PRISONS
•Correctional facilities used for longer-term convicted offenders.
CURRENT TRENDS
•The United States continues to have the highest incarceration rate in the world, despite recent reductions in inmate populations.
STATE PRISONS
Houses offenders convicted of state criminal law violations.
FEDERAL PRISONS
Houses offenders convicted of federal crimes.
PRIVIATE PRISONS/JAILS
Houses offenders when bed space is unavailable in state or federal facilities.
MILITARY PRISONS
Houses offenders convicted of a crime while a member of the armed forces.
California Ab 109 (2011)
- Reclassified certain felonies to permit offenders to serve their time in county jails instead of prison, and receive probation in lieu of parole.
- It is only necessary that the current offense be a non-violent offense (doesn’t matter how long or violent the offenders rap sheet is).
SUPERMAX PRISONS
- High security prisons that hold inmates who are violent, or are disruptive in other prisons. Inmates are confined to their windowless cells for 23 hours a day.
- Alcatraz (1934 - 1963): first supermax prison (federal prison).
MAXIMUM-SECURITY PRISONS
Both external and internal security are high. Contact with prisoners and visitors is very limited
MEDIUM-SECURITY PRISONS
Has external security but less restrictive internal security. There are more opportunities for work and programs. Greater diversity in rooming options. Heavily engaged in industrial work (building furniture, making clothing and printing license plates).
MINIMUM SECURITY
•More relaxed external and internal security measures. Houses lower-level felony offenders who are not considered escape risk, or behavioral problems.
Static risk factors:
Characteristics of an offender that do not change (such as prior arrests, age at the time of first conviction, or other criminal history variables.
Dynamic Risk Factors:
Criminogenic needs: characteristics or variables about the offender that can change (such as education, substance abuse, job training).
Formal risk assessment tools
Used by jails, prisons, probation, parole,
THE PRISON SUBCULTURE
. The norms, values, beliefs, and language of the prisoners.
PRISON GANGS
Groups of inmates with similar interests who socialize together and support each other, while also engaging in deviant or criminal activities.
Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003:
Requires prisons/jails (adult and juvenile) to implement changes to reduce sexual violence in custody (between inmates and between inmates and staff). Requires the reporting of incidences of rape/sexual assault.
Rioting:
Group violence
Professional subculture:
Promote a professional environment where staff are well trained, well educated, versed in ethical behavior, and paid well.
Classification:
Classify inmates carefully and appropriately, considering all risk factors (dynamic and static).
Activities:
Provide opportunities for inmates to stay busy doing prosocial activities (work, education, treatment, art, religion)
Formal Grievance Procedure:
Allows inmates to report on perceived deficiencies in the operation of the facility.
