NCJ Number
77695
Date Published
1981
Length
370 pages
Annotation
Pulling together the literature on community corrections, this text examines its history, rationale, and effectiveness; interaction between the community and the correctional agency; diversion; probation and parole; residential centers; and substance abuse problems.
Abstract
To place community-based corrections in a proper historical perspective, the text discusses the four phases in the history of punishment (revenge, restraint, reformation, and reintegration) and notes that the phases overlap and coexist today. The book gives the rationale behind community corrections, attributing it mainly to the failure of prisons and other custodial institutions and to several sociological and psychological studies conducted since the turn of the century, including Shaw and McKay's study of delinquency and crime in Chicago. Interactions between the community and corrections are also explored in an examination of services provided by prisoners, ex-offenders, and delinquents to the community and in an analysis of various alternatives to incarceration (bail, pretrial, and posttrial programs). Several volunteer programs are also discussed, and the Chicago Area Project for delinquency prevention is described. The text also examines issues in probation -- its philosophy and extent, management and administration, roles of officers, caseload management problems, and the implementation and impact of a probation subsidy program in California. Similarly, studies are cited to illustrate the potentials and problems of the parole and diversion systems. Various residential and nonresidential programs are described, including the delinquency control project in Provo, Utah, and the Highfields experiment for delinquent boys in New Jersey. Furthermore, an analysis of the effectiveness of community corrections cites studies illustrating the need for accountability for these programs; the Community Treatment Project in California is mentioned as a successful project which used evaluative reseach to improve its success rate. Finally, the text explores concepts relevant to a basic understanding of substance abuse for clinicians and correctional workers and examines the four major categories of treatment and modalities currently being offered to drug-addicted persons. Chapter references, footnotes, tables, charts, and an author and subject index are provided. A list of several organizations helping convicts is appended.