NCJ Number
129654
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 53 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1991) Pages: 32,34,36
Date Published
1991
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Unit management, a decentralized approach to institution management, emerges as a different way to manage existing programs rather than as another institution program.
Abstract
The concept of unit management evolved over several years and allows considerable flexibility in practice. Ten guidelines are proposed as a means to realize the full potential of the unit management approach: (1) support of the concept on the part of top-level administration; (2) written policy guidelines; (3) a table of organization that includes unit managers at a department head level; (4) a population size based on the unit's mission; (5) permanent assignment of inmates and staff to the unit; (6) appropriate staffing patterns; (7) correctional officer coverage and unit staff supervision; (8) location of staff office on the unit or as near the unit as possible; (9) formal and ongoing training of unit personnel; and (10) regularly scheduled unit management audits. At present, a significant number of correctional administrators are committed to the unit management system. Until a better system is devised, it appears to be a viable alternative for corrections management. 2 references