NCJ Number
16184
Journal
Crime and Delinquency Volume: 20 Issue: 4 Dated: (OCTOBER 1974) Pages: 339-346
Date Published
1974
Length
8 pages
Annotation
EXAMINES NEW POLICIES AND TRENDS IN THE EMPLOYMENT OF MINORITIES IN THE FIELD OF CORRECTIONS.
Abstract
ONE OF THE MOST STRIKING MANPOWER PROBLEMS IN OUR CORRECTIONAL SYSTEMS IS THE VAST DISPARITY IN RACIAL COMPOSITION BETWEEN INMATE POPULATIONS AND CORRECTIONAL STAFFS. THIS IMBALANCE HAS STIMULATED A MOVE TO INCREASE MINORITY HIRING IN CORRECTION. IN THE PAST TWO OR THREE YEARS, DEVELOPMENTS ON THREE LEVELS-RHETORIC, JUDICIAL DECISIONS, AND ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS-OFFER HOPE THAT THE GOAL OF INCREASED MINORITY HIRING WILL BE REALIZED. POLITICAL AND CORRECTIONAL LEADERS, ALONG WITH STUDY COMMISSIONS, HAVE ENDORSED THE CONCEPT OF INCREASED MINORITY HIRING IN CORRECTION. THIS LENDS SUPPORT TO LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE EFFORTS AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO REVERSE POSITIONS OR JUSTIFY NO PROGRESS. JUDICIAL DECISIONS HAVE STRUCK DOWN DISCRIMINATORY EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS AND PRACTICES AND HAVE REMOVED BARRIERS BY ESTABLISHING PRESUMPTIONS OF DISCRIMINATION WHEN DISPROPORTIONATE RACIAL BALANCE EXISTS IN HIRING. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES, BACKED BY FEDERAL ANTIDISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION, HAVE PROMULGATED TOUGH NEW REGULATIONS WHICH PROMISE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON MINORITY CORRECTIONAL HIRING. LEAA, WHICH SUPPLIES LARGE SUMS OF FEDERAL MONEY FOR CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS, NOW REQUIRES GRANT RECIPIENTS TO FILE STATEMENTS DETAILING THE RACIAL AND OTHER MINORITY COMPOSITION OF THEIR STAFFS. WHERE DISPARITIES EXIST, AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PROGRAM IS REQUIRED. LEAA HAS ALSO GIVEN NOTICE THAT DECISIONS ON WHERE TO LOCATE NEW CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES WILL BE CLOSELY SCRUTINIZED FOR THEIR EFFECT ON MINORITY HIRING. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)