Correctional Planning - Much Ado About Nothing (From National Workshop on Corrections and Parole Administration, Second - Proceedings, P 49-56, 1974 - See NCJ-85059)

• NCJ Number: 85065
• Author(s): S Austin
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Available on microfiche as NCJ-85059

Annotation

Correctional planning should set realistic, measurable goals, secure input from public representatives, and base policy on empirical evaluations.

Abstract

An assumption frequently made in corrections is that corrections can deal with all of the offenders entrusted to it, protect the public, and rehabilitate offenders. Instead of continuing to reinforce the public's belief that corrections can radically impact the crime problem, correctional planning must shed idealism and accept and interpret to the public the application of achievable and measurable standards of performance. Another assumption often held is that corrections is the sole responsibility of the professionals in local and State governments employed to operate corrections. Corrections is ultimately accountable to the public for devising policy and programs that serve the welfare and safety of citizens and offenders. Appropriate input from citizens is important so that the criminal justice system does not lose touch with public expectations and needs. Correctional planning should be done in cooperation with the police and the courts, so there is consistency in policy and impact. Corrections has also operated under the assumption that there is sufficient data on the offender to make planning legitimate and possible. In fact, however, many corrections programs provide little data on their clients and program outcomes. Care should be taken to set program objectives that are not only significant but which can be measured. Five footnotes are provided.