U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

PRISONERS IN AMERICA

NCJ Number
10705
Author(s)
L E OHLIN
Date Published
1973
Length
223 pages
Annotation
COLLECTION OF ESSAYS ON THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM, WHICH CRITICALLY APPRAISES THE PRESENT SERVICES AND STRONGLY URGE FOR REFORM.
Abstract
THE ESSAYS IN THIS VOLUME CRITICALLY APPRAISE CORRECTIONAL POLICIES AND PRACTICES, AND STRONGLY URGE ADULT AND JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM. A JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM MUST GRANT YOUNG PEOPLE THE CONSTITUTIONAL SAFEGUARDS NOW GRANTED ADULTS, SHOULD NOT IMPOSE PENAL SANCTIONS FOR ESSENTIALLY NONCRIMINAL ACTS, AND SHOULD TRANSFER WELFARE, EDUCATIONAL AND FAMILIAL PROBLEMS TO THOSE COMMUNITY AGENCIES CAPABLE OF DEALING WITH THEM MORE ABLY THAN THE COURTS. ONE EMINENT CRIMINOLOGIST, DONALD CRESSEY, EXAMINES THE DEHUMANIZING AND CRIMINALIZING EFFECTS OF INSTITUTIONAL CONFINEMENT AND PROPOSES THE ABOLITION OF PRISONS. OTHER AUTHORS EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES OF DECRIMINALIZING CERTAIN OFFENSES, AND SUGGEST SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES TO DIVERT THE OFFENDER FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT RESOURCES. ADDITIONAL MATERIAL QUESTIONS THE FORM THAT POLICY REVIEW AND EVALUATION OF PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS SHOULD TAKE, AND DISCUSSES ISSUES STEMMING FROM RECENT DECISIONS ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CONFINED. THE AUTHORS IN 'PRISONERS IN AMERICA' REFLECT THE GROWING CONCERN ABOUT THE PLACE OF TREATMENT AND PUNISHMENT, AND THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF CORRECTIONS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED) (SNI ABSTRACT)