NCJ Number
11556
Date Published
1973
Length
79 pages
Annotation
CONDITIONS IN FIVE ADJUSTMENT CENTERS, INCLUDING OBSERVATIONS ON THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, STAFF, INMATES, CLASSIFICATION ACTIVITIES, AND PAROLE BOARD APPEARANCES.
Abstract
ADJUSTMENT CENTERS ARE FACILITIES SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO HANDLE PROBLEM PRISONERS, SEGREGATING THEM FROM OTHER INMATES FOR SECURITY PURPOSES. RESEARCH TECHNIQUES EMPLOYED INCLUDED OBSERVATION OF ACTUAL OPERATIONS, GROUP MEETINGS WITH THE INMATES TO DISCUSS THE ADJUSTMENT CENTER PROCESS, INDIVIDUAL INTERVIEWS, AND A SURVEY OF INMATES AND STAFF. THE TARGET GROUPS STUDIED AND COMPARED CONSISTED OF THOSE CURRENTLY IN A CENTER, THOSE WHO HAD SPENT AT LEAST 30 DAYS IN ONE OF THE FACILITIES AND WERE BACK IN THE GENERAL PRISON POPULATION, AND THOSE IN THE GENERAL PRISON POPULATION WHO HAD NEVER BEEN ASSIGNED TO AN ADJUSTMENT CENTER. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT ADJUSTMENT CENTERS ARE USED TOO OFTEN FOR CONVENTIONAL PROBLEMS AND DESCRIBES THE THREE MAJOR PURPOSES FOR WHICH HE FEELS THEY SHOULD BE USED. ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES FOR ENSURING THAT THESE PURPOSES ARE SERVED ARE PROPOSED. THE APPENDIXES CONTAIN SAMPLES OF THE VARIOUS QUESTIONNAIRES USED IN GATHERING INFORMATION FOR THE STUDY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)