NCJ Number
217869
Date Published
2007
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This chapter identifies factors that determine correctional policies, drawing on a range of correctional, social-work, and legal literature, as well as judicial decisions and media reports.
Abstract
Key roles in the development of correctional policies are played by societal perceptions of the threat of criminal behavior, economic and political considerations, and conflicting value premises. The intent of correctional policies is mixed, reflecting both "rehabilitative" and "just desserts" elements. The emphasis given to each of these elements has varied throughout history according to the prevalence of various socioeconomic factors. Currently, the "just-desserts" focus is prominent, as incarceration and the death penalty are policy emphases. At the end of 2004, 2,135,901 inmates were held in local jails and State and Federal prisons, a 26-percent increase over 2003. The number of women in State and Federal prisons increased 4 percent from 2003, reaching 104,848. Dissatisfaction with the "rehabilitative ideal" can be partly traced to the perception of an increase in crime, a growing fear among citizens, difficulties in predicting future behavior-dangerousness, and the use of social science research in correctional policymaking. Much of the fear and focus that has shaped corrections policies pertain to the increase in drug offenses, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among drug-using offenders, firearms-related violent crimes, and sex offenses. Issues that have become prominent under current corrections policies are the treatment of inmates with mental illness, evaluation of the effectiveness of correctional policies in reducing crime, shifting policy perspectives under costly imprisonment policies, confidentiality and information-sharing, and protection of offenders' rights. 75 references