Key Correctional Issues

by Muraskin, Roslyn

• ISBN13: 9780130358615
• ISBN10: 0130358614
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-01-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall

Summary

This reader discusses a broad range of topical correctional issues to present learners with reference points for further discussion. Placing corrections in historical and social contexts, this unique book seeks to connect correctional issues to broader questions concerning the meanings of and rationales for punishment in the 21st century Selections cover various topics such as suicide, religion, technocorrections, the death penalty, women and minority prisoners, alternatives to incarceration and more, For individuals interested in or pursuing a career in corrections.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Preface

About the Authors and Contributors

Introductory Remarks

The Correctional Key: In/Out, Roslyn Muraskin

Correctional Overview, Roslyn Muraskin

Correctional History, Roslyn Muraskin

Issues in Correction

Changing Goals of Corrections, Roslyn Muraskin

Introduction to ""Prisoner Reentry: The Law of Imprisonment,""Roslyn Muraskin

Prisoner Reentry The Law of Imprisonment, Jeremy Travis

Suicide in Prisons and Jails, Christine Tartaro

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

This work is not your typical Correctional Text. It is neither a text written by one author nor is it primarily a reader, but rather a combination. It highlights those issues relevant to the study of corrections, and is done so in a fashion that is not tedious to read. Corrections continues to be a relevant part of the American Criminal Justice system. It is a complex system fragmented by many programs, agencies, and laws that govern both on the federal and local levels. Many of the facilities as they now exist are overcrowded, barbaric to an extent and have varying philosophies depending on who is in charge. Do we have correctional facilities to punish, to rehabilitate, to do both or neither? Is the death penalty fair and just? Are all "residents" of the correctional facilities treated equally or on a par with each other? Should they be? If prisons are to rehabilitate then why do we have continued recidivism? Why are the sentences in this country longer than any other? and for what purpose? The public seems to know little about the correctional facilities other than the fact that this is where we sendbadpeople. Yet, from a budgetary point of view, corrections is a low priority item. Are prisoners entitled to rights and which rights? Our sentencing process is complex. If we assume that we are to punishallwho break the law, why then is it not done on an equal basis? Accordingly "to begin at the elementary beginning, we have an almost entire absence in the United States of legislative determinations -- of 'law' -- governing the basic questions as to the purposes and justifications of criminal sanctions. Without binding guides on such questions, it is inevitable that individual sentences will strike out on a multiplicity of courses chosen by each decision maker ... The result can be chaos" (Krantz, 1983, pp. 7-8). This material written almost twenty years ago has not changed what goes on today. Historically, the courts held that a prisoner had the status of "slave of the state" with no rights(Ruffin v Commonwealth, 62 Va. (2,l Gratt) 790, 796, 1871as found in Krantz). There existed a philosophy of "hands off." Members of the judiciary believed that once an individual was sentenced, it fell to the correctional officers to direct the activities of the inmates and determine the conditions of confinement. That philosophy ended when the; courts recognized the atrocities that were present in the correctional facilities. This text explains relationships that exist in corrections from both ail historical and twenty-first century point of view. It discusses correctional issues, such as prisoner reentry, changing goals of corrections, suicide, religion, mentally disordered, technocorrections, constitutional rights of prisoners, alternatives to incarceration as well as the concerns of minority prisoners and the death penalty.Key Correctional Issueslinks important issues that present a reference point and allows for further discussion. To all those who contributed to this text, my heartfelt thanks. Each has their own area of expertise, aid therefore bring to the forefront ideas that are fresh and exciting. Many thanks to all my editors at Prentice Hall, including Sarah Holle, who is very dedicated and works so hard with each of her authors. Special thanks to Frank Mortirner, editor, who has been extremely patient with me while developing this text.