Description
Introduction
U.S. correctional facilities today are under tremendous pressure because of the huge number of convictions that are still being churned out of the criminal justice system even though crime continues to statistically decline in some areas. Many governing bodies are wrestling with the consequences. Should they build more prisons? Or should they try to reduce the correctional population through mandating shortened sentences, parole, and treatment programs that attempt to prepare the inmate for return to the community? In some ways this dilemma reflects the historical swings from punishment to rehabilitation to punishment and back again.
The philosophy governing a particular correctional institution depends to some extent on the degree of overcrowding and on the severity of the inmates’ crimes. Individuals with long sentences tend to be strictly regulated (under the punishment model) or incapacitated through incarceration (the crime control model). Those who are classified as ill generally are offered treatment (under the rehabilitation model), and those who serve shorter sentences may be prepared for return to the community (under the reintegration model). Public opinion, media coverage of crime, and sympathy for victims may sway which direction governing and correctional officials lean in sentencing and treating offenders.
It is hard to imagine what it might be like to spend time incarcerated behind bars. Still, jails and prisons are a necessity.
Despite high rates of incarceration, crime rates remain high, a reality challenging the notion that imprisonment is an effective punishment for and a deterrent to crime. Rising costs, whether for jails or prisons, create problems for the authorities with jurisdiction over the facilities. For inmates and correctional employees, a major problem is overcrowding. Moreover, the staff in corrections must work in a hostile and dangerous environment, overseeing and controlling large numbers of inmates, many of whom are angry and resentful and have little regard for authority. Inmates contend with near-constant surveillance, lack of privacy, and cramped living conditions—even in minimum-security prisons. Problems escalate in higher-level security prisons that house more dangerous and violent offenders and where levels of control are more restrictive. For both correctional staff and inmates, personal safety—at any level prison—is always at risk.
Just as for men in prison, overcrowding is a problem for women inmates as more and more women are being sentenced to prison. The policies, procedures, and practices developed for male inmates have traditionally been imposed on female prisoners, even though female prisoners have different needs and face additional problems not experienced by male inmates. However, women in prison tend to develop closer and more personal relationships than men.
In addition to providing custodial care of inmates, prisons are coming under increased pressure to provide rehabilitative and therapeutic programs to prepare inmates for reintegration into society.
Prisons are charged with developing meaningful and productive work training and experience for inmates as well as effective treatment for mental disorders, behavioral problems, and drug use—tall orders for institutions already facing a great many challenges.
Recorded Zoom Lecture:
https://ivc-edu.zoom.us/rec/share/m_l6XHGPtNwacG4w9TRdL7CVCtlzapiAny5sQogtbKbZhN-5eFH2apEEsggn1OSO.PHt0DkSj61s84352?startTime=1699395477000Links to an external site.
Watch Murder, Mayhem and Meditation videos Parts 1and 4 for an overview of prison life:
Inside Maximum Security Prison: Murder, Mayhem, and Meditation (Part 1) – YouTubeLinks to an external site. A Thousand Lifers: Murder, Mayhem, and Meditation (Part 4) – YouTubeLinks to an external site.Discussion/Assignment:
1. Watch the below video from 60 minutes –
Take notes along the way and describe what are your thoughts about this super secret federal prison?
Should there be better oversight of what goes on inside? Pro/Con?
Minimum 250 words in your post
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JavUyM8lA6w Links to an external site. Review below PowerPoint on Jails and Prisons
Masters_3e_PPT_Ch12.pdfDownload Masters_3e_PPT_Ch12.pdf
Post your original response and reply to two fellow students by this Sunday night @ 1159PM.
LG
