Correctional Services Chapter 14

The Social Problems of Delinquency and Crime Economically it is estimated that delinquency and crime cost the people of the United States today more than $300 million annually. Economically it is estimated that delinquency and crime cost the people of the United States today more than $300 million annually. In 2000 the prison population grew to 1.9 million inmates. In 2000 the prison population grew to 1.9 million inmates. According to the 1999 U.S. crime clock, a murder is committed in our country every 34 minutes. According to the 1999 U.S. crime clock, a murder is committed in our country every 34 minutes.

Social Work and Corrections The cause of criminal behavior is usually a combination of several factors including: The cause of criminal behavior is usually a combination of several factors including: Serious feelings of inferiority and inadequacy Serious feelings of inferiority and inadequacy Inability to socialize Inability to socialize Lack of status Lack of status Negative feelings toward relatives Negative feelings toward relatives Sibling rivalries Sibling rivalries Family disorganization Family disorganization * The number of persons in jails and prisons is on the increase because of stiffer sentences being given.

Social Work and Corrections The main goal of social workers in treating criminals and delinquents is rehabilitation. The main goal of social workers in treating criminals and delinquents is rehabilitation. The penitentiary system of punishment was developed through experimentation in the Walnut Street Jail in Philadelphia towards the end of the 18 th century. The penitentiary system of punishment was developed through experimentation in the Walnut Street Jail in Philadelphia towards the end of the 18 th century. Correctional authorities maintain that the most important factor in law enforcement is the certainty of punishment. Correctional authorities maintain that the most important factor in law enforcement is the certainty of punishment. Corrections is the process of helping violators to be rehabilitated. Corrections is the process of helping violators to be rehabilitated.

Social Work Practice in Corrections Interviews with inmates in prisons with social workers usually last about one hour. Interviews with inmates in prisons with social workers usually last about one hour. Social workers, in working with delinquents, need to accept them as they are. Social workers, in working with delinquents, need to accept them as they are. In regard to feelings, social workers should allow delinquents to ventilate them. In regard to feelings, social workers should allow delinquents to ventilate them.

Social Services In working with the police the social worker should help understand what is best for rehabilitation. In working with the police the social worker should help understand what is best for rehabilitation. Social workers attached to the courts often perform the task of making pre-sentence investigations for the judge. Social workers attached to the courts often perform the task of making pre-sentence investigations for the judge. Social workers can help courts to be effective because of their knowledge of human behavior and skills in treating delinquent children and youth. Social workers can help courts to be effective because of their knowledge of human behavior and skills in treating delinquent children and youth. Social work, philosophically, favors for delinquents to make less use of institutions. Social work, philosophically, favors for delinquents to make less use of institutions.

Social Services In recent years the number of penal institutions for youth has been decreasing. In recent years the number of penal institutions for youth has been decreasing. The Youth Services System operates to keep youth out of the criminal system. The Youth Services System operates to keep youth out of the criminal system. A halfway house may be effective in returning delinquents to society by providing understanding, acceptance, and encouragement. A halfway house may be effective in returning delinquents to society by providing understanding, acceptance, and encouragement.

Social Services The social worker recognizes, ordinarily, the family as particularly important in helping with rehabilitation. The social worker recognizes, ordinarily, the family as particularly important in helping with rehabilitation. Social workers do some of their best work in probation when they listen sensitively. Social workers do some of their best work in probation when they listen sensitively. One of the best approaches in reducing antisocial behavior is more use of community organization. One of the best approaches in reducing antisocial behavior is more use of community organization.

Social Services At the National Symposium on Addressing Violent Crime Through Community Involvement sponsored by the FBI in 1991, the following significant statement was made: “Using combined police and social agencies resources can go a long way in addressing crime.” At the National Symposium on Addressing Violent Crime Through Community Involvement sponsored by the FBI in 1991, the following significant statement was made: “Using combined police and social agencies resources can go a long way in addressing crime.” Social workers need to keep abreast of the influences of violence and sex on TV and in the movies so they can help reduce delinquency and crime. Social workers need to keep abreast of the influences of violence and sex on TV and in the movies so they can help reduce delinquency and crime.