NCJ Number
17280
Date Published
1974
Length
25 pages
Annotation
DESCRIBED THE COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS CONCEPT, RECOMMENDS A PLAN OF ACTION FOR IMPLEMENTING COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS, AND DESCRIBED THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE AND THOSE THAT NEED TO BE DEVELOPED.
Abstract
THE SURVEY DISCOVERED THAT THE AUSTIN REGION RELIES PRINCIPALLY UPON JAILS AND PROBATION FOR CORRECTIONS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. THE JAILS ARE GENERALLY IN POOR CONDITION WITH FEW PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO CORRECT THE OFFENDER. PROBATION IS, OVERALL, UNDERSTAFFED OR NONEXISTENT. THE REGION CURRENTLY OFFERS SEVERAL EXAMPLES OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, PARTICULARLY PROBATION AND PERSONAL BOND IN TRAVIS COUNTY, BUT THERE IS A STRONG NEED FOR AUGMENTING THESE AND DEVELOPING OTHERS. JAIL CONDITIONS IN THE REGION ARE UNIFORMLY POOR AND CITIZENS PAY A HIGH PRICE BOTH IN DOLLARS AND RECIDIVISM. THE ADDED THREAT OF JAIL LITIGATION MAKES JAIL REFORM A MUST. PRESENT COSTS OF JAIL CONSTRUCTION ARE SO HIGH THAT ONLY A REGIONAL EFFORT SEEMS ECONOMICALLY FEASIBLE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)