NCJ Number
16083
Journal
BEYOND TIME Volume: 1 Issue: 4 Dated: (SUMMER 1974) Pages: 64-76
Date Published
1974
Length
13 pages
Annotation
PROJECTS PRESENT TRENDS INTO THE FUTURE WHICH WILL INCLUDE DECRIMINALIZATION OF SOME VICTIMLESS CRIMES, INDIVIDUALIZED SENTENCING AND TREATMENT, AND MORE PRECISE AND EFFECTIVE TREATMENT BASED ON BEHAVIOR RESEARCH.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE MULTIPLICATION OF ALTERNATIVE REHABILITATION TREATMENTS WHICH WILL BE TAILORED TO MEASURED NEEDS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF EACH OFFENDER. THE QUALITY AND COMPETENCE OF THE JUDICIARY IS THOUGHT PRESENTLY LOW WITH LITTLE HOPE FOR CHANGE DUE TO THE TIGHT CONTROL OF POLITICAL POWERS OVER THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF JUDGE SELECTION. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE ABILITY OF JUDGES TO SENTENCE AND PRESCRIBE EFFECTIVE TREATMENT WILL LAG BEHIND THE TREATMENT AND OFFENDER MATCHING POSSIBILITIES ENGENDERED BY THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES. MINOR HETEROSEXUAL SEX CRIMES, MOST ALCOHOLIC OFFENSES AND THE POSSESSION OF SOFT DRUGS ARE EXPECTED TO BE DECRIMINALIZED. IT IS PREDICTED THAT THE USE OF DRUGS AND SURGERY ON OFFENDERS WILL NOT BE FAVORED DUE TO ETHICAL BIASES BUT THE USE OF THE DEATH PENALTY WILL INCREASE. THE AUTHOR GENERALLY ENVISIONS A CORRECTIONS SYSTEM WHERE THOSE SUSCEPTIBLE TO REHABILITATION WILL BE EFFECTIVELY TREATED AND THE HARD-CORE UNTREATABLE WILL BE CONSTRAINED.