NCJ Number
61677
Journal
Indian Journal of Criminology Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: (JULY 1978) Pages: 87-89
Date Published
1978
Length
3 pages
Annotation
THE CURRENT CHARACTER AND PROBLEMS OF CORRECTIONAL WORK PROGRAMS IN INDIA ARE DISCUSSED AND SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT ARE OFFERED.
Abstract
PRESENTLY, INDIAN JAIL MANUALS REQUIRE SUITABLE WORK ASSIGNMENTS FOR ALL OFFENDERS COMMITTED TO 'RIGOROUS IMPRISONMENT.' THE PATTERN IS FOR EACH INSTITUTION TO SPECIALIZE IN A FEW WORK PROGRAMS IN WHICH INMATES MUST PARTICIPATE, REGARDLESS OF INDIVIDUAL SKILLS, APTITUDE, OR INTERESTS. AN ENCOURAGING TREND IS THE OPENING OF A NUMBER OF AGRICULTURAL CAMPUSES (OPEN PRISONS) FOR SELECTED INMATES (THE INDIAN OFFENDER POPULATION GENERALLY HAS AN AGRICULTURAL BACKGROUND). SOME PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED WHICH HINDER THE EFFECTIVENESS OF WORK PROGRAMS IN PREPARING INMATES FOR WORK AFTER RELEASE INCLUDE (1) POOR STAFF ATTITUDES TOWARD THE ROLE OF WORK PROGRAMS IN REHABILITATING INMATES, (2) LOW MOTIVATION OF INMATES FOR PARTICIPATION IN WORK PROGRAMS, (3) INADEQUATE CLASSIFICATION PROCEDURES FOR ASSIGNING INMATES TO APPROPRIATE WORK PROGRAMS, (4) LITTLE USE OF MONETARY AND NONMONETARY INCENTIVES FOR PARTICIPATION IN WORK PROGRAMS, (5) NOT ENOUGH WORK PROGRAMS TO MAKE CLASSIFICATION OF INMATES MEANINGFUL, (6) A SHORTAGE OF QUALIFIED STAFF TO RUN WORK PROGRAMS, (7) INADEQUATE MACHINERY AND TOOLS USED IN WORK PROGRAMS, AND (8) LACK OF PLACEMENT OF EXINMATES IN JOBS RELATED TO TRAINING RECEIVED IN PRISON. A COMPREHENSIVE POLICY TOWARD WORK PROGRAMS NEEDS TO BE DEVELOPED, WITH THE GOAL OF IMPLEMENTING IT IN ALL CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES. THIS SHOULD LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CENTRAL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FOR INMATES, THE DEVELOPMENT OF A WIDE RANGE OF WORK PROGRAMS RELATED TO THE JOB MARKET, AND THE CREATION OF EMPLOYMENT COUNSELING AND PLACEMENT. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)