NCJ Number
87774
Editor(s)
W Clifford,
J Braithwaite,
J Sandry
Date Published
1982
Length
596 pages
Annotation
This discussion of corrections in 11 countries in the Asian and Pacific Region, as well as Hong Kong, considers these areas: prison industry, remands, the status of prison officers and human rights, prisoners' exchange arrangements, the problem of drug-abusing inmates, and accreditation and international status.
Abstract
Corrections is portrayed for the countries of Australia, Canada, Fiji, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Each country reports on the costs and benefits of its prison industry. Generally, policy in the countries is that a convicted offender has the obligation to work when sent to prison, both as a form of discipline and an important element of gaining the skills necessary to function legitimately upon release. The high and still increasing remand population is a critical problem in the countries of the region, and it is beyond the control of prison administrators, since it stems from the policies of police and courts. Throughout the region, there is concern with the status and future of prison personnel. Better conditions for prisoners and a preoccupation with prisoners' rights have intensified the prison officers' sense of isolation and insignificance. All countries feel the need to raise standards for the benefit of prison officers and to help them feel appreciated and protected. A significant number of the countries do not have provision for exchange arrangements for prisoners. Some are indifferent toward or not supportive of such arrangements. The drug-abusing inmates are increasing in number for most of the countries, presenting the need for special drug treatment programs as well as security measures to counter the growing problem of inmate drug trafficking. Throughout the region, prison services have accepted the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules as appropriate for determining conditions and operating procedures. Corrections tabular data accompany most of the reports. For individual entries, see NCJ-87775-87.