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notes from the field

Recommendation. We must Physical and Sexual Abuse. Conclusion
pursue resources financially A large number of inmates The criminal justice sys-
and assist with providing were abused physically and tem is not perfect. However,
medical and mental health sexually prior to their incar- based upon my 50-plus years
services. This demands more ceration. It is difficult to get an of working with law enforce-
funding and special grants accurate number of incidents ment, correction probation, and
from local, state, and federal of this nature as they tend to parole officers, I have found the
agencies. Lobbying for these be underreported by victims. vast majority are dedicated and
services is of paramount Victims are sometimes embar- professional in their positions. I
importance. We can also solicit rassed or fearful of some type have also witnessed numerous
volunteers from profession- of retaliation if they report positive changes in the system
als in medical, psychological, these kinds of crimes. over the years and foresee
and social work professions. It Physical abuse by a parent additional positive improve-
should be noted that a number or guardian could have been ments as needed. I have been
of mental health and psycho- meted out by them as perhaps most honored to work in this
logical professions require their parent had done, making most important humanistic
completing volunteer services this a generational problem. It discipline. 
to qualify for their annual could have been as excessive
recertification. corporal punishment to get
compliance to their demands. John M. Paitakes, PhD, is
Lack of Positive Role Models A parent or guardian may have Professor Emeritus, Seton Hall
University in New Jersey. He
and Mentors. In a significant been under the influence of worked as a probation officer for
number of cases, most of the drugs or alcohol. Sexual abuses more than 25 years and served
repeat offenders interviewed may have taken place also as on the New Jersey State Parole
did not possess the benefit of a result of similar incidents Board for 10 years, where he has
a positive role model or men- that the parent had undergone interviewed over 7,000 inmates.
In addition, he has written numer-
tor. As previously noted, in the themselves. Victims of abuse ous articles on a diverse number
majority of cases their bio- sometime become abusers. of criminal justice issues and
logical parents were not legally participated as a criminal justice
married and may not even Recommendation. expert on EBRU television, several
have lived together. In fact, in Unfortunately, a significant podcasts, radio, and Fox News
television. He continues to work
a number of cases one of their number of repeat offend- in criminal justice as an Adjunct
parents was also incarcerated ers have been physically and Professor at Rider University, a
during part of their upbring- sexually abused. This must be criminal justice consultant, and
ing. If the individual offender detected as early as possible to an Alternate Member of the New
was fortunate enough to have prevent further negative reper- Jersey State Parole Board. He can
be reached at Pait@optonline.net.
a different significant caregiver cussions. Primary agencies
(i.e., grandparent, aunt, uncle, such as school personnel, youth
or other responsible adult) service agencies, probation
this could have made a differ- officers, and police officers can
ence in their development and detect this abuse and should
adjustment. refer to Division of Youth and
service agencies for investiga-
tion and assistance.

64 | JULY | AUGUST 2021 AMERICANJails