Specifying the Relationship Between Crime and Prisons

There is no scholarly consensus as to the proper functional form of the crime equation, particularly with regard to one critical, explanatory variable—prison population. The critical questions are whether crime and prison rates must be differenced, whether they are cointegrated, and whether they are simultaneously determined—whether crime and prison cause one another. To determine the proper specification, different researchers have applied unit-root, cointegration, and Granger tests to very similar data sets and obtained very different results. This has led to very different specifications and predictably different implications for public policy. These differences are more likely to be due to the methods used, rather than to real differences among the data sets. When the best available methods are used to identify the proper specification for a panel of U.S. states, results are fairly clear. Crime rates and prison populations are close to unit-root; crime and prison are not cointegrated; crime clearly affects subsequent prison populations. Thus the best specification of the crime equation must rely on differenced data and instrumental variables. Alternative specifications run a substantial risk of spurious results.

Prisoners,Prisons and Punishment in Small Societies

This paper aims to analyse the subject of prisoners, prisons and punishment in small societies. An attempt is made to compare the prison system in a small society (Iceland) with those of other larger societies, in particular those of other Nordic countries. Small institutions function better in many respects than larger ones. The problems that emerge, and there are problems in all prisons, are more visible and can therefore more easily be discussed and solved.     

Prisons,Proportionality and Recent Penal History

A leading aim of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 was to install the principle of proportionality as the primary rationale for sentencing and to bring about a reduction in the use of imprisonment.  In the decade that followed the prison population in England and Wales rose steeply.  This article examines the reasons for the rising use of prison, in order to assess whether proportionality (or ‘just deserts’) was tried and failed.  It argues that in practice the proportionality principle was overwhelmed by other influences, and that deterrence and incapacitation were the main drivers of the increasing use of imprisonment.  The article goes on to argue that proportionality theories have within them the resources to produce penal moderation, notably the ‘drowning out’ argument, the human rights argument, and decrementalism.  The article concludes by rejecting the claim that proportionality theories are likely in practice to result in escalating punishment.     

Prisons in transition

The role of the prison has changed, in some ways dramatically, over the last two decades. The prison population has grown and its composition has altered. There has been an increase in the depth and weight of imprisonment, and a hardening of its emotional tone. Prisoners' voices have been silenced, outcomes have deteriorated, and yet public presentation of the prison has improved. Power has shifted upwards, as senior managers have an unprecedented grip on establishments and their 'performance'. There are new fantasies about, and constructions of, the prison's role, with little evidence to support such public and political dreams. Such sleights of hand are only possible without knowledge of the prison's interior life. Punitive prisons which treat prisoners, and possibly prison staff, unfairly and with little or no respect add to human suffering and do not address either the problem of crime or the problem of public fear.     

澳大利亚的家庭监狱

在西方国家,将犯人关进监狱是一件很费钱的事。通常关押一名犯人一年的综合花费约3万美元,瑞典、挪威等北欧国家的平均花费更达到5万美元。这比培养一名大学生花费还要多。巨大的花费本想以人道的待遇“教育改造”犯罪人,使其成功复归社会,但是,高累犯率、再犯率,现实地宣告了“教育改造”理想的破灭。目前,犯罪率居高不下使许多西方国家的监狱人满为患,狱内环境和条件越来越恶劣,而建造新监狱的高额花费使得政府财政不胜负担。同时,监狱在教育改造犯罪人方面的弊端日益明显。监狱作为集中关押犯人的专门场所,也是一个交流和传播犯罪方法、…     

ISO9001：2000国际标准在监狱管理工作中的应用与实践

随着我国法律制度的日趋完善，监狱作为我国刑罚执行的主体，如何有效地贯彻“以改造人为宗旨”的工作方针，努力推进监狱管理工作的法制化、科学化、社会化建设的基本思想，适应当今监狱管理工作的形势？如何通过监狱干警的公正执法，把服刑人员改造成为自食其力的公民，提高监狱的教育改造质量？如何应用科学的管理方法，推进监狱管理工作的标准化？     

2006年浙江省在押罪犯主要犯罪类型的犯罪原因调查

一、全省监狱在押罪犯的主要犯罪类型 2006年，浙江省在押罪犯的主要犯罪类型有：盗窃、抢劫、伤害、强奸、杀人、寻衅滋事等，其中犯盗窃罪的占押犯总数的36．06％；犯抢劫罪的占33．2％；犯伤害罪的占10．25％；犯强奸罪的占4．98％；犯杀人罪的占4．7％；犯寻衅滋事罪1894人，占2．52％。     

Parenting Programs in Women's Prisons

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a national survey of parenting programs in women's prisons. Parenting programs may be defined as those programs that specifically address the woman's role as mother and attempt to facilitate her performance of that role, and/or aid in the development of parental skills. These programs range from parenting classes of a few hours to nurseries where imprisoned women and their infants can live together during the term of imprisonment. The need for such programs is also discussed.     

