NCJ Number
30074
Journal
Corrections Magazine Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1975) Pages: 3-8 AND 45-50
Date Published
1975
Length
12 pages
Annotation
INCLUDED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE A REVIEW OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MUTUAL AGREEMENT PROGRAMMING CONCEPT, AN OVERVIEW OF THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF PAROLE CONTRACTS, AND A SUMMARY OF MAJOR STATE PAROLE CONTRACT PROGRAMS.
Abstract
PROGRAMS INVOLVING PAROLE CONTRACTS ARE SOMETIMES KNOWN BY THE ACRONYM MAP (MUTUAL AGREEMENT PROGRAMMING). MAP WAS DEVELOPED BY THE PAROLE-CORRECTIONS PROJECT OF THE AMERICAN CORRECTIONAL ASSOCIATION. THE BASIC MAP PROGRAM INCLUDES A WRITTEN, LEGALLY ENFORCEABLE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE INMATE, HIS INSTITUTION, AND THE PAROLE AUTHORITY; A TARGET DATE, WHICH BECOMES THE PAROLE DATE IF ALL CONTRACT PROVISIONS ARE MET BY THE INMATE; AND CONTRACT PROVISIONS SPELLING OUT MEASURABLE INMATE GOALS FOR TRAINING, COUNSELING, EDUCATION, OR INSTITUTIONAL BEHAVIOR. ADVANTAGES OF MAP ARE THAT IT IMPROVES INMATE MOTIVATION, INCREASES CORRECTIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY, AND REDUCES TENSION IN PRISONS. HOWEVER, SOME INMATES FEEL THAT THE GAINS ARE NOT WORTH THE CONTRACT EFFORT AND SOME ADMINISTRATORS STATE THAT THE MAP PROGRAM MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO TRANSFER INMATES AND MAY INCREASE INMATE LITIGATIONS. SOME ALSO STATE THAT THEIR SYSTEMS CANNOT YET PROVIDE ENOUGH PROGRAMS FOR CONTRACTS TO BE MEANINGFUL. THE EXISTING MAP PROGRAMS OF MICHIGAN, WISCONSIN, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, AND NORTH CAROLINA ARE DESCRIBED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)