 A prison is a state or federal confinement facility that has custodial authority over adults sentenced to confinement. The use of prisons as a place to serve punishment is a relatively new way to handle offenders

 Do prisons today truly punish offenders? Should they? Why/not?

 Were often cruel and torturous: Generally fit the doctrine of lex talionis: Law of retaliation  “An eye for an eye”  Early forms of punishment included:  Flogging  Mutilation  Branding  Public humiliation  Workhouses  Exile

 If we brought back such punishments as flogging, public humiliation, workhouses etc. would it have an affect on crime and the correctional population?

 It is unknown when the first prison was established.  Punitive imprisonment noted in Europe in the Middle Ages. American prisons began in the late 1700s.  Early confinement facilities stressed reformation over punishment.

 The Penitentiary Era — 1825 Philadelphia Penitentiary begun by Quakers for humane treatment of offenders.  Rehabilitation through penance (solitary confinement and Bible study). Known as the “Pennsylvania System.”  The Mass Prison Era  Auburn Prison (New York) featured group workshops and silence enforced by whipping and hard labor. This Auburn system was the primary competitor to the Pennsylvania system.

 The Reformatory Era — 1890 The reformatory style was based on the use of the indeterminate sentence. Elmira Reformatory attempted reform rather than punishment.  Used a system of graded stages. Gave way to the system of “parole.”  Ultimately considered a failure, since recidivism was still a problem.  The Industrial Era – Prisoners used for cheap labor in the era of the industrial prison.  Labor unions complained that they could not compete.  The passage of the Hawes-Cooper Act and Ashurst- Sumners Act limited inmate labor.

 The Punitive Era – Characterized by belief that prisoners owed a debt to society.  The Treatment Era – Medical model suggested inmates were sick and needed treatment. Most treatments include individual or group therapy.  The Community Based Era – Led to innovations in the use of volunteers and the extension of inmate privileges.  Programs include: Half-way houses, Work- release

 The Warehousing Era – Public and judicial disapproval of release programs and recidivism led to longer sentences with fewer releases. Nothing works doctrine. Warehousing of serious offenders designed to protect society.  Prison overcrowding became widespread.  The Just Deserts Era – 1995 – present - Based on the justice model.  Emphasis on individual responsibility and punishment. Imprisonment is a proper consequence of criminal and irresponsible behavior. Chain gangs, “three-strikes,” and reduced parole.

 In state prisons:  50.5% are violent criminals, 20.4% are property criminals, 21.4% drug law violators, In federal prisons: 55% are drug law violators  The rate of imprisonment for African American males is seven times that of white males.  Bureau of Justice Statistics states that a black male in America has a 32.3% lifetime chance of going to prison; white males have a 5.9% chance.

 Do drug law violators belong in prison? Does it depend on the type of drug crime?

 The size of prisons vary.  One out of every four prisons is a large, maximum-security prison house almost 1,000 inmates. The typical state prison is small. It costs about $62 a day per inmate. In 2003, it cost almost $67 billion to run the nation’s prisons and related programs.

 Jails—Locally operated, short-term confinement facilities.  Original purpose—confinement of suspects following arrest and awaiting trial.  Current use—confinement of those convicted of misdemeanors and some felonies, as well as holding suspects following arrest and awaiting trial.

 Most people process through jails are members of minority groups:  56% minority  38.6% African American  15.6% Hispanic  44% Caucasian  Typical charges:  12.1% drug trafficking  11.7% assault  10.8% drug possession  7% larceny

 Prisons are a type of total institution— enclosed places where people share all aspects of their daily lives.  Residents of total institutions: may be sent their forcibly are cut off from larger society  operate like “small societies”, form distinctive value systems and life styles

 Mean Dude: Quick to fight, Dangerous: best left alone. Receives frequent write-ups for violations. Spends a lot of time in solitary. Prison subculture supports role of mean dude by: Expecting prisoners to be tough, Values that say “only the strong survive”  Hedonist:  … builds life around limited pleasures in prison (smuggling, gambling, drug running, homosexuality, etc.).

 Opportunist: … takes advantage of positive experiences prison has to offer, such as schooling, trade programs, counseling, etc. Retreatist - attempts some form of psychological retreat from realities of prison, often becoming heavily involved in drug and alcohol use leading to depression and mental illness.  Legalist - the “jail house” lawyer—fights confinement through the law.  Radical - views himself as a political prisoner, society = the oppressor.

 Religious: has strong religious ties and may be “born again.”  Colonist: - views prison as “home”  Has many friends inside. Often holds position of power and/or respect. Does not look forward to leaving prison. Has been known to commit new crimes to return to prison  The Gang Banger - are affiliated with prison gangs and depend upon the gang for defense, protection, and a channel for goods and services.

 Although women represent only around seven percent of the total prison population, they are increasing at a faster rate than male inmates.

 According to the NIC, women offenders are:  Disproportionately women of color  In their early to mid-30s  Most likely to have been convicted of a drug-related offense  From fragmented families that include other family members who also have been involved with the criminal justice system

 Women offenders often share the following characteristics:  sexual or physical abuse, substance abuse, multiple physical and mental health problems, single motherhood, limited vocational training, sporadic work histories

 Why do you think there are fewer problems in female prisons?  How should programming for women differ from that of men?

 Most female inmates are housed in centralized state facilities. Institutions housing women:  Usually are located in towns with fewer than  25,000 inhabitants.  Typically not designed to house female inmates. Some also house men.  Few have programs especially designed for  female offenders.  Few major disturbances or escapes reported.  High rates of substance abuse.  Few work assignments.

 The Task Force on the Female Offender  recommends the following changes:  Make substance abuse programs available.  Build greater literacy skills.  House females in separate facilities.  Develop programs allowing women to keep children in the facility.  Ensure equal access to assistance with programming.

 That’s it for tonight everyone…our last seminar!  I hope you have enjoyed the course and I wish you all success in your classes next term!  Don’t forget there is a discussion board in Week 10, so make sure you submit your posts.  As always, if you have questions, please feel free to contact me.  It’s been my great pleasure having you all in class. I wish you the best!  Cheryl