Crime Prevention,Crime Repression,and Policing: Attitudes of Police Recruits Towards Their Role in Crime Control

This article presents the initial results of a 5‐year longitudinal study of police officers’ attitudes about themselves, their profession, crime, and their role in society. The study sample was comprised of graduating classes at l'École Nationale de Police du Québec in 2003. Graduates completed an anonymous multiple choice questionnaire designed for a similar study conducted in the 1990s in France (Monjardet & Gorgeon, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1999). The complete study will track attitude change in these recruits over the first 5 years of their police careers. Results from the first year point to a change in officers’ attitudes resulting from the shock of actually working as police officers and the recruits’ preconceived notions of what police work would be like. Training and education could be adapted to better prepare police recruits for this transitional shock, including changes in mechanisms used to integrate recruits, improvements in police organizations, and increased organizational support for new members. We also suggest ways of identifying areas where continued education would improve the overall quality of police work.     

加强监所管理不断提高教育改造质量保持监所安全稳定

这次会议是部党组研究决定召开的一次重要会议，主要任务是：以邓小平理论和“三个代表”重要思想为指导，深入贯彻落实科学发展观，全面贯彻落实党的十七大和十七届四中全会精神，认真学习贯彻中央领导同志关于加强监狱劳教工作的重要批示精神，部署当前和今后一个时期加强监狱劳教所管理工作任务，大力提升管理水平，促进罪犯劳教人员教育改造和教育挽救工作，确保监狱劳教场所持续安全稳定，为促进经济平稳较快发展、维护社会和谐稳定作出积极贡献。     

刑事司法发展与监狱改革

中国司法部设监狱管理局,管理和指导全国监狱工作。按我国法律规定,中国监狱依法收押改造经人民法院判处有期徒刑、无期徒刑、死刑缓期二年执行的罪犯。目前,全国共有监狱674所,全国现有在职监狱人民警察28万人,离退休警察约10万余人,在押罪犯为156万余人,监禁率为10万分之120。2004年底,中国政府积极推进司法体制和工作机制改革,提出了改革和完善诉讼制度,切实解决方便人民群众诉讼,加大人民法院判决执行力度问题;改革和完善诉讼收费制度,加大法律援助和司法救助力度问题;改革和完善监督体制,确保司法公正等10个方面35项改革任务,成为新中…     

Social Connection to Neighbors,Multiple Victimization,and Current Health Among Women Residing in High Crime Neighborhoods

This study assessed current health [physical health, bodily pain, global distress, posttraumatic stress-related disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and illicit substance use] among 160 minority women residing in high crime areas with varying numbers of different types of victimization histories and varying levels of social connections (SCs) to neighbors. Multivariate analyses of covariance indicated a main effect for number of different types of victimization and for SC to neighbors, after considering ethnicity, immigration, and marital status. Women with two or three+ different types of victimization reported higher global distress, PTSD symptoms, and illicit substance use than women with zero or one type of victimization. Likewise, women with low levels of SC to neighbors reported higher bodily pain than women with high levels of SCs to neighbors.     

Women Corrections Officers in Men's Prisons

ABSTRACT

Women have worked as corrections officers (COs) in some adult male prisons in most states for the past two decades. However, the degree of acceptance of women COs and the perception of women officers' job performance by men officers have varied greatly. This study was based on the results of a survey of men and women officers working in men's prisons in a midwestern state. Comparisons of the officers' responses about women's acceptance, safety, and perceived job performance revealed some significant gender differences. The results indicated that while women faced some resistance among men officers, it was not to the extent suggested by previous research studies, and the resistance came primarily from more experienced men officers. Women officers were confident of their ability to work effectively in men's prisons. The resistance to women that persists among some men officers is likely to provide an obstacle for women seeking opportunities for advancement and promotion in adult male prisons.