ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the struggles over competing correctional philosophies and describes the importance of forecasting for correctional organizations. It describes the internal and external factors affecting the field of corrections. The ultimate rejection of tough on crime policies is abolishing prisons altogether. Radical abolitionists tend to see criminal justice systems as oppressive and rooted in a capitalist system that profits from the use of punishment. The administrators in almost every privately or publicly operated organization attempt to identify the factors that will impact future operations. The global recession in 2008 was a reminder to all correctional personnel about how economic factors can influence correctional operations. Most correctional agencies are able to endure short-term recessions with little impact on their operations. New technological innovations have aided both correctional systems and the people they supervise or hold. Contraband smart phones have made it easier for jail and prison inmates to carry out their criminal enterprises even while incarcerated.
