NCJ Number
69424
Date Published
1977
Length
32 pages
Annotation
THE ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1977 OF THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, EMPHASIZING REHABILITATION, COST DECREASE, AND INCREASED EFFICIENCY IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
THE REPORT FOCUSES ON THE FOLLOWING AREAS: ADMINISTRATIVE CONCERNS, SECURITY, FACTS AND FIGURES, FACILITIES, PRISON SERVICES, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, AND PAROLE SERVICES. THE CONTINUED OVERCROWDING CAUSED ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS (INMATE UNREST) WHICH WERE RESOLVED THROUGH IMPROVED COMMUNICATIONS, USE OF SPECIALLY TRAINED CORRECTIONAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAMS (CERT), AND APPLICATION OF VARIOUS TESTED TECHNIQUES. BY THE END OF 1977, 19,355 MEN AND WOMEN WERE SERVING SENTENCES IN THE DEPARTMENT'S 33 FACILITIES. TO COPE WITH THE INCREASE, THE DEPARTMENT EXPANDED CORRECTIONAL CAMPS AND OPENED ONE NEW FACILITY. THE COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM DAY, INTRODUCED ON A TRIAL BASIS AT SELECTED INSTITUTES, IS DESIGNED TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY INTERRUPTIONS IN THE INMATES' PRIMARY WORK OR EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND MAKE MAXIMUM USE OF PROFESSIONAL STAFF. THE DEPARTMENT ALSO PLACED INCREASED EMPHASIS ON PREPARING INMATES FOR THEIR RE-ENTRY INTO SOCIETY THROUGH THE FAMILY REUNION PROGRAM (OVERNIGHT PRISON VISITS FROM FAMILY MEMBERS) AND A FORMALIZED PRE-RELEASE PROGRAM EASING THE TRANSITION. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT STRUCTURAL CHANGE VOTED BY THE LEGISLATURE WAS THE REMOVAL OF PAROLE FROM THE DEPARTMENT, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1978, TO BECOME A SEPARATE DIVISION OF THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. THE CORRECTIONAL DEPARTMENT ITSELF EFFECTED SOME ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES IN 1977 TO IMPROVE THE PAROLE AGENCY'S EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS. THE REPORT INCLUDES NUMEROUS PHOTOGRAPHS, ORGANIZATIONAL CHARTS, FIGURES, AND A FACILITIES DIRECTORY.