NCJ Number
64094
Date Published
1979
Length
294 pages
Annotation
ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION THAT ARE BEING USED OR IMPLEMENTED IN SEVERAL NATIONS OUTSIDE THE U.S. ARE SUGGESTED FOR COUNTRIES INTERESTED IN CHANGING THE OUTMODED, USELESS, AND WASTEFUL PRISON SYSTEM.
Abstract
ADDRESSED TO MEMBERS OF THE BAR, THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM, THE CORRECTION SYSTEM, COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS LEADERS, AND OTHERS WHO HAVE THE POWER TO INSTIGATE CHANGE, THESE ALTERNATIVES ARE BASED ON THE PREMISE THAT EXISTING CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS NEITHER DETER CRIMINAL ACTS, SAFEGUARD THE PUBLIC FROM THE CRIMINAL, NOR RESOCIALIZE THE CONVICTED PERSON. THE DESCRIPTIONS OF ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS HAIL FROM AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, CANADA, DENMARK, ENGLAND AND WALES, THE NETHERLANDS, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, JAPAN, AND SWEDEN. THEIR DIRECTIONS SUPPORT A NEW CONCERN FOR THE VICTIM, THE ACCUSED, AND THE CONVICTED, AS WELL AS FOR THE CITIZEN WHO MUST PAY THE PRICE OF WHATEVER SYSTEM IS USED. THE NEW ORDER IS BASED ON GREATER PUBLIC CONCERN AND SUPPORT OF MORE DESIRABLE AND HUMANE SYSTEMS FOR CORRECTING PEOPLE'S SOCIALLY UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR. AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE HELPS TO SHOW THAT THE SOCIAL SYSTEM OF A COUNTRY IS REFLECTED IN ITS CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM. IN COUNTRIES WHERE THE PUBLIC HAS BEEN BROUGHT INTO THE CORRECTIONS PICTURE, THERE HAS BEEN GOOD SUPPORT FOR IMPROVING RESOCIALIZATION METHODS. SHARING OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE INTERNATIONALLY MAY HELP NATIONS TO ADVANCE THEIR CORRECTIONS TECHNOLOGY. APPENDIXES SHOWING STATISTICAL INFORMATION AND NOTES SUPPORT THE TEXT, AND A SUBJECT AND AN AUTHOR INDEX ARE PROVIDED. (MHP)