Special National Workshop - State Legislative Strategies for Correctional Reform - Workshop Proceeding - Criminal Justice Research Utilization Program, May 19-20, 1980

• NCJ Number: 77110
• Author(s): G D Reiner; E Scullin; C Fox; S S Steinberg
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 81 pages
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored

Annotation

Proceedings from the 1980 Special National Workshop on State Legislative Strategies for Correctional Reform are presented; the workshop was held to examine the major correctional reform issues currently facing State legislators around the country.

Abstract

These issues include prison overcrowding, prison conditions, sentencing alternatives, and alternative correctional programs. Legislators from approximately 20 States were invited to share their experiences, legislative initiatives, and strategies. The workshop was sponsored by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). A description of the three elements of NIJ's Research Utilization Program -- Research Utilization Workshops, Special National Workshops, and Field Test Support -- precedes the workshop proceedings. The speeches include the keynote address given by the Special Prison Master to the Federal District Court for the District of Rhode Island on some current underlying problems in corrections, a speech by the Executive Director of the National Prison Project of the American Civil Liberties Union on State legislative strategies for correctional reform, and a speech by a journalist and researcher on the importance of parole as a safeguard against sentencing abuse. In addition, the document contains the edited remarks of the State of Indiana panel concerning implementation of the adult penal code, the juvenile code, and the corrections code between 1977-80; the remarks of the State of Minnesota panel concerning the Community Corrections Act of 1973; and the remarks of the State of Florida panel outlining legislative efforts at prison reform in Florida, including efforts to relieve overcrowding. In addition, the State of Maryland panel outlines recent political history in the State and its relationship to correctional reform. A summary of small group sessions covers the areas of State correctional problems and causes, legislative initiatives, and legislative strategies for correctional reform. A workshop agenda, a list of workshop planning committee members, and a workshop participant list are included.