Federal Government Information

Boot Camps for Juvenile Offenders. This boot camp program summary defines the program, its goals, and the issues surrounding its use. A study of three experimental boot camps and boot camp success overall is discussed. 1997
J 32.20/2: C15

A National Survey of Aftercare Provisions for Boot Camp Graduates. Research indicates no dramatic difference in recidivism rates for boot camp graduates, but it is hoped that aftercare programs will help deter future crime. This report focuses on 13 U.S. aftercare programs. 1996
J 28.24: AF8

The Community Corrections Center Program in the Bureau of Prisons. One answer for prison overcrowding might be independently owned, cost-efficient community corrections centers. This webpage recommends increasing the number sentenced to these centers.

Oversight of the District of Columbia Department of Corrections National Institute on Corrections Study. Washington D.C.'s Department of Corrections is critically understaffed and underfunded and many prisons are in need of serious repair. This hearing includes a report on the conditions in the Lorton complex and other prisons as well as recommendations for improvement. 1996
Y4.G 74/7: D63/17

Federal Prison Industries, Incorporated. UNICOR is a federal company employing able-bodied prisoners and teaching job skills. This hearing discusses its advantages, that it generates high revenue and low recidivism rates, and its disadvantages, that other businesses cannot compete. 1996
Y4.J89/1: 104/121

Hearing on H.R. 3705. Many prisoners have sued to receive minimum wage for their work in prison industries. This hearing discusses the advantages and the consequences of prison work below minimum wage. 1995
Y4.ED 8/1: 103-113

Public Health/Corrections Collaborations: Prevention and Treatment of HIV/AIDS, STDs, and TB. The American prison population holds a disproportionate number of inmates with these health problems. This research discusses collaborations between prisons and health departments, examines the success of current programs, and makes suggestions for future treatment and prevention. 1998
J 28.24: H88/3

Providing Services for Jail Inmates with Mental Disorders. The steady increase in prison populations will lead to the increased incarceration of those diagnosed with mental disorders. Prisons often have very few mental health services. This publication offers different types of treatment programs for mentally ill inmates and explains how to implement them. 1997
J 28.24: In 6

Programs in Correctional Settings. Many states have developed inmate programs designed to train and to treat offenders. This website explains 21 state programs focused on female inmates, substance abuse, and juvenile offenders, including Illinois' sex offender treatment program.

Correctional Education. This Department of Education webpage defines education in prison, explains what should be taught, and provides statistics on education in the prison population. It is also discusses Acts which provide funding for prison education.

Resolution of Prison Riots. Prison officials are looking for ways to stop prison riots and their resulting injuries and costs. This study looks at eight riotous incidents having successful resolutions and offers resolution strategies. 1995
J 28.24: R 31/2

Two Views on Imprisonment Policies. These two theoretical arguments debate the reasons for the excessive prison population in the United States. Franklin Zimring believes that our nation's similar sentencing of nonviolent and violent prisoners is to blame, while Michael Block theorizes that the lack of punishment for offenders has boosted the crime rate. 1996
J 28.24/3: IM 7

Work Release: Recidivism and Corrections Costs in Washington State. Although work release programs are in decline, an evaluation of Washington's program was positive. One quarter of the work release prisoners made a successful transition into the community, and recidivism was reduced. 1996
J 28.24: W 89

lllinois Government Information

Illinois Correctional Industries-Annual Report Fiscal Year 1998. In efforts to reintegrate offenders into society, the Illinois Department of Corrections provides prison industries and training for the incarcerated. This report includes program goals, sales, productivity, and other statistics. 1998
ILLINOIS 365.65 I29ca 1998

Five-Year Plan for Female Inmates--Fiscal Year 1997 Update. Because of the overwhelming growth in the numbers of Illinois female inmates, a long-term plaan is necessary. This update assesses the current status of the 1995 recommendations and the issues that face incarcerated women. 1997
ILLINOIS 365.43 I29f UPDATE 1997

Legal Information

Title VIII--Prison Litigation Reform Act. This law limits the rights of prisoners in filing lawsuits, including rules about approprriate relief regarding prison conditions, proceedings, screening of lawsuits, and revocation of earned release credit. 1996
P.L. 104-134 110 STAT. 1321-66

"Prison Litigation Reform Act of 1995". This article discusses the PLRA and its provisions against consent decrees. It gives arguments for and against the Act, as well as citations for cases questioning the Constitutionality of the law. 1997
Wisconsin Law Review. 1997, no. 6, pp. 1275-321.

"Bursting at the Seams". This article discusses the compassionate release of AIDS patients from prisons. The author provides statistics and reasons why infected prisoners should be released. Options other than release are examined. 1998
New England Journal of Criminal and Civil Confinement. Summer 1998, pp. 541-597.

Symposium: A Fork In the Road Build More Prisons Or Develop New Strategies To Deal With Offenders. A sharing of views regarding prison alternatives including such topics as recidivism, public perception, alternatives to sentencing and parole, community supervision of juvenile and adult criminals, punishment effectiveness, white-collar offenders, and aftercare programs for ex-offenders.
Southern Illinois University Law Journal. Vol. 23 No. 2 Winter 1999 pp. 285-543

"Ultramasculine Prison Environments and Inmates' Adjustment: It's Time To Move Beyond the 'Boys Will Be Boys' Paradigm". This article explores how environment influences gender development and contends that incarceration and prison boot camps reward aggression, are dominated by reliance upon sex-role stereotypes, and actually deter treatment attempts to change antisocial male behavior. Study findings compare traditional incarceration with prison boot camps.
Justice Quarterly. Vol. 16, No. 4 December 1999 pp. 709-733