NCJ Number
59108
Date Published
1979
Length
67 pages
Annotation
A CORRECTIONS CONSULTATION WAS HELD IN LIGHT OF CONCERNS RELATED TO THE NUMBER OF INMATES IN THE MONTANA STATE PENITENTIARY AND ISSUES AFFECTING THE INCARCERATION OF FEMALE AND JUVENILE OFFENDERS.
Abstract
SIGNIFICANT AREAS OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM ADDRESSED BY THE TASK FORCE WERE STATUS OFFENSE JURISDICTION, THE HANDLING OF MINOR OFFENSES, COMMITTEE LISTENED TO CONCERNS OF INMATES AT THE MONTANA TREATMENT, AND PROGRAMS AND FACILITIES FOR SERIOUSLY DELINQUENT JUVENILES. THE ADULT CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WAS EXAMINED IN RELATION TO THE DECRIMINALIZATION OF PUBLIC INTOXICATION, RELEASE BEFORE TRIAL, STATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOCAL JAILS, THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR ADULTS, THE SENTENCING PROCESS, FUTURE FACILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR OFFENDERS SENTENCED TO IMPRISONMENT, SPECIAL OFFENDERS, ADULT PROBATION AND PAROLE, AND THE UTAH BOARD OF PARDONS. ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES EXPLORED BY THE TASK FORCE PERTAINED TO THE REORGANIZATION OF CORRECTIONS AND SYSTEM-LEVEL PLANNING AND COORDINATION BY THE UTAH COUNCIL ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION. AFTER REVIEWING THESE ISSUES CONCERNING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, THE TASK FORCE MADE 34 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LEGISLATIVE OR ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION OR FOR GENERAL POLICY GUIDANCE. APPENDIXES CONTAIN TABULAR, GRAPHICAL, AND NARRATIVE DATA RELEVANT TO UTAH'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. DRAFT LEGISLATION TO IMPLEMENT THE TASK FORCE'S RECOMMENDATIONS IS PRESENTED. (DEP) PROVIDED A FORUM FOR THE DISCUSSION OF PRISON REFORM LEGISLATION, ALLOWED EXPERTS TO EXPLORE ALTERNATIVES TO TRADITIONAL CONCEPTS OF CORRECTIONS, INFORMED THE PUBLIC ABOUT CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN MONTANA, AND ENCOURAGED CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN THE CORRECTIONAL PROCESS. THE NEED FOR EXPEDITING THE REHABILITATIVE PROCESS, WITH SPECIAL CONSIDERATION GIVEN TO FEMALE, MINORITY, AND JUVENILE OFFENDERS, WAS A KEY DISCUSSION ISSUE. TRADITIONAL VALUES CONCERNING WOMEN AND JUVENILES, AS EXPRESSED IN GENERAL AMERICAN CULTURE, WERE FOUND TO PLACE A DISPROPORTIONATE HARDSHIP ON THE TWO GROUPS IN THEIR DEALINGS WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. RECOMMENDATIONS EMERGING FROM CONSULTATION PROCEEDINGS ARE NOTED. (DEP)