NCJ Number
68997
Date Published
1980
Length
0 pages
Annotation
A FORMER SUPERINTENDENT OF THE ARKANSAS CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM DESCRIBES HIS CONCEPTS OF PRISON REFORM AND HIS ATTEMPT TO INSTITUTE THEM.
Abstract
THE MAIN PREMISE IS THAT INMATES ARE HUMAN BEINGS, AND, THEREFORE, THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR OWN DESTINIES BY SELECTING PROGRAMS IN WHICH THEY WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE AND BY BEING INVOLVED IN MEANINGFUL DECISIONMAKING. FURTHERMORE, SINCE THE DOMINANT CULTURE DEFINES OFFENDERS AS IRRESPONSIBLE, THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM MUST HELP THEM TO BECOME RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS BY GIVING THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXERCISE RESPONSIBILITY. BEFORE THESE IDEAS COULD BE FULLY PUT INTO PRACTICE, THE CORRUPTION AND BRUTALITY IN THE ARKANSAS CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM HAD TO BE EXPOSED AND A CLIMATE ESTABLISHED THAT COULD TOLERATE CHANGE. IN THE PROCESS, HOWEVER, THE CORRUPT PUBLIC OFFICIALS WHO HAD BENEFITED FROM CHEAP OR FREE INMATE LABOR WERE ALIENATED, AND THE SPEAKER WAS FIRED. THE AUDIO CASSETTE TAPE WAS PREPARED FOR A RADIO SERIES AND IS INTENDED FOR A GENERAL AUDIENCE. NO SUPPORTING MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED. THE FIRST AND THIRD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE UNDER NCJ 68996 AND NCJ 68998.