NCJ Number
10437
Date Published
1973
Length
741 pages
Annotation
CRITICISMS OF THE EXISTING AMERICAN CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM, WITH PROPOSED CHANGES WHICH WOULD MAKE IT ALMOST ENTIRELY A COMMUNITY-BASED SYSTEM.
Abstract
'NO ONE HAS QUESTIONED THE IDEA OF CAGING MEN, ONLY HOW TO PERFECT THE CAGE'. THESE WORDS ECHO THE AUTHORS' SENTIMENTS THAT CURRENT REFORMS OF THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM IN AMERICA ARE MERELY FUTILE MUTATIONS OF AN ALREADY FAR TOO IMPERFECT CONCEPT. CRITICAL ANALYSES ARE MADE OF THE MANY FACETS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS SENTENCING, PROBATION, PRISON ARCHITECTURE, INSTITUTIONS, CONVICTS' RIGHTS, CLEMENCY, PAROLE, AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS. EXAMINATION OF MOST OF THESE AREAS REVEALS LITTLE EVIDENCE THAT THE SYSTEM CORRECTS. PROLONGED DEPRIVATION OF THE ATMOSPHERE OF NORMAL LIVING CONDITIONS IS CONTRARY TO THE PURPORTED GOALS OF REHABILITATION AND RESOCIALIZATION. THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM IS SEEN AS PATRONIZING AND DEHUMANIZING, AN INCREDIBLE WASTE OF DOLLARS AND LIVES. THE DISPROPORTIONATE AND UNWARRANTED INCARCERATION OF THE POOR, PARTICULARLY OF POOR BLACKS, HAS PRODUCED A PUBLIC WELFARE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM. CURRENT COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS ARE BUT A BRIDGE TO AN ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM WHICH WOULD NOT RELY FUNDAMENTALLY ON IMPRISONMENT. THE AUTHORS SUGGEST PROFOUND CHANGES IN THE PRESENT SYSTEM - CREATIVE USE OF CONVICTS AND EX-CONVICTS IN THE CORRECTIONAL PROCESS, VICTIM COMPENSATION PROGRAMS, CONTRACTING FOR PRISON SERVICES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR WHEREVER POSSIBLE, GREATER USE OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES, EARNED CLEMENCY, A SYSTEM ALWAYS OPEN TO PUBLIC SCRUTINY, AND THE DRASTIC REDESIGN OF FACILITIES FOR USE IN THE SMALL MINORITY OF CASES WHERE SECURITY IS ESSENTIAL FOR COMMUNITY SELF-PROTECTION. A SELECTIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR EACH CHAPTER IS APPENDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED) (SNI ABSTRACT)