Jail and Prisons Comparison

Jail and Prisons Comparison

Ashley Young
CJA/234
07/07/2014
John Eckert

Jail and Prisons Comparison

Jails and prisons were very harsh hundreds of years ago but had become more humane
throughout the years. Our country has gone back and forth between focusing on punishment for crimes
and focusing on the needs of the offenders and ways to rehabilitate them. The jail and prison system is
constantly going through changes, even today. We have problems with prison and jail growth that need
resolving. There are various levels of security, depending on the offender's crimes and behavior in
prison. Even though jails and prisons are different entities, they are often confused for one another.
When our country formed, criminals were punished by public humiliation, being sent to
workhouses and corporal punishment. Some colonies formed jails and used these instead of public
humiliation. As the states began to form, counties and states had their own jails, which were ran by the
local sheriffs. These jails had offenders accused of murder mixed in with offenders who were in for
small crimes until their disposition, as well as offenders who had been sentenced to imprisonment for
less than one year. The state and federal government had prisons for those who had been sentenced to
imprisonment for a year or more. (University of Phoenix, 2011)
In the early 1800's, the prison population began to grow. When the Auburn System born, it was
later adopted by other prisons. Inmates had to work hard labor during the day, but kept silent and
separate at night. The reformatory era started in the late 1800's. Inmates were able to be released early
for good behavior. During this time, inmates were able to be educated and received vocational training
while in prison. Four years after the reformatory era, the industrial era began. Prisoners were "cheap
labor." Prison labor made prisons profitable. While working, inmates were able to learn various trades.
In the 1930's, prison took a step back. Inmates were not able to receive education or treatment as often.
Maximum security prisons were built as riots and escapes became problems. In the 1940's, criminals
were seen in a different light. It was dealt with as more of a medical issue, bringing treatment and
therapy back into prisons. Community corrections came about in the 1960's. These community-based

Jail and Prisons Comparison

corrections seemed to be more effective than imprisonment. Mandatory minimum sentences came into
play in the 1980's. This led to prison overcrowding. In the 1990's, mandatory minimums were
increased. The needs of the inmates did not have as much focus. The main focus was punishment for a
crime committed. (University of Phoenix, 2011)
Both state and federal prisons have various security levels for their facilities. Minimum security
facilities house inmates who are not considered a flight risk. They are allowed more movement than
higher security levels. In state prisons, some inmates are allowed to work outside of the prison. Low
security state and federal prisons are similar. They have more guards than minimum security prisons
and usually have double fencing or better built fencing to house the inmates. In state and federal
medium-security prisons, inmates are not allowed as much movement as they are in minimum or low
security facilities. In some cases, guards are at the gates as well as an increased number of guards
inside the facility. In state and federal high security prisons, there are usually high walls, and towers
where guards monitor the facility with spotlights and rifles. These are the most expensive prisons.
Prisoners who are sentenced to life in prison or capital punishment can be found in state and federal
maximum security prisons. They have the highest guard to inmate ratio, and inmate movement is
closely monitored. (Oakes, n.d)
The growth in prison and jail population has been increasing for many years. One possible
reason for this is mandatory minimum sentencing for certain crimes. By law, judges have to impose a
mandatory minimum sentence when a certain crime has been committed, no matter what the
circumstances involving the crime are. Without mandatory minimums in these cases, judges could look
at all the offender's individual situation and needs, and make a decision based on the circumstances
instead of the crime that is committed. (Mauer, 2014) As of 2008, states spent close to $50 billion per
year, and the Federal government spent almost $55 billion per year on jails and prisons. Some states

Jail and Prisons Comparison

have spent close to, if not more, money on jails and prison than higher education. (Aizenman, 2008)
The war on drugs may be a reason for prison growth as well. While it may not always be a direct factor
for prison growth, it is certainly an in-direct factor. If the offender does not go to jail for a drug crime
that is committed, it will be a factor in sentencing if the offender commits another crime in the future.
For example, an offender with a previous drug crime may spend more time in jail or prison that an
offender without a previous drug crime. (Pfaff, 2009)
In conclusion, prisons and jails have their similarities but are quite different in other ways. The
history of jails and prisons is quite fascinating, and they have made many changes throughout the years.
More changes still need to be made to address the problems of growth and overcrowding in jails and
prisons. Our country needs to take another look at mandatory minimum sentences for certain crimes.
Mandatory minimum sentences have been a clear reason for prison and jail population growth. We also
need to change the way our country handles drug offenses. While ending the war on drugs may not be a
good idea, we need to find a way to handle this problem in a different manner. The system is not
completely broken, but it does need some reform.

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5
References

Aizenman, N.C. (2008, February 29). New High In U.S. Prison Numbers Growth Attributed To More
Stringent Sentencing Laws.Washington Post. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/story/2008/02/28/ST2008022803016.html
Mauer, M. (2014). The Causes and Consequences of Prison Growth in the United States. Retrieved
from http://pun.sagepub.com/content/3/1/9.abstract
Oakes, C. J. (n.d). State and Federal Prisons: A History of Growth. Retrieved from
http://criminaljusticelaw.us/corrections/state-and-federal-prisons-a-history-of-growth/
Pfaff, J. (2009, February 18). Reform School 16 0 0 Five myths about prison growth dispelled.. Slate.
Retrieved from
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2009/02/reform_school.single.html
University of Phoenix. (2011). CJi Interactive Multimedia [Multimedia]. Retrieved from University of
Phoenix, CJA204 website.