NCJ Number
46233
Date Published
1977
Length
209 pages
Annotation
A CRISIS EXISTS IN THE CANADIAN PENITENTIARY SYSTEM; THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LARGE-SCALE REFORM WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF RESTORING DISCIPLINE IS RECOMMENDED, AND SPECIFIC REFORMS ARE SUGGESTED.
Abstract
SEVEN YEARS OF COMPARATIVE PEACE IN THE PENITENTIARY SYSTEM ENDED IN 1970 WITH A SERIES OF RIOTS, STRIKES, MURDERS, AND HOSTAGE-TAKING. IN THE 42 YEARS BETWEEN 1932 AND 1974 THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 65 SUCH INCIDENTS; YET, IN THE 2 YEARS BETWEEN 1974 AND 1976, THERE WERE 69 MAJOR INCIDENTS, INCLUDING 35 HOSTAGE-TAKINGS. THE SUBCOMMITTEE WAS CHARGED WITH THE TASK OF SEEKING REDRESS OF THE ROOT CAUSES OF THIS EXPLOSION OF THIS EXPLOSION IN VIOLENCE: THIS EFFORT IS DESCRIBED IN THE FRAMEWORK OF SPECIFIC PROBLEMS, FOR WHICH RECOMMENDATIONS ARE PRESENTED. THE HISTORY OF CORRECTIONS IN THE 19TH AND 20TH CENTURIES IS REVIEWED AS ARE THE INDIVIDUAL MAXIMUM SECURITY INSTITUTIONS THAT MAKE UP THE PENITENTIARY SYSTEM. THE PURPOSES OF IMPRISONMENT ARE EXAMINED WITH ATTENTION TO THE SCOPE OF THE FEDERAL SYSTEM, ESSENTIAL CONDITIONS DURING CONFINEMENT, PUNISHMENT BY LAW AND ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION. THE CORRECTIONAL STAFF IS ALSO EXAMINED IN TERMS OF STAFF ATTITUDES. AND TRAINING, CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, WOMEN EMPLOYEES, AND REMOVAL OF UNSUITABLE STAFF. THE ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PENITENTIARY SERVICE IS DETAILED; STAFF-INMATE RATIOS, DECENTRALIZED DECISIONMAKING, REGIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES, SECURITY POLICY FORMULATION, AND UNION ACTIVITIES ARE DISCUSSED. THE STATE OF JUSTICE WITHIN THE SYSTEM IS REVIEWED; INMATE ORGANIZATIONS, LIBRARIES AND GRIEVANCES ARE EXAMINED AS ARE THE USE OF TRANSFERS, TEAR GAS AND THE RULE OF LAW IN CONTROLLING ACTUAL AND ANTICIPATED CONFRONTATIONS. WORK, EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS ARE ALSO DISCUSSED; THE PRISON SOCIAL ORDER, THE SUBSTITUTING OF WORK FOR IDLENESS, PRISON INDUSTRY AND INSTITUTIONAL MAINTENANCE, AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND EDUCATION ARE OVERVIEWED. SOCIALIZATION PROGRAMS AND THE INSTITUTIONS THEMSELVES ARE REVIEWED IN TERMS OF BUILDING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AND SPECIAL PROBLEMS AFFECTING INMATES: MEDICAL SERVICES: FEMALE OFFENDERS, PROTECTIVE CUSTODY, SEXUAL OFFENDERS, INMATE DRUG ADDICTS, MENTALLY DISTURBED INMATES, AND INSTITUTIONAL EXPERIMENTATION. PRERELEASE PROGRAMS AND THE PAROLE SYSTEM ARE CONSIDERED AND AS WITH EACH OF THE OTHER CATEGORIES OF STUDY, DETAILED RECOMMENDATIONS ARE PRESENTED FOR UPGRADING OF POLICY AND PROCEDURES IN AN EFFORT TO RETURN DISCIPLINE AND ORDER TO THE PENITENTIARY SYSTEM. THE APPENDIXES CONTAIN SPECIAL REPORTS ON MILLHAVEN AND ON THE CORRECTIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER, AND LISTS OF WITNESSES, INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS WHO SUBMITTED BRIEFS AND LETTERS TO THE SUB-COMMITTEE. NO INDEX OR REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (KBL)