NCJ Number
48208
Date Published
1976
Length
16 pages
Annotation
A HISTORY OF FEDERAL INVOLVEMENT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT INNOVATIONS, 1965-1975, HALFWAY HOUSES AND COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS, AND RESEARCH PROPOSALS ON WOMEN IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE CONSIDERED.
Abstract
FEDERAL LEGISLATION IN THE AREA OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION THROUGH VARIOUS AGENCIES, PARTICULARLY LEAA, ARE DISCUSSED FOR THE PERIOD 1965-1975, WITH EMPHASIS ON THE STYLE OF COOPERATION BETWEEN FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. THE HALFWAY HOUSE AND COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS PROGRAMS ARE DISCUSSED AS ALTERNATIVES TO INSTITUTIONALIZATION. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRAM OF THE HALFWAY HOUSE, AND PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARD IT ARE PRESENTED. IT IS BELIEVED THAT COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS IS A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL INCARCERATION, IN LIGHT OF THE FAILURE OF JAILS AND PRISONS TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM. WHILE SUCCESS PREDICTIONS ARE GUARDED, A REASONABLE HOPE IS INDICATED THAT THE 'HALFWAY CONCEPT' OF COMMUNITY CORRECTION WILL BE HUMANE, REHABILITATIVE, COGNIZANT OF CLIENT RIGHTS, AND APT TO EASE THE EX-OFFENDERS' REENTRY INTO THE COMMUNITY. A DESCRIPTION OF A HALFWAY HOUSE PROGRAM FOR A VARIED GROUP OF WOMEN IS INCLUDED. THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY THE STAFF AND RESIDENTS ARE NOTED, AND IT IS REPORTED THAT A COMBINATION OF WEEKLY RAP SESSIONS, DAILY INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP DISCUSSIONS, BIWEEKLY PROGRESS EVALUATIONS AND RATINGS IMPROVED THE CLIENTS' CHANCES FOR SUCCESS. REASONS FOR THE CLOSING OF THIS PARTICULAR HALFWAY HOUSE ARE LISTED. BECAUSE GENERAL LITERATURE ON CRIME AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE USUALLY CONTAINS LITTLE ABOUT FEMALE OFFENDERS, PROBLEM AREAS FOR RESEARCH ARE DELINEATED. THESE RESEARCH SUGGESTIONS WERE DERIVED FROM LITERATURE AND EXPERIENCE WITH HALFWAY HOUSES FOR WOMEN. EXTENSIVE FOOTNOTES AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE INCLUDED. (RCB)