NCJ Number
79436
Date Published
1981
Length
0 pages
Annotation
Norman Carlson, Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, discusses four concepts underlying the criminal justice system: incapacitation, retribution, rehabilitation, and deterrence. He then examines the current objectives of prison officials.
Abstract
Carlson argues that officials do not know how to change criminal behavior but can only facilitate change in offenders. The medical model, adopted under the concept of rehabilitation, has failed to result in accurate diagnoses of inmates. However, deterrence remains a valuable concept as it is possible to deter offenders from repeating their offenses. Prison officials should concentrate on providing safe facilities for inmates and staff, humane conditions, and opportunities for change. Most States are in agreement on these objectives, and on the Federal level Senator Edward Kennedy is promoting a bill that spells out these objectives for the criminal justice system. Carlson emphasizes the need for short sentences and certain punishment, advocates closing down old prison facilities and building new ones, and argues that white-collar criminals should serve prison sentences rather than being assigned to public service projects.