NCJ Number
29427
Date Published
1975
Length
221 pages
Annotation
THIS TEXT REPORTS THE RESULTS OF AN EXTENSIVE STUDY OF ONE OF THE OLDEST WORK FURLOUGH PROGRAMS IN THE UNITED STATES, AND SUGGESTS METHODS FOR IMPROVED OPERATIONS IN JURISDICTIONS INITIATING OR OPERATING SUCH PROGRAMS.
Abstract
THE WORK FURLOUGH PROGRAM IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY WAS INITIATED IN 1957 BY THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. THIS STUDY EVALUATED THE GOALS, ASSUMPTIONS AND METHODS OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY PROGRAM. THE VARIOUS FACETS OF THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND THE COUNTY JAIL ARE DESCRIBED, AND NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE ASPECTS OF THE WORK FURLOUGH PROGRAM ARE OUTLINED. WITHIN THE THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK OF AN INTEGRATIVE THEORY OF PUNISHMENT, SEVERAL HYPOTHESES GUIDED THIS STUDY IN THE DESCRIPTION AND EVALUATION OF VARIOUS FACETS OF BOTH THE COUNTY JAIL AND WORK FURLOUGH PROGRAM. THE RESULTS INDICATED THAT THE PROGRAM IS WORTHWHILE. IT WAS FOUND TO BE A FINANCIAL SUCCESS AND APPEARED TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM; HOWEVER, IT ALSO SEEMED TO HAVE SOME DELETERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. FOR EXAMPLE, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE INMATES BECOME EMBITTERED AND THEIR LOW STATUS TENDS TO BE PERPETUATED. THE TEXT OFFERS SUGGESTIONS ON HOW AN IMPROVED PROGRAM COULD BE ACHIEVED, HOW THE POSITIVE ASPECTS CAN BE MAINTAINED, AND HOW NEGATIVE ASPECTS MAY BE MINIMIZED.