National Conference on Alternatives to Incarceration, Boston, Massachusetts - Reels 12, 13, and 14

• NCJ Number: 84046
• Author(s): J Midford; M Young; Ritchie; Halleck; Lowe; F Flashner; F Sullivan; Levi; Hall; P Churnoff
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 0 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: National Council of Churches
• Publication Format: Film
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. 3 videotapes, total running time 3 hours, 15 minutes, black and white, 1/2 inch. For the complete conference proceedings, see NCJ-84038-84046.

Annotation

A panel of judges discusses their role in promoting alternatives to incarceration, another panel of Massachusetts corrections officials looks at the future of community-based programming in the State, and a corrections investigator suggests system reforms.

Abstract

The judges point out some of the problems in prisons today, such as a lack of rehabilitative services and correctional staff training, inadequate budgets for improving conditions, and lack of judicial training in sentencing. Judges need to learn more about viable alternatives to incarceration. Massachusetts corrections officials emphasize the need for community support of community-based programs, creative ways to enhance community attitudes toward group homes and halfway houses, and a knowledge of the effects of State budget cuts on alternative programs. The corrections investigator suggests that abolishing parole and cash bail, reducing sentence lengths, restoring offenders' constitutional rights, and enforcing gun control will improve the corrections system.