Prison, Probation, or Parole: A Probation Office Reports
ISBN: 9780816663279
Platform/Publisher: JSTOR / University of Minnesota Press
Digital rights: Users: unlimited; Printing: chapter; Download: chapter
Subjects: Law;

Much has been written and published about the pressing problems of prison reform, but this book differs from most of the others because it goes more deeply to the heart of the question. The author speaks with the authority of years of experience in the corrections field, yet his analysis and proposals are not only those of an outstanding professional but those of a deeply committed humanist as well. Mr. Keve provides a balanced picture of prison problems, showing in understandable terms what happens to both inmates and staff when they are confined together in a traditional prison. He points out that problems of management, communication, and staff training are especially acute in a typical prison, demonstrating, with examples, the reasons why severe stress and recurring disturbances will always be part of the prison experience as long as the present large security institutions are maintained. He gives special attention to the effects on prison life of parole board decisions, and of recent relevant court decisions. He also discusses the particular problems of women's institutions. The author concludes that because of increased awareness by both courts and prison inmates of prisoner rights, the time is coming shortly when our prisons will be considered virtually inoperable, and new alternatives will have to be developed. He devotes a full chapter to consideration of fifteen concepts or suggestions that could lead to improvement of prisons. In a final chapter he discusses the kinds of programs he thinks must be developed as alternative resources to replace prison sentences for most offenders.


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