NCJ Number
64071
Journal
Corrections Magazine Volume: 5 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1979) Pages: 44-47
Date Published
1979
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE REPORTS ON A TRIP TO EUROPE BY MARYLAND LEGISLATORS AND OFFICIALS ON WHICH CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AND ALTERNATIVES TO PRISON WERE OBSERVED IN BRITAIN, THE NETHERLANDS, AND DENMARK.
Abstract
THE GROUP CONSISTED OF THREE LEGISLATORS, TWO CORRECTIONS OFFICIALS, AND AIDE TO THE GOVERNOR, AND THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE STATE'S HIGHEST COURT. NOTEWORTHY OBSERVATIONS ON THE LONDON VISIT INCLUDED THE ROLE OF THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT WHICH RUNS MOST COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND OTHER ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION. THE GROUP VISITED A DAY TRAINING CENTER FOR PEOPLE ON PROBATION WHICH SEEMED REMARKABLE BECAUSE OF ITS RELATIVELY MODEST COST AND THE ENTHUSIASTIC ATTITUDES OF THE PROBATION OFFICERS. HOLLAND'S NEW HIGH RISE FACILITY FOR PRETRIAL DETAINEES WAS IMPRESSIVE BECAUSE OF ITS LUXURIOUS PHYSICAL FEATURES AND THE LIBERAL ATTITUDES OF ITS GUARDS, FOR WHOM INMATES' RIGHTS TO PRIVACY AND INDIVIDUALITY WERE A GREATER PRIORITY THAN SECURITY MEASURES. DENMARK HAD THE SAME POPULATION AS MARYLAND BUT ONLY A THIRD AS MANY PRISONERS. ONE DANISH FACILITY VISITED, WHILE NO LONGER GEARED TO OFFENDER REHABILITATION, NEVERTHELESS MAINTAINED A STAFF INCLUDING 8 PSYCHIATRISTS AND 3 PSYCHOLOGISTS TO A POPULATION OF 100 INMATES. A MINIMUM SECURITY FACILITY STOOD OUT BECAUSE OF ITS FAMILY VISITING ARRANGEMENTS PROVIDING BEDS AND LINEN IN PRIVATE VISITING ROOMS AVAILABLE FOR THREE 1 HOUR VISITS PER INMATE PER WEEK. BY CONTRAST, CONDITIONS IN CORRECTIONS INSTITUTIONS AT HOME SEEMED BLEAK AND HOPELESS. THE LEGISLATORS FELT THAT PUBLIC OPINION AND AVAILABLE RESOURCES ARE NOT CONDUCIVE TO THE LIBERAL INNOVATIONS VIEWED ABROAD. ILLUSTRATIONS ARE PROVIDED. (MRK)