NCJ Number
102085
Journal
Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science Volume: 478 Dated: (March 1985) Pages: 123-134
Date Published
1985
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Each State should adopt an imprisonment policy that specifies appropriate restraint, differential security, middle-range planning, an integrated penal plan that includes community programs, and the maintenance of public support.
Abstract
Other than the interpretation of the eighth amendment (prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment), there is no coherent policy on the use of imprisonment in the United States. A policy is required to address prison overcrowding. An imprisonment policy should specify the level of restraint commensurate with the dangers inmates pose to the public. No inmate should be assigned to more security than a risk assessment indicates is required, and imprisonment rates should be set according to prison capacity. Imprisonment policy must be set according to prison capacity. Imprisonment policy must be set within an integrated penal policy that includes community programs. Imprisonment policy must also be interpreted to the public so as to elicit and maintain its support for rational policies. Policy must also designate the types of offenders who should be imprisoned and how long each offender type should be imprisoned. Prisons must be required to be lawful, safe, industrious, and purposeful. Each State should establish a commission on penal policy to plan and review penal legislative and policy changes. 4 footnotes.