WORK RELEASE - CONFLICTING GOALS WITHIN A PROMISING INNOVATION

• NCJ Number: 18315
• Author(s): E H JOHNSON
• Date Published: 1970
• Length: 16 pages
• Corporate Author: Canadian Criminal Justice Assoc
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: Canada
• Note: REPRINT FROM THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CORRECTIONS, V 12, N 1 (JANUARY 1970).

Annotation

THEORY THAT THE MAJOR GOALS SET FOR WORK RELEASE ARE INHERENTLY CONTRADICTORY AND THAT ANY PROGRAM WHICH TRIES TO ACHIEVE ALL PURPOSES AT THE SAME TIME WILL FAIL.

Abstract

THE AUTHOR SUGGESTS THAT THE GOALS FOR A PARTICULAR WORK RELEASE PROGRAM MUST BE SELECTED FROM AMONG THE FOLLOWING: OPERATING WORK RELEASE AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO TOTAL CONFINEMENT; USING WORK RELEASE TO RESHAPE PUBLIC CONCEPTIONS OF THE PRISONER; REDUCING THE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON THE TAX PAYER; MAINTAINING THE LABOR FORCE OF THE FREE COMMUNITY; AND USING WORK RELEASE AS THE FINAL PHASE OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS. OTHER PROGRAM GOALS EXAMINED INCLUDED USING WORK RELEASE AS A PERIOD OF TRANSITION FROM PRISON TO COMMUNITY, AS A MEANS FOR THE INMATE TO MAINTAIN FAMILY TIES, AS A WAY OF REFORMING INMATE ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR, AND AS A WAY OF LENDING NEW FLEXIBILITY TO COURT-PRISON INTERRELATIONSHIPS. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS PROVIDED.