NCJ Number
46899
Journal
CURRENT SWEDEN Issue: 87 Dated: (AUGUST 1975) Pages: COMPLETE ISSUE
Date Published
1975
Length
11 pages
Annotation
MAJOR PROVISIONS OF SWEDEN'S 1973 CORRECTIONAL CARE REFORM, DESIGNED TO PROVIDE IMPROVED INSTITUTIONAL AND NONINSTITUTIONAL TREATMENT FOR OFFENDERS OVER A 5-YEAR PERIOD, ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
THE IMPLEMENTATION SCHEME INVOLVES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW REGIONAL SYSTEM OF CORRECTIONAL CARE SERVICE DELIVERY IN INSTITUTIONAL AND NONINSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS AND THE ENACTMENT OF TWO NEW LAWS: THE ACT ON CORRECTIONAL CARE IN INSTITUTIONS AND THE ACT ON CALCULATION OF IMPRISONMENT TERMS. BOTH ACTS ARE BASED ON THE PREMISE THAT CORRECTIONAL CARE SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO PROMOTE THE INMATE'S ADJUSTMENT TO SOCIETY AND TO COUNTERACT THE INJURIOUS EFFECTS OF DEPRIVATION OF FREEDOM. THE BASIC REFORMS EMPHASIZE THE DELIVERY OF SUPPORT SERVICES IN THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE SETTING POSSIBLE. CLOSE COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE INSTITUTIONAL AND THE NONINSTITUTIONAL CARE SETTINGS IS STRESSED, AND COMMUNITY-BASED NONINSTITUTIONAL CARE, ORIENTED TOWARD THE UTILIZATION OF SOCIETY'S NORMAL SERVICE RESOURCES, IS DEEMED THE MOST NATURAL AND APPROPRIATE FORM OF CORRECTIONAL CARE. TO IMPLEMENT THESE GUIDELINES, 360 NEW SERVICE POSITIONS ARE TO BE ESTABLISHED BY 1978, WITH THE GREATEST PERSONNEL REINFORCEMENT BEING IN THE AREA OF SUPERVISORY AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR PROBATIONERS. FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES HAVE ALSO BEEN PROVIDED TO PERMIT THE PARTICIPATION OF NONINSTITUTIONAL CARE PERSONNEL IN TREATMENT PROGRAMS IN PRISONS AND INSTITUTIONS, PARTICULARLY PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO AID IN THE DISCHARGE AND SOCIAL REINTEGRATION OF THE INMATE. A NUMBER OF SMALL LOCAL INSTITUTIONS WHICH WILL PERMIT GRADUAL RELEASE OF THE PRISONER WITH A MINIMUM OF SOCIAL ISOLATION ARE PLANNED PARTICULARLY IN THOSE AREAS WITH HIGH CRIME RATES. IN ADDITION, A SYSTEM OF CLOSED NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS WILL PROVIDE SERVICES TO THOSE PRISONERS WHO BECAUSE OF THEIR CRIMINAL RECORDS, AGE, PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS, SPECIAL TREATMENT AND SERVICE NEEDS, OR DANGEROUSNESS TO THE COMMUNITY CANNOT BE ACCOMODATED IN LOCAL INSTITUTIONS OR NONINSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS. MULTIDISCIPLINARY MEDICAL/PSYCHIATRIC TEAMS WILL BE PROVIDED TO DELIVER SERVICES IN INSTITUTIONS AND FOR THE TREATMENT OF DRUG ADDICTS. FURLOUGH AND RELEASE CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN LIBERALIZED. INFORMATION AND TRAINING PROCEDURES TO BETTER EQUIP CORRECTIONAL CARE PERSONNEL FOR THEIR NEW AND EXPANDED DUTIES HAVE BEEN INSTITUTED, AND PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO INCREASE POSITIVE CONTACT OF PERSONNEL WITH PRISONERS AND TO PERMIT GREATER PARTICIPATION OF PERSONNEL IN TREATMENT DECISIONS ARE BEING INITIATED. (JAP)