NCJ Number
64006
Journal
Kriminologisches Journal Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Dated: (1978) Pages: 133-141
Date Published
1978
Length
9 pages
Annotation
AN INTERDISCIPLINARY GROUP OF JURISTS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND SOCIOLOGISTS ARE ATTEMPTING TO WRITE A COMMENTARY FOR THE WEST GERMAN CORRECTIONAL CODE FROM A SOCIAL SCIENCE PERSPECTIVE.
Abstract
THE GOAL OF THE PROJECT IS ELUCIDATION OF CORRECTIONAL LAW WITH EMPHASIS ON REFORM AND CONSIDERATION OF PRISONERS' RIGHTS, POSSIBILITIES FOR INNOVATIVE SOCIAL INTEGRATION PRACTICES, AND ALTERNATIVES TO IMPRISONMENT. THE SOCIAL SCIENCE PERSPECTIVE SHOULD PROVIDE INSIGHT INTO ORGANIZATIONAL FORMS POSSIBLE ACCORDING TO THE LAW AND CONSEQUENCES OF CERTAIN REGULATIONS. INFORMATION ABOUT THE ASPECT OF PRISON LIFE TO BE REGULATED IS TO BE OUTLINED, TOGETHER WITH LIMITATIONS ON LIFE-STYLES CAUSED BY IMPRISONMENT, CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH LIMITATIONS, AND POSSIBILITIES OF AVOIDING SUCH CONSEQUENCES. THE COMMENTARY FORM IS TO FACILITATE USE BY JURISTS AND REFERENCE TO THE ACTUAL TEXT OF THE LAW; PRELIMINARY COMMENTS ARE TO EXPLAIN IMPORTANT LEGAL AREAS, MINIMAL LEGAL NORMS SOUGHT, AND VARIOUS APPROACHES TO USE OF THE BOOK. UNRESOLVED DIFFICULTIES INCLUDE THE DANGER OF PRESENTING INSTRUCTIONS OR MODELS WHICH OBSCURE PROBLEMS, THE APPLICABILITY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE ARGUMENTATION, EXCESSIVE EXPECTATIONS ABOUT CHANGING THE ATTITUDES OF CONVICTS, CONFLICTS BETWEEN INTERESTS OF VARIOUS PARTIES AFFECTED BY THE LAW (CORRECTIONS OFFICERS, PRISONERS, VOLUNTEERS), AND THE IMPOSSIBILITIES OF ALTERING THE CAUSES OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS WITHIN THE NARROW PRISON FRAMEWORK. IN COMPARISON TO A SIMILAR COMMENTARY FOR THE CRIMINAL CODE, THIS COMMENTARY IS INTENDED TO ASSIST IN THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW AS MUCH AS TO BRING ABOUT REFORM, USES MORE SPECIALIZED VOCABULARY FROM THE SOCIAL SCIENCES, AND CAN AFFECT PRACTICE THROUGH ITS ANALYSIS OF RESULTS AND INSTRUCTIONS. --IN GERMAN. (KMD)