NCJ Number
57564
Journal
Criminology Volume: 16 Issue: 2 Dated: (AUGUST 1978) Pages: 225-238
Date Published
1978
Length
14 pages
Annotation
FOCUSING ON THE AMERICAN CONTRIBUTION TO THEORIES OF PENAL REFORM, THIS STUDY EXAMINES THE FAILURE OF THE LIBERAL-REFORMIST APPROACH TO CRIMINOLOGY AND CORRECTIONS.
Abstract
THREE MAIN POINTS ARE COVERED IN THIS STUDY. FIRST, THE LIBERAL-REFORMIST MOVEMENT IN CORRECTIONS HAS SUCCEEDED IN IMPLEMENTING MOST OF ITS PROGRAMS. IN PRACTICE, THE REFORMERS DID IMPROVE THE FACILITIES AND CARE GIVEN TO CERTAIN GROUPS. VARIOUS COMMISSIONS WERE FORMED TO DEAL WITH SUCH PROBLEMS AS APPALLING CONDITIONS IN MENTAL HOSPITALS, TREATMENT OF DELINQUENTS AND ABUSED CHILDREN, THE DRUG PROBLEM, AND THE ALCOHOL PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE IMPULSE IS SPENT AND MOST OF THE REFORMERS ARE SADLY DISILLUSIONED THAT THEIR SCHEMES HAVE CREATED NO UTOPIAS. SECOND, THERE IS A NEW AT-RISK POPULATION, ESPECIALLY THE UNDERCLASS, WHOSE VALUES AND ATTITUDES DIFFER MARKEDLY FROM THOSE HELD BY PROTESTANT REFORMERS, UNDER WHOM REFORMIST POLICIES WERE ADOPTED. IF UPWARD MOBILITY IS REJECTED AS AN UNATTAINABLE GOAL, THEN PRESCRIPTIONS OF THE REFORMERS WILL BE INEFFECTIVE. THIRD, SINCE PAST APPROACHES TO SOCIAL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN INEFFECTIVE, IT IS NECESSARY TO FORMULATE NEW OPTIONS BASED ON THE NEEDS OF THE LOWER CLASSES. PERSONS WHO HAVE MELTED SUCCESSFULLY INTO OUR SOCIAL SYSTEM ARE INCAPABLE OF FORMULATING POLICIES WHICH WILL REACH THE UNDERCLASS. A SINGLE REFERENCE IS CITED. (WJR)