NCJ Number
13450
Editor(s)
B FRANK
Date Published
1973
Length
367 pages
Annotation
PRESENTS A PERSPECTIVE ON THE PRESENT STATUS OF CORRECTIONS IN THE U.S. FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF ITS IDEOLOGY, THEORY, AND PRACTICE.
Abstract
THE CENTRAL PURPOSE OF THIS BOOK IS TO EXAMINE THE NATURE AND LIMITS OF THE CORRECTIONAL FIELD RATHER THAN TO DESCRIBE ITS OPERATIONAL ASPECTS. THIS SELECTION OF READINGS DEAL WITH CRITICAL AND CONTROVERSIAL POLICY QUESTIONS, ASSESS THE APPLICABILITY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE THEORY AND RESEARCH TO CORRECTIONAL PRACTICE, AND FOCUS ON EMERGING TRENDS IN CORRECTIONS THAT PROMISE TO BREAK THROUGH THE RESTRAINTS OF CONVENTIONAL CORRECTIONAL PRACTICE. TOPICS COVERED INCLUDE CORRECTIONS IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, CRIMINAL ISSUES IN CORRECTIONS, THE AMERICAN PRISON - THE END OF AN ERA, THE OFFENDER IN THE COMMUNITY, AND CRIMINOLOGY AND CORRECTIONS - THE FUTILE SEARCH FOR CAUSE. THE FIRST SECTION IS DEVOTED TO A CONSIDERATION OF THE PHILOSOPHICAL PREMISES UNDERLYING THE CRIMINAL LAW AND THE CONSEQUENT INFERENCES CONCERNING THE GOALS AND METHODS OF CORRECTIONS. THREE ISSUES - THE DEFINITION OF THE CORRECTIONAL TASK, ALTERNATIVES TO INSTITUTIONAL CONFINEMENT, AND THE SCIENTIFIC ASSESSMENT OF CORRECTIONAL POLICIES AND PROGRAMS.