NCJ Number
65074
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 23 Issue: 2 Dated: (1979) Pages: 164-171
Date Published
1979
Length
8 pages
Annotation
PROBLEMS PECULIAR TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF SHORT-TERM INCARCERATION ARE IDENTIFIED AND DISCUSSED.
Abstract
DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAMS FOR SHORT-TERM INMATES IS A MAJOR DIFFICULTY. LONG-TERM THERAPY AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ARE NECESSARILY EXCLUDED FROM SHORT-TERM CORRECTIONS. INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP COUNSELING CAN BE PROVIDED ONLY IN SHORTENED PROGRAMS WHICH TEND TO BE LIMITED IN EFFECTIVENESS AND VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS ARE CURTAILED BY LEGAL RESTRICTIONS WHICH PROHIBIT COERCIVE LABOR OF DETAINEES PLUS THE LACK OF TIME NEEDED TO DEVELOP JOB SKILLS. ANOTHER SPECIAL PROBLEM IS DESTRUCTION OF INTITUTIONAL PROPERTY. INSTITUTIONAL PROPERTY, VIEWED AS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CONFINING AGENCY, BECOMES A TARGET FOR AGGRESSION AND HOSTILITY, WHEREAS IN LONG-TERM INSTITUTION, INMATES VIEW INSTITUTIONAL PROPERTY AS BEING FOR THEIR USE AND BENEFIT OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. FURTHERMORE, SHORT-TERM FACILITIES RECEIVE MOST PERSONS AFTER ARREST AND MUST RETAIN THEM UNTIL THE COURT ESTABLISHES A COMMITMENT. THEY TEND TO HOLD A RELATIVELY HIGH PERCENTAGE OF PSYCHOTICS, A SITUATION PRODUCING A SPECIAL NEED FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES, ACCESS TO A HOSPITAL, AND SPECIAL HOUSING. THE GREAT VARIETY OF OFFENSE CATEGORIES AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TYPES REPRESENTED IN A SHORT-TERM FACILITY PRESENTS INMATE CLASSIFICATION DIFFICULTIES, WHICH, IN TURN, LEAD TO SPECIAL HOUSING AND SEPARATION OF VARIOUS INMATE TYPES. EMOTIONAL STRESS IS PARTICULARLY HIGH AMONG SHORT-TERM INMATES ANXIOUS ABOUT FUTURE TRIAL OUTCOMES, BUT THE BRIEFNESS OF THEIR STAYS HAMPERS STAFF MEMBERS IN RELATING TO THE INMATES IN HELPFUL WAYS, AND THE FREQUENCY OF RECIDIVISM OBSERVED TENDS TO PRODUCE FEELINGS OF FUTILITY IN THE STAFF REGARDING INMATE REHABILITATION. A TEAM APPROACH TO CASES SCREENED AND DETERMINED TO BE TREATABLE, HOWEVER, CAN PRODUCE POSITIVE RESULTS FOR INMATES WHILE INCREASING STAFF MORALE. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)