NCJ Number
68784
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 23 Issue: 3 Dated: (1979) Pages: 210-213
Date Published
1979
Length
4 pages
Annotation
LONG-TERM INCARCERATION IN DETENTION CENTERS, AS IN NEW YORK, PROMOTES ANXIETY AND BITTERNESS AND SOMETIMES MAKES HOPELESS CASES OUT OF THOSE CAPABLE OF BEING REHABILITATED AND RETURNING TO A USEFUL LIFE.
Abstract
THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE BEING HELD AT THE BROOKLYN HOUSE OF DETENTION FOR MEN (BHDM) IN NEW YORK CITY ARE AWAITING TRIAL AND CANNOT BE RELEASED ON BAIL BECAUSE THEY ARE UNABLE TO SUPPLY SECURITIES OR UNABLE TO PAY THE AMOUNT OF MONEY NEEDED TO SECURE BAIL. TREATED IN MANY WAYS MORE HARSHLY THAN PRISONERS, THEY LIVE IN A HIGHLY ANXIOUS ATMOSPHERE COMPARED TO SENTENCED PRISONERS IN A STATE PRISON WHO KNOW THEIR FATE. SOME, WITH LIMITED FUNDS, WOULD RATHER USE THEIR FUNDS FOR PRIVATE COUNSEL THAN FOR BAIL AND THEN BE FORCED TO RELY UPON APPOINTED COUNSEL. THE ONLY TECHNIQUE READILY AND SAFELY APPLICABLE TO ADULT SOCIETY FOR DEALING WITH ADULT OFFENDERS IS TO DEPRIVE THEM OF THIER FREEDOM AND TO PREVENT THEM FROM HARMING OTHER PEOPLE. DURING THIS PERIOD, THE OFFENDERS CAN REFLECT ON THEIR RIGHTS AND THOSE OF OTHERS. HOWEVER, THE PRISON SYSTEM SHOULD CONSIST OF PRISONS WHERE INDIVIDUALS ARE TEMPORARILY REMOVED FROM THE MAINSTREAM OF SOCIAL INTERRELATIONSHIPS AND GIVEN PSYCHIATRIC COUNSELING, EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL FACILITIES, AND WHERE A STRONG CONCERTED EFFORT IS MADE TOWARDS REHABILITATION. MOREOVER, THE DETENTION CENTER SHOULD BE MERELY A HOLDING CENTER WITH ALL THE RIGHTS, AMENITIES, AND PROFESSIONAL PSYCHIATRIC AND LEGAL AIDS AVAILABLE; TRIALS SHOULD TAKE PLACE IN AS SHORT A TIME AS POSSIBLE. THIS KIND OF CENTER WOULD HELP TO STOP THE CYCLE OF CREATING BITTER AND REVENGEFUL PERSONS OUT OF POTENTIALLY INNOCENT SUSPECTS.