The Two Types of Prison Systems - 553 Words

In the United States, there exists two competing systems of prisons: the Pennsylvania system and the Auburn system. The Pennsylvania system was eventually eclipsed by the Auburn system. While differing in correctional philosophy, each method had its merits and shortcomings. The two systems shared some similarities; nevertheless, only vestiges of the Pennsylvania system remain evident in today’s penal system. The Pennsylvania system was based upon the theory that solitary confinement, or the â€Å"separate system† is conducive to prisoner reformation, as opposed to the harsh punishments historically doled out to criminals. Private contemplation was seen as the most efficient way for a prisoner to see the error of his actions. This system emphasized anonymity to the point of removing the identity of the prisoner: inmates were referred to by number, not names, and contact with other prisoners was kept to a bare minimum. The Pennsylvania system was lauded for several adva nces it made in the penal world; first and foremost, it represented a more humane way of treating convicts, who in the past were subjected to horrific conditions, regular beatings or simply executed. Also, it maintained a tight control on prisoner behavior that had, until that point, been lacking. Unfortunately, while the intent may have been rehabilitation, the negative mental effects of solitary confinement on inmates were profound. A significant percentage of incoming prisoners suffered from mental illness,Show MoreRelatedPublic Facilities And Private Prisons1116 Words   |  5 Pages Prison is an institution designed to securely to house inmates who have been convicted of crimes. The United States holds the records for having the largest inmate population residing within the walls of the correctional system. The inflation in correctional spending and the largest prison population have impelled lawmakers and the government to look toward the privatization of prisons. Pr ivatization of prisons is the use of private sector or corporation in financing, constructing, andRead MoreAmerican Prison System Essay945 Words   |  4 PagesAmerican Prison Systems Introduction In many countries national prisons are operated and supplemented by provinces and state counterparts. Prisoners are held in prisons and jails throughout the country and globally convicted of various crimes and offenses. The nature of the offense determines where the prisoner is held and the lengths of times. There are institutions that vary in level of security in both the state and federal prison system. However, the majority of prisoners areRead MoreContraband in Prison1399 Words   |  6 Pagescomes to prisons, anything that can’t be bought in the commissary or that isn’t given to them when they get to prison is contraband. Contraband is a major issue behind the walls and can be anything from a â€Å"homemade† shank by the inmate, or drugs or weapons smuggled into the prison from various ways. Not only is different types of contraband in the prison a threat to the inmates lives, but also a threat to the officers on duty and other staff members. Som e issues with contraband in a prison are: howRead MoreJails and Prisons1109 Words   |  5 Pagesand Prison One of the key cornerstones of the criminal justice system is the correctional system, specifically the correctional facilities. Prisons and jails are examples of correctional facilities that help keep the criminal justice system running smoothly and efficiently. Without these facilities, there would be no place for criminals to serve their sentences, and no one would really be safe. Although prison and jail seem to be interchangeable words, they actually mean two different types of correctionalRead MoreUnited States Parole Program Compared To Australia And1546 Words   |  7 Pagesglobe has its unique ways to deal with criminals. Most of their criminal justice systems include some form of parole for individuals who have completed their sentences, in order to maintain some form of control over them while they readjust to life outside prison. This article will discuss the overall parole system in the United States and those of Australia and Canada. The Australian and Canadian parole systems will be compared to that of the United States and their effectiveness will be discussedRead MoreThe Problem Of Prison Reform966 Words   |  4 PagesPrison reform is an issue that has been a concern for a long period of time. The problems that Angela Davis brings up throughout her book are only some of the problems with the prison system. Whether it be the influence of c orporations on prisons and legislators, the role that racism plays, or the safety of the prisoners. Her solution to these problems is the abolition of jails and prisons by creating policies that will reduce the number of people sent to prison. This would destroy the prison systemRead MoreA World Apart: a Comparison of the Italian Prison System to Ours1201 Words   |  5 Pagesuniversity of phoenix | A World Apart | A Comparison of the Italian Prison System to Ours | | Matthew Kramer | 4/23/2011 | | The Italian correctional system although much older than the American system are very comparable to each other. Both have come from fledgling institutions in the past that have both evolved because of officials in higher positions as well as concerned citizens that have voiced their opinions on how inmates are treated and how they are housed during theirRead MoreThe Justifications Of Prison And Punishment975 Words   |  4 Pages The area this dissertation will be focusing on is the justifications of prison and punishment, and looking at whether these objectives are being achieved today in the current prisonsystem, with a thorough analysis of short sentences. In order to analyse this, short sentences will be looked at to discover whether the prison system is working. Throughout history, punishment has always had to be justified. For example, pre-19th century, punishment, which included being sent to the gallows or beingRead MoreJails And Prisons1418 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿ Jails And Prisons Adam Putnam CJA/204 February 18, 2014 Leroy Hendrix Jails And Prisons In the following paragraphs comparisons between the Rappahannock Regional Jail in Stafford County, Virginia and Federal Corrections Institution Petersburg Medium in Hopewell City, Virginia. The types of prisons will be identified. The major differences between the Rappahannock Regional Jail and FCI Petersburg Medium will be examined. Jail and prison culture and subculture as well as the violent behaviorRead MoreIntroduction. In Norway, The Judge Will Determine Whether984 Words   |  4 Pagesthe inmate in mentally capable to serve a preventative sentence if not, the inmate is sentenced to indefinite psychiatric treatment. Inmates who are sentenced to life in prison will often have several mental evaluations over a period of time to determine if the sentence should be continued. Mental issues Norwegian prison systems run by a goal of reintegration. Through the progression of the sentence, the institution and personnel work to bettering the inmate with structure through financia l and