NCJ Number
78494
Date Published
1980
Length
22 pages
Annotation
In this chapter from a sourcebook on prisoners' rights, a former Federal prosecutor who investigated and prosecuted corrupt prison officials discusses the origin of such corruption and appropriate remedies.
Abstract
Prison corruption is rampant in the United States. Most of the officers and employees who work in the Federal correctional system are paid between $11,712 and $15,222 annually. All employees are aware of specific prohibitions concerning conduct. Nevertheless, corrupt practices which have occurred in correctional facilities include staff members having sex with inmates, bringing contraband into facilities, aiding inmates' escapes, and taking inmates out of prison on unauthorized trips. At New York City's Federal detention facility, a priest and an officer conspired to assist in the escape of a prisoner with organized crime connections. Also at that institution, a corrections officer who worked in the records section was found to have accepted bribes to give inmates the prison designations they desired. Another officer repeatedly smuggled contraband to organized crime figures who were incarcerated. A former inmate of the U.S. Penitentiary at Atlanta revealed that narcotics, liquor, and gourmet food were smuggled to organized crime figures at Atlanta by prison guards. It is suggested that the relatively meager income of the officers partly explains the high incidence of corruption. The ability to detect a purchased favor is almost nonexistent. Budgetary and administrative reforms are necessary steps toward corruption reduction. In addition, a mechanism must be installed that facilitates confidential disclosures by inmates and officers of corrupt activities. Congress should be the forum for a comprehensive review of corruption in the correctional system. The chapter includes 137 notes.