ABSTRACT
The opposition to any reduction in prison security that is manifest in some of the communities where prisons are located demonstrates the general popula tion’s desire to keep the criminal at a safe distance.3 In 1975 Auburn city officials voiced concern that a prison work release program was encouraging paroled inmates to remain in the Auburn area. These officials wanted to maintain exten sive social distance between the “convict and the citizen” and argued that liber ated inmates could change the nature of the Auburn community.4