NCJ Number
108265
Date Published
1987
Length
12 pages
Annotation
The Barlinnie Unit within the Scottish prison system provides a small group alternative for the management of potentially violent and other selected long-term inmates.
Abstract
The unit houses 10 inmates and is staffed by volunteers. The traditional correctional officer-inmate relationship was modified to resemble a therapist-patient relationship. The basis of the unit is that of a social community in which inmates are involved in their own management. Both staff and inmates are encouraged to develop a sense of responsibility toward the decisionmaking in the community. Weekly community meetings provide a mechanism for allowing free interchange of information, ideas, and complaints and for internal management of the unit. In addition, staff and inmates may request special emergency meetings at any time. Staff and inmates engage in a variety of educational and recreational activities, and the unit is open to a variety of official and personal visitors. Since its establishment in 1973, the unit has served 24 inmates. To date, there have been no assaults on staff and only one assault on an inmate by another inmate. Plans are being formulated for ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the unit. 1 reference.