MILL (FROM INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY CORRECTIONS AND THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES, 12TH ANNUAL INTERAGENCY WORKSHOP PROCEEDINGS, 1977 - SEE NCJ-50660)

• NCJ Number: 50669
• Author(s): W SEALS
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: Sam Houston State University
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE DEPERSONALIZATION OF CLIENTS IN 'PEOPLE-HANDLING' INSTITUTIONS ARE DISCUSSED, WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND SUGGESTIONS FOR COMBATING THIS TREND ARE OFFERED.

Abstract

'INSTITUTIONALISM' AND 'CAREERISM' ARE CITED AS PRINCIPAL FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE DEPERSONALIZATION OF CLIENTS IN THE OPERATION OF 'PEOPLE-HANDLING' INSTITUTIONS. 'INSTITUTIONALISM' OCCURS WHEN A BUREAUCRACY NO LONGER GIVES PRIORITY CONCERN TO MEETING CLIENTS' NEEDS AND TURNS INWARD UPON ITSELF TO NOURISH AND MAINTAIN A FORM SUITABLE TO ITS OWN COLLECTIVE NEEDS. 'CAREERISM' INVOLVES STAFF MEMBERS' PREOCCUPATIONS WITH THEIR OWN CAREER ADVANCEMENT SUCH THAT TIME INVESTMENTS AND INVOLVEMENT IN CLIENT CONCERNS BECOME DOMINATED BY SELF-INTEREST. IT IS INDICATED THAT THE PERSONNEL OF 'PEOPLE-HANDLING' INSTITUTIONS MUST CULTIVATE AND SUSTAIN A MORAL COMMITMENT TO THE CLIENT AND HIS NEEDS IF SERVICES ARE TO BE EFFECTIVE RATHER THAN FRUSTRATING AND DEMEANING FOR THE CLIENT. IN APPLYING THIS GENERAL DISCUSSION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE OPERATIONS, THE PLACEMENT OF PRISONS IN A LOCATION CENTRAL TO THE FAMILIES OF THE INMATE POPULATION IS ADVOCATED. PLEA BARGAINING IS SUPPORTED, NOT ON THE BASIS OF SAVING TIME FOR THE COURT, BUT BECAUSE IT INVOLVES THE DEFENDANT IN DECISIONMAKING WITH THE PROSECUTION ABOUT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO HIM. DISPARITY IN SENTENCING IS ALSO SUPPORTED AS AN EXPRESSION OF INDIVIDUALIZATION IN SENTENCING. EVEN THOUGH TWO OFFENDERS COMMIT THE SAME TYPE OF CRIME, IT IS BELIEVED THAT A CONSIDERATION OF EACH OFFENDER'S BACKGROUND AND CHARACTERISTICS REQUIRES THAT DISCRETION BE ALLOWED IN THE SENTENCING DECISION. THE PROHIBITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY AND AN ORIENTATION TOWARD REHABILITATION IN CORRECTIONS ARE ADVOCATED AS LOGICAL EXPRESSIONS OF CONCERN FOR THE OFFENDER. IT IS ARGUED THAT CORRECTIONS SHOULD BE ROOTED IN THE PERSPECTIVE THAT PEOPLE DO UNDERGO BASIC CHANGES IN THEIR LIVES. EARLY INTERVENTION IN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN WHO MANIFEST PERSONALITY DISORDERS OR DISABILITIES IS ALSO ENCOURAGED. (RCB)