NCJ Number
43721
Date Published
1975
Length
727 pages
Annotation
THE VIRGINIA CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM'S COMPLIANCE WITH THE 129 STANDARDS OF THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMISSION (NAC) ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS AND GOALS IS EXAMINED; STATISTICS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE INCLUDED.
Abstract
THIS SURVEY, WHICH USED MAILED QUESTIONNAIRES, PERSONAL INTERVIEWS, AND LITERATURE SEARCHES AS WELL AS EXAMINATION OF OFFICIAL RECORDS, FOUND THAT SEVEN OF THE STANDARDS HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED COMPLETELY OR ALMOST COMPLETELY: ACCESS TO COURTS, CREDIT FOR TIME SERVED, STATE INSPECTION OF LOCAL FACILITIES, ORGANIZATION OF PROBATION, GOOD PAROLE AUTHORITY PERSONNEL, UNIFIED CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS, AND PARDON LEGISLATION. ANOTHER 43 STANDARDS HAD A MAJORITY OF THE COMPONENT PARTS IMPLEMENTED, INCLUDING ACCESS TO LEGAL SERVICES, BASIC PRISONER RIGHTS, STAFF TRAINING, AND ADMISSION PRACTICES. OVER A THIRD OF THE STANDARDS (46) WERE BEING IMPLEMENTED IN ONLY A MINORITY OF THE VIRGINIA CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS. THESE INCLUDED STANDARDS ON VOCATIONAL TRAINING, RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS, WOMEN'S PROGRAMS, EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES, USE OF VOLUNTEERS, AND GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES. ALMOST NO IMPLEMENTATION WAS FOUND FOR 33 STANDARDS INCLUDING ACCESS TO LEGAL MATERIALS, SEARCHES, RETENTION AND RESTORATION OF RIGHTS, USE OF DIVERSION, THE PRETRIAL AND SENTENCING STANDARDS, TOTAL SYSTEM PLANNING, IMPROVEMENT OF EXISTING INSTITUTIONS, AND DEVELOPMENT OF STATE DATA AND STATISTICS. IN ALL, 60 PERCENT OF THE NAC STANDARDS ARE NOT SUBSTANTIALLY IMPLEMENTED BY THE VIRGINIA CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM. THIS NONCOMPLIANCE IS PROBABLY DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF FINANCIAL COMMITMENT AS WELL AS A DIFFERENCE OF PHILOSOPHY CONCERNING CORRECTIONS. TABLES PRESENT STATISTICS GATHERED BY THE SURVEY. STANDARDS DEALING WITH LEGAL RIGHTS ARE EXTENSIVELY FOOTNOTED. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS APPENDED.