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REFLECTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE ON PRISON SPACE - A SUMMARY

NCJ Number
49463
Journal
NORDISK KRIMINOLOGI NYHETSBREV Issue: 13 Dated: (MARCH 1978)
Author(s)
ANON
Date Published
1978
Length
11 pages
Annotation
THIS SUMMARY OF A FINNISH GOVERNMENT PAPER CONCERNS EFFICIENT USE OF PRISON SPACE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE LACK OF 1,000 INMATE VACANCIES REPORTEDLY EXISTING IN THE COUNTRY'S PRISONS.
Abstract
THE VACANCIES AVAILABLE IN FINNISH PRISONS DO NOT CORRESPOND WITH THE NEEDS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THIS IS MAINLY DUE TO THE DEARTH OF PRISON IMPROVEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION SINCE THE 1930'S. TODAY THERE IS A GREAT NEED FOR SPACES IN OPEN, MINIMUM SECURITY PRISONS. IN ORDER TO USE THE ACCOMMODATIONS NOW AVAILABLE IN THE COUNTRY, THE PAPER SUGGESTS THAT CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER AUTHORITIES WHO HAVE CORRECTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES COOPERATE TO USE FACILITIES ON A MUTUAL BASIS. THIS INCLUDES NATIONAL, LOCAL, AND MILITARY INSTITUTIONS. THIS WOULD REQUIRE A SYSTEM EMPOWERING STAFF UNDER ONE AUTHORITY (SUCH AS THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT) THE RIGHT TO HANDLE INMATES COMING FROM ANOTHER AUTHORITY (SUCH AS LOCAL POLICE). COOPERATIVE USE OF THESE FACILITIES MIGHT HELP KEEP INMATES CLOSER TO THEIR HOMES, READJUST THE UNEQUAL DISTRIBUTION OF FACILITY VACANCIES, AND REDUCE THE EXPENSES OCCURRING FROM INEFFICIENT USE OF SPACE. USING THIS METHOD OF COOPERATIVE FACILITY USE, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT 250 ADDITIONAL INMATE VACANCIES WILL BE NEEDED IN OPEN INSTITUTIONS AND 300 WILL BE NEEDED IN CLOSED INSTITUTIONS. POSSIBILITIES FOR REDUCING THE SIZE OF THE PRISON POPULATION ARE DISCUSSED INCLUDING ALTERNATIVES TO INSTITUTIONALIZATION (E.G., INCREASED USE OF PAROLE AND PROBATION), DECRIMINALIZATION OF SOME OFFENSES, AND A REDUCTION IN SENTENCE LENGTHS. THE PAPER ALSO SUGGESTS THAT NEW INSTITUTIONS BE BUILT OR THAT OLD BUILDINGS BE RECONSTRUCTED. --IN SWEDISH. (DAG)