Clear and Cole - Chapter 14: Institutional Programs

Our text says that the MEDIAN time prisoners spend in prisons is about
27 months. In Illinois, it's about 13 months, but misleading because
of "60 day wonders." But, whether long-term or short-term, prisoners
must have something to do.

How do inmates "manage time?" Programs are one way.

A prison program: "Any formal, structured activity that takes
prisoners out of their cells and sets them to instrumental tasks."

Prison programs are constrained by:
  1) Security
  2) Resources
  3) Public opinion
  4) Politics

PRINCIPLE OF LEAST ELIGIBILITY: The doctrine that prisoners ought
to receive no goods or services in excess of those available to
persons who live within the law.

But, prison programs serve many functions. Arguments FOR programs:

   1) Control (a power chit)
   2) Reduces tensions
   3) Humanitarianism
   4) Rehabilitation/reduce recidivism (eg, education)
   5) Facilitates return to society

Prisoners ARE NOT given, or assigned to, programs just for the asking. There 
are generally classification and other criteria to be met prior to placement.
PROGRAMS ARE PRIVILEGES!!! THEY ARE NOT RIGHTS! When we say "prisoners
have programs," it does not mean that all prisoners are eligible or that
they all get them. Prisoner classification (by security level, qualifications,
and other criteria) shape what they get.

There are different types of programs:

REHABILITATION

   1) Psychological (psychological or behavioral therapy)
   2) Vocational
   3) Educational
   4) Religious
   5) Sex Offender
   6) Anger management
   7) Athletics
   8) "Self-help/expression" (music, art)
   9) Outside programs (eg, JAYCEES)

INSTRUMENTAL

   1) Prison Industry
   2) Prison maintenance
   3) Contract labor and lease systems 

Programs are linked to rehabilitation and institutional security.

HOW DO PRISONERS GET INTO PROGRAMS?

  --They are  privilege, and must be earned
  --Classification for need, eligibility, prison behavior
  --Availability
Questions:

1) Do prisoners really NEED programs?
2) Are programs effective?
3) What would prisons (or prisoners) be like WITHOUT programs?
4) There is an adage: "Security beings with programs." What does this mean?
5) Taking a cost-benefit approach, are programs GOOD BUSINESS?

MEDICAL NEEDS: The book (but NOT me) classifies medical resources as a
program. Although I don't consider it a program, we should talk about
medical needs of prisoners:

  --mental health
  --Aging/geriatric issues
  --Chronic issues brought in from streets
  --Common health problems (such as hypertension, diabetes)
  --Maintaining health in prison
  --Diet
  --Costs

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