NCJ Number
51905
Editor(s)
P KNAPP
Date Published
1978
Length
18 pages
Annotation
PART OF A 4 VOLUME REPORT OF DATA ON A 1977 SURVEY OF JAIL FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS, THIS VOLUME CONSIDERS WORK RELEASE AND FURLOUGH, JAILS USING TRUSTEES, DINING AREAS, STAFF EDUCATION, COUNSELING, AND CONTRACTING.
Abstract
FREQUENT REFERENCES ARE MADE TO THE STANDARDS FROM THE MANUAL OF STANDARDS ON LOCAL DETENTION FACILITIES, WHICH BRING INSIGHT TO THE PROGRESS JAILS HAVE MADE TOWARD IDEAL CONDITIONS IN A CORRECTIONAL SETTING. THE STANDARDS ENCOURAGE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF STATUTES THAT PROVIDE FOR BOTH ESCORTED AND UNESCORTED LEAVES FROM THE JAIL, ENABLING INMATES TO MAINTAIN OR ESTABLISH CONTACTS IN THE COMMUNITY, AND THUS ENHANCING THEIR READJUSTMENT FOLLOWING RELEASE. APPROXIMATELY 25 PERCENT OF THE RESPONDING JAILS ALLOW BOTH WORK RELEASE AND FURLOUGHS, HOWEVER, 37 PERCENT HAVE NO SUCH PROGRAMS. REPORTED DATA ARE ORGANIZED ACCORDING TO CATEGORIES OF JAILS DISTINGUISHED BY THE AVERAGE SIZE OF POPULATION HOUSED. DATA ARE PROVIDED TO SHOW SPECIFIC WORK AREAS APPROVED FOR TRUSTEES IN THE VARIOUS SIZE JAILS. THE DATA INDICATE THAT 59 PERCENT OF GROUP I JAILS (1 TO 10 INMATES) AND 86 PERCENT OF GROUP II JAILS (11 TO 25 INMATES) PERMIT INMATES TO WORK AS TRUSTEES INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE FACILITY. THE STANDARDS RECOMMEND THAT INMATES RECEIVE COUNSELING IN A VARIETY OF AREAS, PARTICULARLY VOCATIONAL COUNSELING. DATA INDICATE, HOWEVER, THAT 20 PERCENT OF ALL JAILS HAVE NO TYPE OF COUNSELING AVAILABLE TO INMATES. AN OVERALL AVERAGE OF 23 PERCENT OF THE JAILS RESPONDING RECEIVE STATE FUNDS, AND 32 PERCENT CONTRACT WITH OUTSIDE AGENCIES FOR SERVICES. AN EXAMINATION OF CORRECTIONAL FACILITY PERSONNEL REVEALS THAT ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE (14 PERCENT) OF THE JAILS COMPLY WITH THE STANDARD RECOMMENDING A COLLEGE DEGREE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE OR A RELATED FIELD FOR CHIEF JAILERS. THE AVERAGE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR CUSTODIAL OFFICERS IS A HIGH SCHOOL DEGREE OR EQUIVALENT. IN 63 PERCENT OF THE GROUP 1 JAILS (1 TO 10 INMATES), INMATES EAT IN THEIR CELLS, WHILE THE MAJORITY OF THE LARGER JAILS PROVIDE EITHER A DAYROOM OR A SEPARATE DINING AREA. INFORMATION ON JAILS CONSOLIDATED WITH OTHER AGENCIES, AND THOSE REGULARLY EVALUATED IS PROVIDED. DATA ON MEDICAL RECORDS KEPT IN JAILS INDICATES THAT MOST JAILS KEEP NO MEDICAL RECORDS. SURVEY QUESTIONS ELICITING THE DATA PROVIDED ARE INCLUDED IN THE APPENDIX, AND PERCENTAGES OF RESPONDENTS BY STATE AND GEOGRAPHIC AREA ARE ALSO GIVEN. OTHER VOLUMES OF THE REPORT ARE NCJ #51902, #51903, AND #51904. (RCB) GEOGRAPHIC AREA ARE ALSO GIVEN. OTHER VOLUMES OF THE REPORT ARE NCJ#51902, #51903, AND #51904. (RCB)