NCJ Number
77520
Date Published
1980
Length
38 pages
Annotation
This report details the achievements of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Correction during 1979 and outlines major areas of concern regarding future activities.
Abstract
A major challenge during 1979 came when the bureau had to prepare for the full-scale evacuation of the institution at Camp Hill because of the crisis at Three Mile Island. As a result of the emergency, the bureau has created evacuation plans for all institutions and is now compiling a statewide format to be made available as a model for other States. Another significant event was the first meeting of State correctional superintendents, which was held during the spring at the Federal correctional system's Lewisburg Penitentiary. The meeting was a major step in promoting State and Federal cooperation. The bureau expanded cooperative efforts with the counties in 1979 through the work of bureau task forces in Dauphin and Lackawanna counties. In addition, the division of training and staff development provided professional training to 1,317 county employees and 1,784 State employees, an increase of 6 percent over preceding years. Beginning August 1, 1979, basic training was extended from 3 to 4 weeks, resulting in a fuller, more indepth professional curriculum. During 1979, the bureau hosted five successful institutional tours for State trial judges and expanded the work and influence of the State Correctional Industries Advisory Board. In terms of inmate programs and policies, the bureau completed the fourth effective year of the model inmate complaint system and substantially expanded inmate vocational training and job placement. Another unprecedented accomplishment was the 100-percent success rate of the furlough program during the 1979 holiday season. In the coming year, two important improvements in bureau operations will be put into effect. All correctional officer trainees will receive tests to determine psychological fitness. To ascertain whether these tests are accurate performance predictors, followup studies of individual job performances will be made. If the tests prove to be accurate instruments, they will become a required part of employee selection. In addition, the use of the General Aptitude Test Battery will be mandatory for every inmate. Photographs, charts, tables, and graphs are provided. (Author abstract modified)