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CORRECTING CORRECTIONS - ARE THERE BETTER WAYS? (FROM TENTH ANNUAL INTERAGENCY WORKSHOP - PROCEEDINGS, 1975 SEE NCJ-46564)

NCJ Number
46570
Author(s)
R B MCKAY
Date Published
1975
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THE PROBLEMS OF CORRECTIONS ARE DISCUSSED BY THE FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE NEW YORK STATE SPECIAL COMMISSION ON ATTICA AND THE NEW YORK CITY BOARD OF CORRECTIONS.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR, WHO IS CHAIRMAN OF THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION'S COMMISSION ON CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AND SERVICES, SUGGESTS THAT FAILURES OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO ASSURE HUMANE CONDITIONS OF DETENTION FOR THOSE AWAITING TRIAL, AND TO ASSURE A SPEEDY TRIAL, A FAIR TRIAL PROCESS, FAIR SENTENCING, HUMANE CONDITIONS DURING INCARCERATION, EFFECTIVE PROBATION AND PAROLE SERVICES, AND APPROPRIATE AFTERCARE HAVE BEEN FAILURES IN DIRECTION, NOT FAILURES OF MOTIVATION OR GOOD WILL. SHORTCOMINGS IN SOME OF THE REFORMS THAT HAVE BEEN SUGGESTED FOR ADDRESSING THE CRIME PROBLEM ARE POINTED OUT. THE NEED TO FIND A MIDDLE GROUND BETWEEN A MORATORIUM ON THE BUILDING OF PRISONS AND INSISTENCE ON HARSHER PENALITIES THAT WOULD NECESSITATE A VASTLY INCREASED PRISON SYSTEM IS NOTED. THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM IS DESCRIBED AS 'ADRIFT' WITHOUT A CLEAR SENSE OF WHAT IT IS TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH. THERE IS NO CLEAR DIRECTION BY CONGRESS, BY STATE GOVERNMENTS, OR BY THE PUBLIC AS TO WHAT IS EXPECTED OF CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS -- OR OF OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. A PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT PROBLEM FACING PRISONS INVOLVES THE SENTENCING FUNCTION OF JUDGES. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT A WAY SHOULD BE FOUND TO ASCERTAIN AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE DATE AFTER INCARCERATION EXACTLY WHEN AN INMATE IS TO BE RELEASED. OTHER PROBLEMS RELATE TO THE SIZE OF MAXIMUM SECURITY FACILITIES, THE NEED FOR BETTER PROGRAMMING AIMED AT PREPARING INMATES FOR RELEASE, AND THE NEED TO IMPROVE TRAINING FOR CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS. (LKM)