NCJ Number
55806
Journal
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology Volume: 11 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1978) Pages: 19-22
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
A QUESTIONNAIRE WAS USED TO FIND OUT WHAT 157 INMATES AND 98 CORRECTIONS OFFICIALS FROM A BORSTAL, A MEDIUM SECURITY PRISON, AND A MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON FELT WERE THE MOST EFFECTIVE PUNISHMENTS AND REINFORCERS.
Abstract
ALL OF THE INMATES WERE ADULT MALES AND MOST WERE SERVING SENTENCES IN EXCESS OF 6 MONTHS. TABLES SUMMARIZE HOW THE PRISONERS RANK THEIR DISLIKE FOR THE SIX PUNISHMENTS FOR THE INMATES AS A GROUP AND FOR INDIVIDUAL INSTITUTIONS. THE MOST DISLIKED PUNISHMENT BY ALL INMATES WAS THE NUMBER ONE DIET, FOLLOWED BY PAYING COSTS OF DAMAGE, LOSS OF EARNINGS, LOSS OF PRIVILEGES, CONFINEMENT TO CELL, AND BEING CONVICTED AND ADMONISHED. PUTTING THE DIET FIRST WAS INTERESTING BECAUSE THIS IS RARELY USED. THE OFFICIALS FELT THAT LOSS OF PRIVILEGES WAS MOST DISLIKED FOLLOWED BY CONFINEMENT TO CELL, LOSS OF EARNINGS, PAYING THE COSTS, NUMBER ONE DIET, AND BEING CONVICTED AND ADMONISHED. THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE PERCEPTIONS OF THE CORRECTIONAL PERSONNEL AND THE INMATES IS DISCUSSED FOR THE SAMPLE AS A WHOLE AND FOR EACH TYPE OF INSTITUTION. THE SECOND PART OF THE SURVEY DEALT WITH POTENTIAL REINFORCERS. MANY INMATES SUGGESTED THAT REMISSION (EARLY RELEASE FROM THE INSTITUTION) SHOULD BE CONTINGENT ON APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR, RATHER THAN BE REMOVED FOR INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR. THE MOST FREQUENTLY SUGGESTED REINFORCERS WERE GREATER OPPORTUNITY FOR WORK PAROLE, MORE FREQUENT PAROLE BOARD HEARINGS, AND COMPREHENSIVE POSTRELEASE FACILITIES. EXTRA VISITING TIME WAS FREQUENTLY MENTIONED. IT WAS ALSO SUGGESTED THAT A WIDER RANGE OF ITEMS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE FROM THE CANTEEN. MORE MEANINGFUL PRISON EMPLOYMENT AND GREATER WAGES WERE RECOMMENDED. PRISONERS IN THE MAXIMUM SECURITY INSTITUTION RECOMMENDED TRANSFER TO LESS SECURE FACILITIES. RESPONSES FROM THE OFFICIALS AGREED WITH THOSE FROM INMATES. (GLR)