NCJ Number
49722
Journal
Law and Society Review Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: (WINTER 1972) Pages: 221-246
Date Published
1972
Length
24 pages
Annotation
COTTAGE RULES, THE LACK OF TREATMENT FACILITIES, UNJUST INCARCERATION AND DETENTION POLICIES, AND THE FAILURE OF COUNSELING AT LONG LANE, CONNECTICUT'S INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS, ARE CRITICIZED.
Abstract
CONDITIONS AT LONG LANE ARE CONTRASTED WITH THOSE AT THE CONNECTICUT SCHOOL FOR BOYS. WHILE 33 PERCENT OF THE BOYS ARE COMMITTED FOR BREAKING AND ENTERING, 20 PERCENT FOR CAR THEFT, AND 22 PERCENT FOR THEFT, THE GIRLS' MAJOR CRIMES ARE RUNNING AWAY, SEXUAL MISCONDUCT, AND PREGNANCY. THE ENVIRONMENT AT LONG LANE IS EXTREMELY RESTRICTIVE. MOST OF THE STAFF MEMBERS ARE ELDERLY FEMALES. GIRLS ARE CONFINED TO THEIR ROOMS AFTER 8:00 P.M. AND A BELL SIGNALS THE SWITCHBOARD WHENEVER A DOOR IS OPENED. GUM CHEWING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED AND MOST DISCIPLINARY ACTION CONCERNS MESSY ROOMS AND UNMADE BEDS. THE BOYS, ON THE OTHER HAND, ARE ALLOWED TO STAY UP AND WATCH TELEVISION UNTIL 11:00 P.M. AND TEAM EFFORTS ARE MADE TO HANDLE ROUTINE HOUSEKEEPING. THE FOCUS AT LONG LANE IS TO PREPARE GIRLS TO BE 'GOOD WIVES AND MOTHERS.' ALTHOUGH THERE IS A GOOD ACADEMIC PROGRAM AND MANY OF THE GIRLS FINISH HIGH SCHOOL THERE, THIS OFTEN WORKS TO THEIR DETRIMENT BECAUSE THEY MAY NOT BE RELEASED UNTIL THEY FINISH THE SCHOOL TERM. PARENTS ARE ALLOWED TO VISIT INFREQUENTLY AND THEN ONLY FOR 3 HOURS. AT EASTER THE BOYS RECEIVED A 7-DAY HOME PASS WHILE THE PARENTS OF THE GIRLS WERE NOT EVEN ALLOWED TO VISIT THE SCHOOL. A TOTAL OVERHALL OF THE PHILOSOPHY AND ADMINISTRATION OF LONG LANE IS URGED. IT IS SUGGESTED NEWSPAPER STORIES BY INVESTIGATIVE REPORTERS MAY HELP THE SITUATION. REFERENCES ARE FOOTNOTED. (GLR)