NCJ Number
50398
Journal
TEXAS JOURNAL OF CORRECTIONS Volume: 4 Issue: 15 Dated: (JULY/AUGUST 1978) Pages: 13-16
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE DIRECTOR OF THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS (TDC) ADDRESSES THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE TEXAS CORRECTIONS ASSOCIATION CONCERNING ANTICIPATED CHANGES IN CORRECTIONS AND OFFERS RECOMMENDATIONS.
Abstract
A PERIOD OF TRANSITION IN THE AREAS OF RACE RELATIONS, PREJUDICE, AND DISCRIMINATION WILL BE EXPERIENCED BY THOSE WHO PROCESS OFFENDERS. THE EXTENDED USE OF DATA PROCESSING WILL IMPROVE THE CLIENT/WORKER RELATIONSHIP BY FREEING THE WORKER TO SPEND MORE TIME DEVELOPING A PERSONAL RAPPORT. THE DISPARITY BETWEEN REPORTED CRIMES AND CONVICTIONS, INDICATED BY RECENT STATISTICS, IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM THAT MUST BE DEALT WITH AT THE POINT OF ARREST. IT IS THEREFORE ESSENTIAL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO BE WELL TRAINED AND WELL QUALIFIED. LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS INVOLVING THE PROCESSING OF OFFENDERS SHOULD BE COORDINATED IN ORDER TO PRODUCE AN EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT OPERATION WITHIN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE CRIMINAL JURISPRUDENCE COMMITTEE IN THE TEXAS SENATE SHOULD OVERSEE THE TOTAL ADULT CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM SO AS TO INSURE THAT THE PROCESSING OF OFFENDERS IS UNDERSTOOD. IT WILL THEN BE POSSIBLE TO DEVELOP COMPREHENSIVE PLANS FOR ADEQUATE AND SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS. CORRECTIONS PERSONNEL MUST BE KNOWLEDGEABLE SO THAT THEY CAN RESPOND TO PUBLIC CRITICISM WITH ACCURATE INFORMATION AND FACTS, RATHER THAN EXHIBITING A DEFENSIVE ATTITUDE RESULTING FROM INCOMPETENCY. (JCP.)