VOLUME 9A - THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON CRIME AND DELINQUENCY - No.6 - 1978 - Corrections

Sep 29, 2026

A bi-weekly report for leaders in criminal justice administration examines reform efforts aimed at jail conditions, particularly through the creation of a National Coalition for Jail Reform. It describes a consensus mission statement focused on eliminating inappropriate confinement and improving conditions, the coalition’s early staffing and funding support, and the planned ratification and strategy work. The report emphasizes failures caused by lack of consensus and inadequate criteria, arguing for coordinated action using clearer standards and effective alternatives to confinement.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

CORRECTIONS

44 National Organizations Reach Consensus on Mission of New Jail Reform Coalition

Mission Statement Text: Goals, Rationale, and Member Commitments

VOLUME 9A PUBLICATION OFNUMBER 22THE NATIONAL COUNCILNOV.6,1978ON CRIME AND DELINQUENCYA Bi-Weekly Report on Significant DevelopmentsFor Leaders in Criminal Justice Administration SUMMARY "Millions of dollars of state,federal and private funds areexpended each year to promote [criminal justice]reform.Despite all of this attention,a historical pattern ofproposals,implementation,and ultimate failure isconsistently reenacted."Raymond Nimmer(p.3). Corrections(1)·New national jail reform coalitionissues mission statement ·How to improve parole ● Furloughs credited with curbing recidivism. System Change(3)·Why criminal justice reformsfail ·Reform of the Philadelphia courts. LEAA(5)·Juvenile justice projects can winfunding extensions ·APPA and ACJS review theAdministration's LEAA bill·SPAs aim for 50%moreblock grant funds. Judicial Process(6)■ Judicature society wants newfederal judges picked on merit Plea bargaining said toreduce crime·California drops McNaghten rule ● Profile of the court administrator. # CORRECTIONS 44 NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS REACH CONSENSUSON MISSION OF NEW JAIL REFORM COALITION Representatives of 44 national organizationslast month forged a mission statement for the youngbut potentially influential National Coalition for JailReform. Meeting Oct.16-18in Harpers Ferry,representativesof such diverse groups as the American Bar Assn.,American Correctional Assn.,National Assn.of Counties(NACo),National Council on Crime and Delinquency,National League of Cities,National Governors Assn.,andNational Sheriffs Assn.,managed to produce a consensusstatement concerning two goals:"elimination ofinappropriate confinement,"and "improvement of jailconditions." Within the next three months each of the participatinggroups will be asked to formally ratify membership in thecoalition and endorse its mission statement.The nextgeneral meeting in April will concentrate on strategies foreliminating inappropriate confinement. A shortterm grant has been obtained from the Johnson Foundation to employ one staff member,Judith Johnson,whilelong range planning proceeds.(She may be contactedclo NACo,1735 New York Ave.,NW,Washington,DC20006;202/785-9577). Other organizations working with the coalition are:American Arbitration Assn.,American Civil LibertiesUnion,American Institute of Architects,AmericanMedical Assn.,American Public Health Assn.,Assn.ofState Correctional Administrators,Benedict Center forCriminal Justice,Commission on Accreditation forCorrections,Committee for Public Justice,CorrectionalEconomics Center,Council of State Governments,EdnaMcConnellClark Foundation,Fortune Society,International City Management Assn.,Interreligious TaskForce on Criminal Justice,John Howard Assn.,LEAA,National Assn.of Blacks in Criminal Justice,NationalAssn.of Criminal Justice Planning Directors,NationalCenter for State Courts,National Clearinghouse forCriminal Justice Planning and Architecture,National SPAConference,National Conference of State Legislators,National District Attorneys Assn.,National Institute ofCorrections,National Jail Assn.,National Jail ManagersAssn.,National Legal Aid and Defender Assn.,NationalMoratorium on Prison Constitution,National Street LawInstitute,National Urban League,North Shore UnitarianVeatch Program,Offender Aid and Restoration,PretrialServices Resource Center,Southern Coalition on Jails andPrisons,Unitarian Universalist Service Committee,U.S.Conference of Mayors. Following is the text of the Mission Statement for theNational Coalition on Jail Reform: For more than a decade it has been acknowledged that thereare serious deficiencies in the American criminal justice system.In noarea do these pervasive problems appear more severe than inlocal and county jails,through which most individuals enter thecriminal justice system.The National Coalition for Jail Reformcontends that inappropriate confinement and universally decriedconditions in our nation's jails detract from rather than e

FAQs

What mission goals did the coalition agree on for jail reform?

The mission statement focuses on eliminating inappropriate confinement and improving jail conditions. It also ties these goals to public safety and more humane, effective sanctions.

Why does the report argue that criminal justice reform has often failed?

It attributes failure to lack of consensus on reform goals and insufficient public support. It also notes the absence of workable criteria for deciding who should be confined.

How does the coalition propose improving confinement decisions and jail conditions?

It supports sparing use of confinement even when authority exists and calls for development and enforcement of sound standards. The coalition also aims to identify people and behaviors for which confinement is not justified.

Sep 29, 2026

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