REFORM AND REVOLUTION BEHIND THE WALLS - THE CASE OF WALLA WALLA (FROM REFORM IN CORRECTIONS - PROBLEMS AND ISSUES, 1977, BY HARRY E ALLEN AND NANCY J BERAN - SEE NCJ-46620)

• NCJ Number: 46629
• Author(s): C STASTNY; A G TYRNER-STASTNY
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: Praeger Publishers
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PRESENTED AT THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CRIMINOLOGY CONVENTION, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, NOVEMBER 1974

Annotation

THE EVENTS UNDERLYING THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INMATE SELF-GOVERNANCE PROGRAM AT WALLA WALLA STATE PRISON IN WASHINGTON ARE RECOUNTED.

Abstract

FORMED IN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST FROM THE INMATES, THE CORE OF THE SELF-GOVERNANCE EXPERIMENT IS THE RESIDENT GOVERNMENT COUNCIL (RGC), A REPRESENTATIVE BODY ELECTED BY THE INMATES AND OPERATING WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF A WRITTEN CONSTITUTION. THIS STRUCTURE EMERGED FOLLOWING A PERIOD OF TURMOIL WITHIN THE PRISON THAT NEARLY ERUPTED INTO RACIAL WARFARE. THE RGC WAS GIVEN THE AUTHORITY TO EFFECT CONSTRUCTIVE CHANGE. FOUNDED IN 1971, THE STATUS OF THE RGC WITH BOTH RESIDENTS AND STAFF HAS VARIED ACCORDING TO THE QUALITY OF LEADERSHIP EVIDENT IN ITS OPERATIONS. AS OF 1976, THE PROGRAM WAS DISTRUSTED BY RESIDENTS AND THE ADMINISTRATION. THE REASONS FOR DISTRUST ARE PRESENTED, AND IT IS NOTED THAT THERE ARE ELEMENTS IN THE CURRENT WALLA WALLA SITUATION THAT POINT TO A MORE POSITIVE DIRECTION FOR THE FUTURE OF SELF-GOVERNANCE THERE, ALTHOUGH PERHAPS IN A DIFFERENT FORM THAN THE RGC. (RCB)