NCJ Number
36585
Date Published
1976
Length
222 pages
Annotation
PAROLE AUTHORITIES SIMPLY ARE NOT SURE OF WHAT THEY ARE DOING WHEN THEY DECIDE TO RELEASE AN OFFENDER FROM PRISON AND DEAL WITH HIM IN A FREE SOCIETY.
Abstract
THIS CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE PURPOSES AND PERFORMANCE OF PAROLE SYSTEMS IN THE UNITED STATES NOTES INCERTAINTY OF PURPOSE AND PRACTICE IN THE DECISIONMAKING OF PAROLE BOARDS, WASTE MOTION IN SUPERVISION OF PAROLEES, INJUSTICE IN METHODS OF REVOKING PAROLE, AND INADEQUACY IN THE PROVISION OF COMMUNITY REHABILITATIVE ASSISTANCE. THESE CONCLUSIONS ARE BASED ON FIELD STUDIES IN CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, GEORGIA, WISCONSIN, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT; ANALYSIS OF OTHER EXISTING RESEARCH; AND A REVIEW OF LITERATURE ON SENTENCING, PRISONS, AND PAROLE. THE AUTHOR PROPOSES AN ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM THAT WOULD END INDETERMINATE SENTENCING, ELIMINATE PAROLE RELEASE AND SUPERVISION, AND UPGRADE COMMUNITY HELP TO EX-OFFENDERS. AN INDEX AND A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE PROVIDED.