NCJ Number
61011
Date Published
1975
Length
74 pages
Annotation
PAPERS ON THE HISTORY AND PROCEDURES OF PAROLE IN NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA ARE PRESENTED BY JUSTICES, OFFICIALS FROM PAROLE AGENCIES, AND LAW PROFESSORS.
Abstract
IN A SEMINAR, THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE FOR NEW SOUTH WALES DISCUSSES COMMUNITY, COURT, AND OFFENDER ATTITUDES TOWARD PAROLE. THE PAROLE OF PRISONERS ACT, WHICH ESTABLISHED THE CURRENT PAROLE SYSTEM, AND RELEVANT JUDICIAL DECISIONS ARE REVIEWED AND FOLLOWED BY COMMENTS ON THE NON-PAROLE PERIOD, THE MINIMUM PERIOD OF TIME THAT A CRIMINAL MUST SERVE BEFORE BEING PAROLED. THE FUNCTIONS OF THE PAROLE BOARD WERE DESCRIBED AND RECOMMENDATIONS MADE TO INCREASE ITS EFFECTIVENESS. SUBSEQUENT COMMENTS QUESTION THE EFFICACY OF PAROLE AND THE RIGHTS OF PRISONERS IN DEALING WITH THE PAROLE BOARD. THE FINAL PAPERS CONCERN PAROLEE SUPERVISION. IT IS NOTED THAT MORE PRISONERS ARE BEING RELEASED ON PAROLE NOT BECAUSE OF ANY DESIRE FOR REHABILITATION, BUT ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE THREAT OF RETURNING TO PRISON WILL FORCE THEM TO ADOPT A LAW-ABIDING LIFESTYLE. THIS PLACES A HEAVY SUPERVISORY BURDEN ON THE PAROLE SYSTEM, MAKING NECESSARY ADDITIONAL TRAINING IN CRIME PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS FOR OFFICERS. THE IMPORTANCE OF PAROLE IN REINTEGRATING AN OFFENDER INTO SOCIETY IS DISCUSSED, AND MORE WORK RELEASE PROGRAMS ARE RECOMMENDED. THE SEMINAR CONCLUDES WITH A PAROLE OFFICER'S DESCRIPTION OF HIS DAILY RESPONSIBILITIES AND PROBLEMS. (MJM)