military prisoners. There are other regulations in addition to those few examples cited here. Field
manuals, commonly referred to as FMs, set forth additional guidance that is not directive in nature.
3. The mission of the Army correctional program is to provide for the custody and
correctional treatment of military prisoners pursuant to law and regulation. At first thought, our
mission, as stated in the preceding sentence, is basically a simple proposition. But further reflection
shows us the apparently simple sentence is really a complex statement. There are three key words
or phrases in this sentence: custody, correctional treatment, and pursuant to law and regulation. To
understand our mission, we must understand all parts.
4. For many people, including a few within the correctional program, custody is the only
facet of the program. They believe offenders should be locked up away from the public and serve
their sentence. They feel they are successful if they keep prisoners confined and prevent their
escape. They are missing one key point. If a prisoner is released who, in actions and thought, is the
same person confined, then nothing has been done for the person. The prisoner was only confined;
not rehabilitated. However, before feeling that custody is not important, it must be remembered that
custody is the key to successful corrections. For, if the person in not able to be kept in confinement,
then rehabilitation will not be able to work. A person is confined by the courts, and confinement
must be carried out. But, maintaining successful custody should not be the only satisfaction. The
other parts of our mission: correctional treatment pursuant to law and regulation must also be
strived for.
5. A follow up to successful custody is correctional treatment. Such treatment is the
discovery of causes of criminal behavior through professional evaluation and study of the
individual. It is also the application of corrective measures to eliminate conditions that contributed
to the behavior and to improve the individual's capability and motivation for useful, law-abiding
citizenship. Successful correctional treatment requires the prisoner to realize that he has committed
a wrong act and, through his own efforts with the aid of correctional treatment, that he can correct
or redirect his behavior so he can assume his duty as a useful Soldier. The prisoner must understand
his personal problems, the causes of behavior resulting in his confinement, the necessity for
changing his attitudes, and the need for directing his efforts to conform to the requirements of the
service. These goals must be attained through professional evaluation, counseling, training, useful
employment, and welfare activities. Particular emphasis will be given to helping prisoners solve
their problems and develop improved attitudes. Correctional treatment is based on the premise that
all individuals are worthwhile and that their dignity as individuals must be respected.
6. The third key part of our mission statement is the phrase, pursuant to law and regulation.
Never forget one basic truth. The military police and their efforts are always to support and respect
the laws. They do not determine the innocence or guilt of persons placed in their charge. That is the
responsibility of the courts. The job of the military police is to work with the legally confined
persons and do all that can be done to change the attitudes and behavior of the prisoners. Military
police do not administer on the spot justice; the courts do that. Military police will never be able to
teach prisoners to obey and respect the law if they, themselves, violate these same laws in dealing
with offenders. Correction regulations are not written to limit activities, but to assist in the
performance of duties.
7. At first thought, the purpose of confinement seems simple: to keep a person locked up
for a specified period of time because the court has ordered it. But, if correctional treatment is to be
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