NCJ Number
15942
Editor(s)
R CAMPBELL
Date Published
1970
Length
249 pages
Annotation
TRACES THE HISTORY OF CORRECTIONS IN AMERICA AS VIEWED BY THE AUTHOR WHILE SERVING AS DIRECTOR OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS FROM 1937 TO 1964, WITH JUDGEMENTS ABOUT THE PRESENT ERA OF REFORM.
Abstract
FROM HIS VANTAGE POINT OF COMPREHENSIVE INVOLVEMENT IN THE FEDERAL CORRECTIONS SYSTEM, THE AUTHOR GIVES A SENSE OF THE ERRATIC EVOLUTION OF THAT SYSTEM IN INCREASINGLY HUMANE DIRECTIONS. PERSONAL EXPERIENCES WITH THE INMATES OF VARIOUS PRISONS, DIRECT INVOLVEMENT IN LANDMARK POLICY DECISIONS, AND PRESENT TRENDS IN CORRECTIONS ARE SEEN THROUGH THE SENSITIVITIES AND ATTITUDES OF THE AUTHOR, WHO HAS CONTINUALLY AFFIRMED THE MOVEMENT TOWARD LESS CUSTODIAL AND MORE REHABILITATIVE EMPHASIS IN CORRECTIONS. THE ESTABLISHMENT AND CLOSING OF ALCATRAZ, PRISON ESCAPES THAT SUCCEEDED AND FAILED, THE PROS AND CONS OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, AND DISCRETIONARY SENTENCING ARE AMONG THE TOPICS DISCUSSED.