NCJ Number
134850
Journal
American Jails Volume: 5 Issue: 6 Dated: (January-February 1992) Pages: 84-87
Date Published
1992
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Military jails overseas have both similar and dissimilar experiences from their civilian counterparts in the United States, and one example of an overseas operation is the Naval Brig and Correctional Custody Unit located at the Rota, Spain, Naval Station.
Abstract
The base belongs to the Spanish government, and American forces are present as guests. In order to clear security, all personnel pass through the Spanish military sentry post and have their papers inspected. The brig detains American military personnel awaiting trial and confines military personnel convicted of offenses against the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Sentenced prisoners, to whom the court has not awarded a punitive discharge, serve their time in the brig and then return to their command. Prisoners with punitive discharges are normally transported back to the United States. The Rota brig gets a fairly similar cross-section of offenders as that of civilian jails. The military has its share of unauthorized absences and disobedience of legitimate orders. In addition, the brig deals with offenders charged with substance abuse. Drug offenses, however, are down to 1 percent due to the Navy's zero tolerance policy for drug users. Prisoners have also been sent to the brig for rape, murder, defrauding the government, and national security offenses. There is a correctional custody unit that uses moral rather than physical restraints. Personnel are sent there rather than to the brig for discipline. A biographic sketch of the brig commander is provided along with information on the daily routine, staff selection and involvement, prisoner retraining, and work release.