Making Correction a Community Agency

Abstract

Correctional systems are in great need of cooperation from other health and welfare agencies in order to achieve their goals of rehabilitation and reduction of recidivism. Such cooperation has not been forthcoming because of the stigma attached to correc tional work; the low success rate in dealing with criminals; the lack of funds and other resources; the self-sufficient orientation of correctional systems; the poor quality of correctional staff; the difficulties of communicating with, and resentment against, other agencies; and the defensiveness about criticism prevalent in cor rectional circles.