ABSTRACT
The purpose of this chapter is to describe the correctional system and its various components, and the role of social work within corrections. The correctional system is comprised of institutional settings (detention centers, jails, and prisons including private prisons) and community supervision settings (probation, parole, home confinement, and monitoring). Correctional facilities are operated by federal, state, and local governments, private corporations, and tribal communities. The goal of the institutional corrections system is to incapacitate offenders convicted of committing crimes. Correctional facilities focus on control of inmates. Managing a large number of inmates safely is a primary concern within correctional institutions. Rehabilitation, while a priority among social workers, may not be a priority among correctional administrators. Importantly, inmates should receive services that prepare them for reentry because the majority will be released at some point. The goals of community-based corrections are to punish offenders or restrict their behaviors. Community-based services should be offered to offenders regardless of whether they are transitioning to communities or only received supervision and monitoring orders under the jurisdiction of community-based corrections.
