OF JUDICIAL DECISIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY. IN EACH OF THE CASES, PERSONS INVOLVED OR AFFECTED BY THE COURT ORDER UNDER STUDY WERE INTERVIEWED. THIS INCLUDED JUDGES, ATTORNEYS, OFFENDERS, AND CORRECTIONAL STAFF AND ADMINISTRATORS. COURT RECORDS AND OTHER OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS WERE ALSO EXAMINED TO HELP LEARN THE EXTENT TO WHICH THERE HAS BEEN COMPLIANCE WITH THE JUDICIAL DECREES, HOW CHANGES WERE EFFECTED OR WHY THEY WERE NOT MADE, AND THE OVERALL IMPACT OF THE ORDERS. IT WAS FOUND THAT, IN GENERAL, CORRECTIONAL PERSONNEL HAVE REACTED WITH FEAR, HATRED, RESISTANCE, AND IN SOME CASES RESISTANCE TO COMPREHENSIVE SUITS CHALLENGING THEIR FACILITIES. THE AUTHOR RECOMMENDS APPLICATION OF THE RIGHTS OF OFFENDERS STANDARDS SET FORTH BY THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMISSION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS AND GOALS TO COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS, PARTICULARLY THOSE STANDARDS DEALING WITH THE ISSUES OF DUE PROCESS AND VOLUNTARISM.