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WHY NOT COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS?

NCJ Number
65040
Journal
TEXAS JOURNAL OF CORRECTIONS Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1980) Pages: 12-15
Author(s)
G GARMON
Date Published
1980
Length
4 pages
Annotation
A RATIONALE AND FORM FOR COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS IS DISCUSSED, WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION THE SITUATION IN TEXAS.
Abstract
COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS IS THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE APPROACH FOR THE TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS. COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS COST LESS THAN THOSE REQUIRING TOTAL INSTITUTIONALIZATION, AND ARE ABLE TO MODIFY THE OFFENDER'S BEHAVIOR THROUGH SUPERVISION WITHIN THE NORMS OF COMMUNITY LIFE. THE COMPONENTS OF A COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM ARE ORGANIZATION AND CENTRAL MANAGEMENT OF DIRECT SERVICES, PURCHASED SERVICES, COOPERATIVE SERVICES, AND VOLUNTEER SERVICES. INPUT IS PROVIDED FROM PROFESSIONALS AND THE LAITY. THE EVALUATION COMPONENT OF A COMMUNITY-BASED SYSTEM SURVEYS THE NEED FOR SERVICES AND ASSESSES THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED. PRETRIAL AS WELL AS POSTTRIAL SERVICES SHOULD BE PROVIDED. PRETRIAL ELEMENTS SHOULD INCLUDE SCREENING AND EVALUATION OF PERSONS CONTACTING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, RELEASE ON RECOGNIZANCE, PRETRIAL SUPERVISED RELEASE, AND A MONITORED VOLUNTARY DIVERSIONARY PROGRAM. THE POSTTRIAL CONTINUUM OF SERVICES SHOULD INCLUDE MAXIMUM CUSTODY (JAIL), MINIMUM CUSTODY OF RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT, AND NONRESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS. THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS SYSTEM WOULD BE A BOARD OF THE DISTRICT'S JUDICIARY. THE ADMINISTRATIVE ARM WOULD BE THE ADMINISTRATIVE SECTION OF THE DISTRICT PROBATION DEPARTMENT. PRETRIAL AND POSTTRIAL DIVISIONS WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THOSE COMPONENTS OF THE OVERALL PROGRAM. THE TEXAS CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE PROVIDES THAT STATE FUNDS CAN BE USED TO FUND COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS AND FACILITIES OTHER THAN JAILS AND PRISONS. WITH A REASONABLE INCREASE IN APPROPRIATIONS BY THE LEGISLATURE AND A BROADENING OF THE COURT'S AUTHORITY, THE ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT OF COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED IN TEXAS. (RCB)