The American System of Criminal Justice – Corrections

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on the American system of corrections.

Enlightenment

An intellectual movement emphasizing reason and individualism that influenced reforms in correctional practices.

Penitentiary Act

A 1777 legislation in England aimed at reforming prison conditions.

Solitary Confinement

A form of imprisonment where an inmate is isolated from others, meant to prevent corruption but often criticized for mental health impacts.

Congregate System

A prison system where inmates are isolated at night but allowed to interact during the day.

Lease System

A prison labor arrangement in the South and West after the Civil War, where inmates' labor was leased to contractors for various industries.

Reformatory Movement

A movement in the late 19th century advocating for the reform of young offenders through indeterminate sentences and rewarded release.

Medical Model

An approach to criminal behavior viewing it as an illness that requires treatment.

Community Model

A correctional model focusing on reintegration of offenders into the community.

Federal Bureau of Prisons

The agency responsible for the administration of federal prisons, established in 1930.

Private Prisons

Prisons operated by private corporations, often criticized for lower standards and ethical concerns.

Jails

Facilities that hold individuals short-term, typically before trial or while serving minor sentences.

Eighth Amendment Rights

Rights protecting against cruel and unusual punishment within the prison system.

Fourteenth Amendment Rights

Rights ensuring due process and equal protection under the law for inmates.

Probation

A sentencing alternative allowing a convicted offender to remain outside of prison under supervision.

Parole

The conditional release of a prisoner before the full sentence is served, often with supervision.

Correctional Policy Trends

Current movements and statistics indicating the increase in incarceration rates and correctional spending in the U.S.