Public Administration ETDs

Robert Surran

Publication Date

4-27-1972

Abstract

Since America is experiencing a dramatic increase in its crime rate, it has been noted that many of the perpetrators are individuals known by the authorities to have previous criminal records. Many of even the younger criminals are already highly experienced in the ways of criminality. They are in fact repeaters, or recidivists. Recidivism is not a simplistic term, stating a single concept. It is highly complex with many facets. A search of the literature on recidivism was therefore made with all the variables in mind. Research efforts in criminology or penal institutions may be severely limited or very subtly colored by the author's unstated use of the term "recidivism." Again, the temporal factor has been found to be ignored by some authorities in an attempt to prove a hypothesis. Yet the time span of incarceration and between incarcerations turns out to be a most important variable in compiling any sort of useful data on penology. The purpose of this study is to ascertain if a correlation exists between spectacular crime rates and recidivism, and the failure of American penal systems to use modern scientific and technological methods of management. In particular, would more advanced management techniques produce more meaningful data on recidivism? Are scientific management techniques such as computers, closed circuit television, and metal detectors in any widespread use? A review of the literature indicates that some state penal institutions are using scientific and technological methods. In the present study, eleven state correctional institutions answered questionnaires on management's use of technology. Two penal systems were surveyed in detail; one uses a wide range of scientific techniques, the other uses only a single technique. This study hypothesizes that those penal institutions that do use modern scientific techniques in management will be more likely to show a lower recidivism rate than those institutions that do not use modern scientific techniques. Such, in fact, appears to be the case in the single instance observed. However, the assumption cannot be made on this single instance, that other systems, using modern technology could in fact achieve lower recidivism rates. As mentioned earlier, recidivism is a highly complex concept containing many variables. The second and perhaps more pertinent result of this study is that the very limited amount of data in most penal systems may be in direct relationship to the lack of scientific methodology in prison management. Prison administrators are rapidly becoming aware of the absence of data compilation techniques. They agree that much more research of this sort is needed and much greater use of scientific technology for more meaningful statistics can be gathered as a starting point for penal reform, ultimate crime deterrence, and the rehabilitation of criminals. This study concluded that penology and the application of advanced scientific technology to penal systems is and will be a fruitful area of further inquiry.

Degree Name

Public Administration

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

School of Public Administration

First Committee Member (Chair)

John Mace Hunger

Second Committee Member

Frank Xavier Steggert

Third Committee Member

Nicholas Llewellyn Henry

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

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