Chapter Ten Incarceration American corrections ninth edition

Learning Objectives Explain how today’s prisons are linked to the past. Discuss the goals of incarceration. Be familiar with the organization of incarceration. Discuss the factors that influence the classification of prisons. Explain who is in prison.

Learning Objective 1 Learning objective 1: Explain how today’s prisons are linked to the past.

Links to the Past Oldest prison in America still houses prisoners (New Jersey) Elements of major reform movements still found in prisons. During 60’s and 70’s when rehabilitation dominated, big block prisons converted into correctional institutions. Number of African American and Hispanic inmates has greatly increased.

Links to the Past More inmates: Come from urban areas Convicted of drug related and violent offenses Increased number of correctional officers joining public employee unions Focus of corrections has changed to crime control. Modern prison faces: Racial conflicts Legal issues Limited resources Growing population

Learning Objective 2 Learning objective 2: Discuss the goals of incarceration.

Goals of Incarceration The custodial model: Emphasizes security, discipline, and order. The rehabilitation model: Emphasizes the provision of treatment programs designed to reform the offender. The reintegration model: Emphasizes maintenance of the offender’s ties to family and the community as a method of reform, in recognition of the fact that the offender will be returning to the community.

Learning Objective 3 Learning objective 3: Be familiar with the organization of incarceration.

Organization of Incarceration Federal Bureau of Prisons: 1930: Federal Bureau of Prisons created: Responsible for, “the safekeeping, care, protection, instruction, and discipline of all persons charged or convicted of offenses against the U.S.” Today, Highly centralized: Director 6 regional directors Staff of over 35,000 More than 201,000 prisoners

Federal Bureau of Prisons Drug offender numbers steadily increased. Currently constitute about 53.3% Over 53,000 federal inmates are citizens of other countries Operate 102 confinement facilities: 5 security levels from minimum to high 1 Super max in Florence, CO

State Prison Systems Executive branch administers prisons. Prisons administered by a warden or superintendent. Approximately 390,000 people work in state institutions. States vary in number, size, type, and location of correctional facilities.

Learning Objective 4 Learning objective 4: Discuss the factors that influence the classification of prisons.

Maximum Security Designed and organized to minimize the possibility of escapes and violence; to that end, it imposes strict limitations on the freedom of inmates and visitors. 355 facilities in U.S., that house 38% of state inmates Strict routines Headcounts frequent

Medium Security Designed and organized to prevent escapes and violence, but in which restrictions on inmates and visitors are less rigid than in maximum-security facilities. 438 in U.S. holding 43% of state inmates Resemble maximum security, organized differently More privileges and contact with outside world Campus or courtyard style Razor-wire, guard towers remain

Minimum Security Designed and organized to permit inmates and visitors as much freedom as is consistent with the concept of incarceration. 926 facilities housing 19% of state inmates Lacks guard towers and walls Prisoners live in dormitories or small private rooms. More personal freedom Still a prison

Private Prisons Taxpayers pay $38.2 billion on prisons: $3.3 billion on inmate medical care $1.2 billion on feeding prisoners $996 million for utilities By end of 2007, private facilities housed 125,975 inmates Corrections Corporation of America

Learning Objective 5 Learning objective 5: Explain who is in prison.

Who is in Prison? Majority are men Members of minority groups Convicted of violent crimes 40% of state prisoners have not completed high school 44% of prisoners rearrested within first year after release 25% within 3 years

Who is in Prison? History of persistent criminality Increased number of elderly prisoners Many prisoners with HIV/AIDS Mentally ill Long-term prisoners

Chapter 11 The Prison Experience

Be familiar with the prison economy. Learning Objectives Discuss the “inmate code” and talk about where the values of the prison subculture come from. Be familiar with the prison economy. Explain the different types of prison violence. Discuss what can be done about prison violence.

Learning Objective 1 Learning objective 1: Discuss the “inmate code” and talk about where the values of the prison subculture come from.

Inmate Code A set of rules of conduct that reflect the values and norms of the prison social system and help define for inmates the image of the model prisoner. Don’t interfere with inmate interests Don’t quarrel with fellow inmates Don’t exploit inmates Don’t trust the guards or the things they stand for

Prisonization The process by which a new inmate absorbs the customs of prison society and learns to adapt to the environment. Short sentence, continuation of contacts with the outside, a stable personality, and refusal to become part of the group weaken prisonization.

Norms and Values Convict society organized along racial, ethnic, and age lines. Many inmates conform to subculture even though their own values run contrary to the inmate code.

Adaptive Roles Four basic role orientations: Doing time Cost of doing business Gleaning Better themselves Jailing Construct life within prison Disorganized criminal Those who cannot develop other three

Learning Objective 2 Learning objective 2: Be familiar with the prison economy.

Prison Economy Prisons have a commissary or store Informal underground economy is major element of prison life Goods and services unique to prison can take on exaggerated importance Reinforces norms and role of the social system Certain positions enhance opportunities Lockdowns can disrupt the economy

Learning Objective 3 Learning objective 3: Explain the different types of prison violence.

Prisoner-Prisoner Violence Rate is 28 attacks per 1,000 inmates Prison gangs Also known as security threat groups Linked to acts of violence in most prison systems Tightly organized Prison administrators use variety of strategies to weaken gang influence: Identifying members Segregating housing Restricting gang symbols Strip searches Monitoring mail and telephones

Prisoner-Prisoner Violence Protective custody: 6,000 state prisoners in protective custody Known as Special Management Inmates Life not pleasant, limited opportunities Prison rape September 4, 2003 – Prison Rape Elimination Act Perpetrators tend to be Male Black (49%) or White (39%)

Prison Rape Victims: Male Under age of 40 White Also: First-time, nonviolent offenders Convicted of a crime against a minor Physically weak Viewed as effeminate Not affiliated with a gang Believed to have “snitched”

Prisoner-Officer Violence Occurs in specific situations and against certain individuals Yearly, inmates assault approximately 18,000 prison staff members Officer’s greatest fear is unexpected attacks After attack, officers transferred to tower duty

Officer-Prisoner Violence Many guards view physical force as an everyday, legitimate procedure. Goon squads Worse case in California Officers authorized to use force to enforce prison rules and to uphold discipline and prevent escapes.

Learning Objective 4 Learning objective 4: Discuss what can be done about prison violence.

Decreasing Prison Violence Architecture and size: New generation institutions Small housing units Clear sight lines Security corridors Relationship between prison crowding and violence is unclear.

Decreasing Prison Violence The role of management: Improve classification Create opportunities for fearful inmates Increase size, racial diversity, and training for custody force Redesign facilities Surveillance Install grievance mechanisms Augment reward system

Next week: Chapters 12 and 13 No mid-term review THE END Next week: Chapters 12 and 13 No mid-term review