NCJ Number
49020
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 40 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1976) Pages: 9-14
Date Published
1976
Length
6 pages
Annotation
AN APPRAISAL IS MADE OF THE FAILURE OF PRESENT CORRECTIONAL CLAIMS AND PRACTICES, AND A MORE REALISTIC APPROACH IS RECOMMENDED.
Abstract
MUCH OF THE CORRECTIONAL PHILOSOPHY IN USE RELIES ON CLAIMS OF HOW MUCH GOOD COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE AREA OF REHABILITATION IF THERE WERE SUFFICIENT FUNDS, STAFF AND FACILITIES. CORRECTION WORK IS DESCRIBED BY PEOPLE IN THE FIELD AS CLIENT-ORIENTED AND CONCERNED WITH THE DIGNITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL. SOPHISTICATED CLASSIFICATION PROGRAMS, ACADEMIC AND VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS, PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT, BEHAVIOR, MODIFICATION, AND GROUP THERAPY ARE ALL BEING USED IN ORDER TO REHABILITATE THE OFFENDER FOR REENTRY INTO SOCIETY. HOWEVER, CRIME AND DELINQUENCY REMAIN UNABATED, AND RECIDIVISM RATES ARE HIGH. PERSONS IN CORRECTIONS WORK HAVE CONTENDED THAT THIS IS DUE TO THE LACK OF REQUIRED RESOURCES AND GENERAL SUPPORT. WHILE THIS MAY BE PART OF THE PROBLEM, THE REAL REASON FOR FAILURE MAY BE THAT MORE HAS BEEN PROMISED THAN CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED. IT IS ERRONEOUS TO ASSUME THAT ALL CRIMINAL AND DELINQUENT BEHAVIOUR IS AN EXPRESSION OF PERSONALITY DISTURBANCE WHICH CAN BE HELPED THROUGH THERAPY, IMPLYING THAT A 'CURE' IS POSSIBLE. CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR CANNOT BE PRECISELY DIAGNOSED. THOSE IN CORRECTIONS MUST RECOGNIZE THAT THEY HAVE FAILED AND THAT NEW REALISTIC PROCEDURES AND CLAIMS MUST BE DEVELOPED. BEHAVIOR SHOULD BE THE FOCUS IN CORRECTIONS WORK RATHER THAN PERSONALITY. INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR CRIMINAL ACTION SHOULD BE STRESSED, AND PUNISHMENT SHOULD BE USED FOR ILLEGAL BEHAVIOR. HOWEVER, OFFENDERS IN AN INSTITUTION WOULD STILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY AND RECEIVE VOCATIONAL TRAINING, LEARN BASIC LIVING SKILLS, AND ACQUIRE THE MECHANISMS FOR COPING WITH THEIR PERSONAL PROBLEMS AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT. GOALS IN CORRECTIONS SHOULD BE RETHOUGHT, AND THERE MUST BE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES. (DAG)