Corrections: The Essentials. Chapter 17 Book Report
Chapter 17 of the book Corrections: The Essentials gives an insight to correction policies and correction procedures in the 21st century. It also tries to clarify the meaning and significance of some concepts and methods concerning correction proceedings.
The chapter introduces decarceration as a government policy of cutting down either the number of persons jailed or the rate of imprisonment on a particular territory and gives the reader a better understanding of what is causing it. The chapter tries to define why we might be entering an age of Penal Help and exiting a period of Penal Harm. Firs of all, it might be caused by a significant change in the nature of the justice system and in corrections in particular. For example, the repealing of harsh sentences, the introduction of laws to liberalize marijuana use, the increase in the use of rehabilitation and others.
The reader also gets an insight into the value of relationships in corrections. If relationships among the staff of an organization as well as among the staff and offenders are characterized by respect and concern, the possibility of costly lawsuits, riots, staff turnover and general stress are less likely. The author is concerned that as long as correctional environments do not stimulate some positive relationships between staff and prisoners,both will experience physical and psychological troubles. After reading Chapter 17 one may obtain a basic understanding of the potential problems with privatization. A recent survey has proven that the private sector struggles with some major problems, such as drug use, escapes, and staff turnover. The Walnut Grove Facility in Florida and the CCA prison in Idaho are some examples of private prison failures. When profit competes with professional staffing the former often wins, and the considerations turned to increase income, unfortunately, have negative consequences on inmates and staff.
In conclusion, corrections in the 21st century are a very impotant but rather complex element of the justice system that should be examined together with many other …
