NCJ Number
201327
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 67 Issue: 1 Dated: June 2003 Pages: 9-11
Editor(s)
Ellen Wilson Fielding
Date Published
June 2003
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article briefly examines the return of released prisoners into society and the challenge faced by the prison system to create a system of hope, work, and health.
Abstract
The Federal prison system is today the largest coordinated prison system in the world with the philosophy to build prison walls to keep offenders in and keep them apart; however, 99 percent come out. Comprehending this presents a challenge to today’s culture and prison system. Federal prisoners come back to live in neighborhoods. The prison system must attempt to deal with the immature delinquent, the curse of idleness, the importance of health, and the need for hope. There is currently a staggering administrative burden involved in the guarding, employing, educating, and supervising of such a vast number of offenders. It is a reality that prisoners must some day leave penal institutions because it would be unjust to impose long prison terms and, if kept longer, there would be a need to erect twice as many institutions, adding additional costs and the prisoner would still be coming out. A suggestion is made that the administrations of penal institutions make an attempt to create institutions where there is hope rather than despair, work rather than idleness, and health rather than disease.