NCJ Number
25032
Date Published
1973
Length
103 pages
Annotation
A CRITIQUE OF THE CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION'S PLAN FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES, IN WHICH IT IS PROPOSED THAT ALL SUCH CONSTRUCTION BE DELAYED AND THAT COMMUNITY-BASED ALTERNATIVES BE STUDIED.
Abstract
THE PAPER IS DIVIDED INTO THREE SECTIONS. THE FIRST CONTAINS A DESCRIPTION OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN CONNECTICUT, INCLUDING THE CURRENT RESOURCES IN PERSONNEL AND BUILDINGS, THE COST TO THE TAXPAYER, AND THE PRINCIPAL PROBLEMS FACING EACH COMPONENT. THE SECOND PART EXAMINES THE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES NOW BEING PLANED AND POINTS OUT HOW THESE PLANS ARE INCONSISTENT BOTH WITH THE PROBLEMS NOW PLAGUING CONNECTICUT'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND WITH THE NATIONAL TREND IN CORRECTIONS. THE THIRD PART PRESENTS THE FOLLOWING PRELIMINARY SET OF ALTERNATE PROPOSALS WHICH THE CONNECTICUT PRISON ASSOCIATION BELIEVES ARE MORE IN LINE WITH BOTH THE NEEDS AND THE RESOURCES OF CONNECTICUT: 1) THAT A MORATORIUM BE IMPOSED ON ALL NEW CONSTRUCTION OF PENAL INSTITUTIONS IN CONNECTICUT FOR THREE TO FIVE YEARS WHILE ALTERNATIVE MEASURES TO INCARCERATION AND REHABILITATION ARE STUDIED BY A HIGH LEVEL BLUE RIBBON TASK FORCE; 2) THAT A PORTION OF MONEY NOW EARMARKED FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION BE INVESTED IN A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY BASED CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS FOR THE ABOVE PERIOD INCLUDING EXPANDED PROBATION AND PAROLE STAFFS, HALFWAY HOUSES, AND WORK RELEASE; 3) THAT, AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, THE CORRECTIONAL PROCESS MOVE FROM MINIMUM CONTROL TO MAXIMUM CONTROL RATHER THAN VICE VERSA AS IS NOW THE CASE; 4) THAT THE PRESENT FACILITIES OF THE CORRECTIONAL CENTERS IN HARTFORD AND NEW HAVEN, WHICH ARE ADMITTEDLY OBSOLETE AND DANGEROUS, BE PHASED OUT AND THEIR POPULATIONS REDISTRIBUTED TO OTHER EXISTING FACILITIES OR RELEASED UNDER EXPANDED PROBATION AND PAROLE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)