Essay on History of the Prison System

The History of Prison Reform Introduction The evolution of prison reform is a reflection of society's changing attitudes toward crime and punishment. Prisons have progressed from simple places for incarceration where the primary purpose is to protect the public to instruments of punishment where the loss of freedom is penalty for breaking the law, to institutions for reform dedicated to mould the guilty to conform to society's norms. Prisons were among the first public buildings erected in the…

The California prison system was created in response to the increased amount of criminal activity that sparked during the Gold Rush years. Prior to the Gold Rush, California had prided itself on being a land of health, beauty, and opportunity (Bookspan, xviii). However, immigration and population growth surged, especially amongst foreign convicts and “aliens”, resulting in increased crime. At first, it was decided that punishment for small crimes would be a beating by whip while punishment for serious…

American 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 are…

What is the history of state and federal prisons? Two models of imprisonment existed during the early stages of the development of the prison system in America. The first was that of the Pennsylvania System, developed in the Quaker state and based upon a model of 'penance' (hence the name penitentiary). Prisoners lived in a state of solitary confinement. They were encouraged to engage in individual reflection and Biblical study to reform their characters (Evolution of NY's prison system, 2012, Correction…

With the dramatic increase in the prison population since the 1970’s, the number of people released from prison has also seen a steady increase. In 2009, almost 730,000 people were released from state and federal prisons, an increase of more than 20 percent since 2000. Those newly released are often condemned by their time in prison and usually have to deal with a loss of social standing. The transitioning process can present various challenges for them including but not limited to reconnecting…

Prison is an institution for the confinement of persons convicted of criminal offenses. Throughout history, most societies have built places in which to hold persons accused of criminal acts pending some form of trial. The idea of confining persons after a trial as punishment for their crimes is relatively new. During the 15th century in Europe, the penalties for crimes were some form of corporal punishment like whippings for less serious crimes and execution or enslavement for more…

Drugs in the Prison System This research paper will consist of an analysis of the use and abuse of illicit drugs within the prison systems on a global basis. With information gathered from various sources such as the internet and one on one interviews with an inmate in a male correctional facility and a former inmate of a female correctional facility I intend to show the rampant flow of drugs in and out of the prison system, the control of (or lack there of) by prison officials, the…

The prison system in England and Wales could reasonably be described as being in crisis. Discuss. The term crisis refers to an intense time of difficulty, trouble or danger, or a time when difficult decisions must be made. However, in the context of the prison system, it has to be looked at differently. This can be seen throughout the essay in how there have been times of danger, and difficult policy decisions made. In looking at whether these problems are important to the prison system, it has…

M7A1 Case Study 3: California Prison System AB 109 and AB 117 were introduced to ease the pressure of the federal and state budget through saving costs on the penitentiary system. In this regard, the reduction of the prison population and the transfer of a part of the prison population to county jails was one of the main provisions of AB 109 but AB 117 actually discharges provisions of AB 109. Such a paradoxical situation is the result of scarce financial…

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 “separate system” is conducive to…