NCJ Number
136370
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 55 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1991) Pages: 54-57
Date Published
1991
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 has significantly affected correctional management in the Bureau of Prisons in a multitude of ways.
Abstract
On the one hand, the disparity which existed in the past in terms of sentencing decisions has diminshed. There is now a strong level of predictability in terms of time to be served, and this predictability assists staff in planning for an inmate's period of incarceration and eventual release. Further, the Bureau of Prisons' inmate population has changed as a result of longer sentences with virtually no parole terms. Inmate population growth under the Sentencing Reform Act, if not managed appropriately, will generate increased inmate idleness. In an effort to minimize idleness, the Bureau of Prisons has explored innovative approaches and made changes in several of its programs. Educational opportunities for inmates have been strengthened by focusing on programs designed to augment inmates' academic, occupational, and recreational skills. Federal Prison Industries (UNICOR) also provides inmates with job training opportunities. About 25 percent of the available working population is employed by UNICOR. In addition to an inmate's work assignment, unit teams are charged with the responsibility of recommending a program for each inmate during his or her initial classification and of tracking progress in the program. The concept of half-day programming incorporates a half-day of work and a half-day of participation in various activities. Another important management tool used by prison administrators is the presentence investigation. Its initial use in the prison system is to assist in the appropriate designation of a Federal facility. The inmate population of the Bureau of Prisons is changing dramatically as a result of the Sentencing Reform Act; specifically, inmates serve longer terms of incarceration. 5 references and 3 footnotes