NCJ Number
69940
Date Published
1969
Length
58 pages
Annotation
This report describes the South Carolina corrections system and its staff and training and recommends higher salaries, better training, and other changes to improve corrections staff quality.
Abstract
A recent study shows that the education and training of corrections staff in South Carolina is neither uniform nor adequate. Various corrections agencies within the system duplicate training efforts and do not communicate with each other. Moreover, manpower and funding shortages and large corrections staff turnover exacerbate the effects of poor training. A favorable climate for reform now exists, however, due to major improvements in the South Carolina corrections system over the past 10 years. Two recent correctional directors, MacDougall and Luke, eliminated many corrupt practices and cruelty toward prisoners. Today, South Carolina prisons aim to rehabilitate annd teach skills as well as to imprison. The principal reception, detention, training, and juvenile facilities and their activities for prisoners are described. A survey of 257 correctional officers reveals that the average officer has a tenth grade education, goes to work for corrections at age 41, and stays with the Department for 4 years. Only 22 percent of the officers have had previous related experience. Initial training consists of a short lecture and giving out a manual. New officers may go to work on the same day they are hired. Although promotion technically requires study and examinations, many officers are promoted without them. Salaries remain low even for supervisors. Problems encountered by parole and probation staff are also discussed. It is recommended that formal training academies be established for corrections officials, better coordination among departments be fostered and funding be upgraded. Tables, exhibits, and a map are included.