INTRODUCTION TO PRISON REFORM LEGISLATION

• NCJ Number: 12821
• Journal: Clearinghouse Review Volume: 5 Issue: 11 Dated: (MARCH 1972) Pages: COMPLETE ISSUE
• Author(s): W A Fitch; J Tepper
• Date Published: 1972
• Length: 15 pages
• Corporate Author: National Clearinghouse for Legal Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK AND SET OF GUIDELINES FOR PROPOSING PRISON REFORM LEGISLATION THAT FOCUSES ON PRISONER'S RIGHTS AND THE REHABILITATIVE FUNCTION.

Abstract

THE AUTHORS CITE FIVE PARTICULARLY NEEDFUL AND POTENTIALLY FRUITFUL AREAS FOR REFORM. AMONG THESE ARE THE PRISON DISCIPLINE PROCESS AND CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES. EACH CATEGORY IS BROKEN DOWN AND THESE DIVISIONS ARE DISCUSSED SEPARATELY. FOR EXAMPLE, THE DISCIPLINE PROCESS IS SPLIT INTO THE RULES WHICH GOVERN INMATE CONDUCT, THE HEARING PROCEDURE, AND THE SANCTIONS TO WHICH AN INMATE CAN BE SUBJECTED AFTER A RULE VIOLATION. THE OTHER MAJOR AREAS OF INTEREST ARE INMATE CORRESPONDENCE AND OTHER FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS, GENERAL STANDARDS FOR PRISONS AND FOR JAILS REGARDING HOUSING, SANITATION, HEALTH, FOOD, AND PHYSICAL FACILITIES, AND, LASTLY, THE GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR REHABILITATIVE PROGRAMS. THE APPENDIXES ARE COMPOSED OF SUGGESTED LEGISLATION, INCLUDING A PRISON DISCIPLINE ACT, A PRISONER'S RIGHTS OF COMMUNICATION ACT AND A PAROLE ACT. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)