IMPACT OF CORRECTIONAL REFORM ON COMMUNITY PROGRAMS - THE CASE OF KENTUCKY

• NCJ Number: 61853
• Journal: OFFENDER REHABILITATION Volume: 3 Issue: 4 Dated: (SUMMER 1979) Pages: 363-373
• Author(s): S L SWART
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 11 pages
• Corporate Author: Haworth Press, Inc
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE PROGRESS OF CORRECTIONAL REFORM IN KENTUCKY AS INSPIRED BY A 1975 REPORT IS EVALUATED; IMPLEMENTATION PROBLEMS ARE IDENTIFIED.

Abstract

STUDIES UNDERTAKEN FOR THE STATE OF KENTUCKY BY CARKHUFF ASSOCIATES EXAMINED ITS ADULT CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND JUVENILE JUSTICE SERVICES AND MADE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES AND IMPROVED TREATMENT PROGRAMS. THE BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS HAS SINCE BEEN COMPLETELY REORGANIZED TO IMPROVE ITS MANAGEMENT, BUT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES, HAS DEMONSTRATED LITTLE SUPPORT FOR THE CARKHUFF PROPOSALS IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT A CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR INMATES, THE CARKHUFF STUDY RECOMMENDED AN EXTENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR ALL BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS STAFF WORKERS; SOME IMPROVEMENT HAS OCCURRED IN ADMINISTRATION AND STAFFING AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL, BUT PROBLEMS OF LOW SALARIES AND LARGE CASELOADS STILL EXIST. A PROGRAM TO TEACH LIVING SKILLS TO ASSIST INMATES IN COPING WITH DAILY TASKS AND PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE HAS BEEN DEVELOPED AND IS BEING IMPLEMENTED SLOWLY IN URBAN AREAS. IMPROVED REINTEGRATION SERVICES FOR RELEASED INMATES ARE PLANNED, BUT ACTUAL PROGRESS HAS BEEN MINIMAL AND IS NEGLECTED IN RURAL AREAS. A STAFF TRAINING PROGRAM HAS BEEN INITIATED, BUT MUCH OF THE MATERIAL IS VIEWED AS INEFFECTIVE BY PARTICIPANTS AND THE RURAL LOCATION OF THE TRAINING FACILITY HAS CAUSED PERSONNEL PROBLEMS. ALTHOUGH THE CARKHUFF REPORT RECOMMENDED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGIONAL JAIL SYSTEM AND THIS HAS NOT BEEN IMPLEMENTED BECAUSE OF FUNDING PROBLEMS, DETERIORATING CONDITIONS IN LOCAL PRISONS WILL PROBABLY INSURE ITS MODIFIED ADOPTION AT A LATER DATE. A GRADUAL RELEASE PROGRAM HAS BEEN STARTED IN WHICH INMATES ARE PERMITTED TO GO INTO THE COMMUNITY ESCORTED BY A CORRECTIONS OFFICIAL TO FIND EMPLOYMENT AND THEN LIVE IN AN APPROVED FACILITY UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A PAROLE OFFICER WHEN A JOB IS SECURED. TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING PROBLEMS HAVE HINDERED THE PROGRESS OF THIS PROGRAM, BUT THESE PROBLEMS ARE BEING RESOLVED. REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (MJM)