Corrections
LWVMD Supports
- alternatives to incarceration in state prisons, e.g., community correctional facilities, halfway houses, group homes, and other community-based services.
- a well-staffed correctional system that provides effective training and adequate salaries for the correctional services staff.
- a probation system that
(a) is an integral and adequately funded component of the correctional system.
(b) facilitates the behavioral change of clients through cooperation and interaction among community, agency, and departmental resources. These resources, including substance abuse programs, work empowerment, parenting skills, mental health counseling, and child/sex abuse treatment, should be available to every client who needs them.
(c) recruits and retains probation agents; provides a career ladder for field agents; and gives them manageable workloads, time flexibility, and office resources to do in-depth risk and needs assessments, to develop treatment plans, to make referrals for services, and assist in getting clients accepted in programs, and to follow up on client participation in programs. There should be appropriate office facilities, private space, and technological and clerical support to allow agents sufficient involvement with clients.
(d) includes intensive as well as lower levels of supervision of clients.
- a Maryland prison system which provides:
(a) a humane physical and psychological setting by the adoption, monitoring, and enforcement of standards with respect to:
-- temperature, ventilation, light and noise control;
-- medical, dental, and mental health care;
-- classification services;
-- fair, non-abusive, non-racist treatment by staff;
-- living space;
-- daily exercise;
-- nutrition;
-- personal safety;
-- visitation.
(b) useful activities (work training, education, counseling, treatment programs) for a substantial part of the work week.
(c) adequate programs which create and enhance self-worth and facilitate community reintegration and economic self-sufficiency, including:
-- substance abuse treatment programs throughout incarceration;
-- ongoing counseling programs;
-- education, literacy, and vocational training;
-- reintegration services for all inmates prior to release and encouragement, with strong incentives, to participate in these programs.
(d) space and security staff adequate to support program activities.
- the correctional system's active encouragement of the use of qualified and trained volunteers.
- a significant citizen role in setting, reviewing, and monitoring correctional policy.
- the use of pre-sentence investigations.