New
York State's Prison System
Leslie
K. Penny
Module
4.1 Research Assignment 3
Chancellor
University
Abstract
The following essay
addresses two areas in the New York State Prison system, its goals and
management style and how well the correctional system has met the needs of the
correctional clientele. By the 20th
century, the goal was no longer reformation for the New York Corrections
system, it was now simply keeping convicts in secured custody (The Evolution
of the New York Prison System [Part II], 1971). But what of the
21st century? New York prisons today
reference the rehabilitation model in their goals.
New
York State's Prison System
New York's Prison system has seen the changes over the
years, rising from the nineteenth-century era of reform idealism and towering
over inmates like an impenetrable fortress (The Evolution of the New York
Prison System [Part 1], 1971). No matter the different correctional
approaches over the years, the New York prison system has prevailed with one
traditional goal in place and that is custody and reformation of convicted
criminals (The Evolution of the New York
Prison System [Part 1], 1971). However, by the 20th century, the goal was no
longer reformation, it was now simply keeping convicts in secured custody (The Evolution
of the New York Prison System [Part II], 1971). But what of the
21st century?
New York prisons today reference the rehabilitation model
in their goals. According to the book, American Corrections, the definition of
rehabilitation model coincides with the mission statement of NYS Department of
Corrections and Community Supervision.
The definition of rehabilitation model states it is "a model of
correctional institutions that emphasizes the provision of treatment programs
designed to reform the offender" (Clear, 2011). According to DOCCS (Dept. of Corrections and
Community Supervision), they are responsible for the incarceration and
rehabilitation of roughly 54,700 inmates (About DOCCS, 2013).
The goals of the DOCCS concentrate on rehabilitation by
developing and implementing "positive individualized treatment plans for
each offender that includes post release reentry plans; teach offenders the
need for discipline and respect; the importance of a mature understanding of a
work ethic; establish a needs/risk approach to treatment and community
supervision to ensure a continuity of services; provide appropriate medical and
psychiatric services necessary to those requiring such treatment so each
offender can maximize his/her own rehabilitation; and provide a level of
community supervision based on the release's needs and behavior" (The
Departmental Mission, 2013).
The current Commissioner for the city of New York
Department of Corrections, Dora B. Schriro, has made it clear that throughout
her career in corrections she has been committed and involved in sentencing
reform as well as re-entry efforts (About DOC, 2013). Now, she does not preside over the state of
New York's corrections, just the
city. From this writers understanding,
re-entry could go along the model of rehabilitation and reintegration. However, I find the rehabilitation and
reintegration models very similar in that their goal is to reform the inmate for
an eventual return to society.
Apparently New York's methods are paying off. As of next July, four correctional facilities
will be closing down as part of the state's plan to consolidate their
corrections system (Cambell, 2013). According to Anthony Annucci, New York states
commissioner of corrections department, the "closures were brought on by a
declining prison population in New York, from about 71,6000 in 1999 to 54,600
now" which will save the department and estimated $30 million a year in
costs (Cambell, 2013). The huge reduction is attributed to lower
crime rate and drug offenses in New York state (About DOCCS, 2013).
The effectiveness of DOCCS's programs and services they
provide to inmates reflects the reduction in crime. DOCCS provides correctional industries to
teach inmates positive work ethics, "acquire job skills" and
"acceptable work habits by working in a production orientated environment,
operating equipment and meeting production schedules and quality
standards" (Correctional Industries, 2013). Jobs that are taught using the correctional
industries program include: forklift operator, laborer, maintenance mechanic
and production clerk, just to name a few (Correctional Industries, 2013). DOCCS also provides an abatement services
program which teaches inmates all aspects of asbestos, lead, mold and other
hazardous materials abatement procedures (Correctional Industries, 2013).
It is actually a quite impressive list of job skills that
inmates are learning to assist them in their rehabilitation and return as a
functional citizen in our society. An
inmate can choose cast aluminum foundry where they can learn how to mix dry
sand to proper compacting standards, making molds using patterns manufactured
to customer specifications, pouring aluminum at the proper temperature, and
grinding and fishing the casting (Correctional Industries, 2013). Or they learn the techniques used in testing
products under the cleaning and personal care products manufacturing program (Correctional
Industries, 2013).
Other programs offered include: construction/modular
buildings; document conversion; laminated sign engraving; furniture
manufacturing; how to make garments; industrial training program; license plate
shop; mattress manufacturing; metal furniture manufacturing; metal shop; optical
shop; paint brush and roller cover shop; printing plant; sign and silk screen
shop; telephone customer service and upholstery (Correctional Industries, 2013). As long as an inmate meets the admissions
requirements of having a high school diploma or GED then they can learn these
great real life skills (Correctional Industries, 2013).
No GED? That is
not a problem. The DOCCS also provides a
wealth of educational programs to assist in the rehabilitation of inmates such
as academic outreach; adult basic education; a bilingual program; certificate
of ministry and human services; college programs; general education development
(GED); masters of professional studies; special education program; and Title I
program (Education (Academic), 2013). Not to mention substance abuse treatment
services, resource management, and transitional services programs (Education
(Academic), 2013). The DOCCS offers a wealth of assistance and
resources to rehabilitate inmates.
To conclude, it is easy to see that the New York's prison
system goals are to rehabilitate their inmates for re-entry into our society as
educated, skill taught, law abiding citizens.
Perhaps that is why there has been such a large drop in the crime
rate. Perhaps not, but it is hard to
argue against. I believe this system has
gone far and beyond the expectations of not only the inmates but of those who
fight for the rights of inmates. The
programs being offered to them are some that law abiding citizens cannot get
into. I find the programs offered and
the decline in the amount of incarcerated inmates rather impressive and
reflects back on goals of the DOCCS.
Works Cited
About DOC.
(2013). Retrieved 07 28, 2013, from City of New York Department of Correction:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doc/html/about/comm_bio.shtml
About DOCCS. (2013). Retrieved 07 28, 2013, from Department of
Corrections and Community Supervision: http://www.doccs.ny.gov/
Cambell, J. (2013, 07
26). 4 N.Y. prisons, 4 mental-health institutions slated to close .
Retrieved 07 28, 2013, from The Journal News:
http://www.lohud.com/article/20130726/NEWS/307260081/4-N-Y-prisons-4-mental-health-institutions-slated-close
Clear, T. C. (2011). American
Corrections. Belmont: Thomson Wadsworth.
Correctional
Industries. (2013). Retrieved 07 28,
2013, from DOCCS: http://www.doccs.ny.gov/ProgramServices/industries.html#gene
Education
(Academic). (2013). Retrieved 07 28,
2013, from DOCCS: http://www.doccs.ny.gov/ProgramServices/academic.html
The Departmental
Mission. (2013). Retrieved 07 28,
2013, from Department of Corrections and Community Supervision:
http://www.doccs.ny.gov/mission.html
The Evolution of
the New York Prison System [Part 1].
(1971). Retrieved 07 28, 2013, from Correction history:
http://www.correctionhistory.org/html/chronicl/state/html/nyprisons.html
The Evolution of
the New York Prison System [Part II].
(1971). Retrieved 07 28, 2013, from Correction History :
http://www.correctionhistory.org/html/chronicl/state/html/nyprisons2.html
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