NCJ Number
119638
Date Published
1989
Length
122 pages
Annotation
Information from a survey of 90 State and Federal prisons throughout the United States and from site visits and structured interviews at 11 institutions formed the basis of this discussion of strategies for managing crowded prisons.
Abstract
The research also drew on previous studies of prison crowding and on the authors' 35 years of correctional experience and research. The analysis focused on institutional problems that arise or worsen as a result of prison crowding, courses of action that correctional managers may undertake, and reduction of the impact of crowding on prison management. Findings produced five categories of recommended strategies: space, staff, security, communication, and programs. The most highly recommended strategies included building new institutions, adding additional beds, providing more security staff, increasing prison security, renovating bedspace, communicating with staff, giving more attention to sanitation, and communicating with inmates. Other highly recommended strategies included providing more program staff, providing more recreational time, providing more inmate activities, using double-bunking, providing additional staff training, adding more services staff, and increasing the number of services. Additional recommendations, figures, appended survey instrument, profiles of the 11 institutions visited, and 40 references.