Community Corrections 289in ;» correctional setting, would provide further evidence that such programs are
beneficial. Other creative ways for reducing the job-related stress of institutional
work need to be examined. Finally, more research must be conducted on correc-
tional officer suicide (Kamerman, 1995). This could foster a better understanding
of the causes of it and the effects suicide has on those left to deal with it.
Community Corrections
Introduction
The issue of correctional facilities and community programming is a controversial
one when viewed from the perspective of the everyday citizen. People differ in their
beliefs about the goals of sentencing. Some believe that it should be strictly about
punishment while others believe that there should be an element of treatment. Re-
gardless of viewpoint, when the issue of where sentencing should take place arises,
the public usually does not want it in their "backyard." This creates many prob-
lems in today's society because crime rates are rising, causing an increase in prison
populations, which leads to a greater need for correctional facilities (K. A. Carlson,
1992).
Proposing a site for a new prison can produce adverse emotional responses from
local residents, creating difficulties and delays for states and counties in building new
facilities. Yet there is more involved than just building prisons. With the increase
in alternative sentencing, given overcrowded prisons, community corrections are
suggested, causing concern for citizens. Community corrections involve programs
such as house arrest, electronic monitoring, intensive supervision probation, group
homes, and work/study release. These programs put the offender into the com-
munity with no bars holding them in or guards watching over them. Agencies that
want to implement such programs in the community must obtain support from
the public if they are going to succeed. This can be a very hostile arid treacherous
process. If all does not go well, then problems can arise later, as portrayed in the
following illustration.
Susan runs three group homes tor adolescent sex offenders in a mid-size city with
a highly conservative population and an increasingly high crime rate. The group homes
are each located in ordinary-looking houses in residential neighborhoods. In accordance
with the law, Susan informed everyone within a mile radius of the intention of these
group homes. She faced some opposition from residents in these neighborhoods, but
not enough to prevent the project from going forward. George, who is raising two
young girls, resides in the neighborhood of one group home. He was strongly opposed
to this home being placed in his neighborhood for fear that the boys would harm his
daughters. He tried to start a petition to prevent it from happening, but he could not
raise enough signatures. The juvenile detention centers were becoming so overcrowded
that the state needed alternative sentencing options for juvenile offenders. The possi-
bility of three new group homes in the area provided such options, hence defeating