NCJ Number
81252
Date Published
1980
Length
11 pages
Annotation
The divergence between West German correctional law and actual correctional practice is attributed to the inherently contradictory corrections goals of offender rehabilitation and protection of society.
Abstract
While rehabilitation efforts have been mandated by law, correctional management guidelines betray a sceptical view towards the possibility of rehabilitating all offenders. Disciplinary measures in institutions are generally deprivational, reinforcing inmates' weaknesses and deviance. Periodic policy reversals are also detrimental to correctional goals, and recent critiques of institutional rehabilitation threaten to undo the positive reeducation being achieved in prisons. In the author's view, institutions are necessary for dangerous offenders but even in such cases treatment efforts are essential. Law requires that prison life resemble normal circumstances as much as possible. Steps must be taken to counteract the known negative effects of institutionalization. Such measures as training, education, leisure activities, better clothing, individual cells, and general improvements to the quality of life in institutional settings should be emphasized. These are desiderata which have not yet been achieved but are likely to enhance the rehabilitative capability of correctional institutions.