Corrections in the 21st Century
by Frank Schmalleger, John Ortiz Smykla
Category: Corrections

"Corrections, when seen as the control and punishment of convicted offenders, has been an important part of organized society from the earliest days of civilization. It has not always had a proud past, however. In premodern times, atrocious physical punishment, exile, and unspeakable torture were the tools used all too often by those called upon to enforce society's correctional philosophies-especially the strongly felt need for vengeance. Important changes in correctional practice began around the time of the American Revolution when the purposes of criminal punishments were closely examined by influential reformers. More recently, corrections has become an important field of study in which scientific techniques are valued and reasoned debate is encouraged. The best, however, is yet to come. Only within the past 30 years have conscientious corrections practitioners begun to embrace the notion of professionalism-wherein ethics, a sense of high purpose, a personal longterm career commitment, a respect for the fundamental humanity of those supervised, and widely agreed-upon principles and standards guide the daily work of correctional personnel. Corrections professionalism, although not yet as well-known as police professionalism, has garnered support from policymakers and is winning respect among the public. It serves as this textbook's organizing principle"--