NCJ Number
119086
Date Published
1988
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The prison of the future, from an Australian perspective, will be enhanced more by improved personnel selection and training than by upgrading of facilities.
Abstract
The need to protect society from violent and dangerous offenders for specified sentence lengths ensures that society will continue to require prisons in the future. The prison of the future should not be perceived as a place where offenders are sent for rehabilitation. Rather, the primary purpose of a prison should be the safe, humane containment of offenders who have committed serious crimes or for whom alternatives are inappropriate. The success of future prisons will depend upon the qualities and attitudes of those who staff them, notably correctional officers. Effective correctional officers are skilled in interpersonal relations and have the ability to obtain voluntary cooperation in maintaining control. Staff must be trained to implement institutional goals and avoid relating to inmates according to divergent personal philosophies. Such institutional goals include motivating inmates to participate in prison educational and training opportunities.