NCJ Number
159746
Journal
Corrections Compendium Volume: 20 Issue: 6 Dated: (June 1995) Pages: 5,10- 24
Date Published
1995
Length
16 pages
Annotation
A survey of corrections agencies in the United States and Canada revealed that 60 percent of the United States agencies had eliminated specific inmate privileges in the past year and that some other agencies had increased restrictions on certain privileges or raised requirements for participation in programs.
Abstract
Forty-two percent of the participants reported that inmates have fewer privileges than they did 10 years ago, 30 percent report that privileges are basically the same, and 28 percent report increased privileges. The results counter the common perception that inmates have luxurious conditions and extensive leisure time. Instead, corrections policies are moved away from the concept of correction to the concept of punishment. Prison life is becoming less and less attractive with the elimination of longstanding privileges such as smoking and the addition of hard labor and humiliating uniforms. Some of the privileges are those that are psychologically important and conducive to rehabilitation. These include family days, annual banquets for inmate groups, and Christmas visits. Some states have enacted legislation allowing chain gangs and requiring striped uniforms. Charts providing information on individual states and provinces