Module 3 intro to crim Ch 12

Forms of correctional sentences available in the US

Incarceration, community supervision, financial penalties, and capital punishment

Incarceration

Jail or Prison sentence

Community Supervision

Probation and Parole

Probation

Legal sentence allowing convicted offender to remain in the community under supervision rather than serving time in prison, provided they follow court-ordered rules.

Parole

Conditional, supervised release of a prisoner before their full expires, allowing them to serve the remainder of their sentence in the community.

Financial Penalties

Fines and restitution

Capital Punishment

Death sentence

The most common used disposition

2/3rds of offenders are sentenced to probation, NOT institutionalization.

The trends in the US correctional system over time regarding incarceration

The incarceration rate declined from 2010-2020 but has ticked back up from 2021-2024

Jail

Short-term, often temporary holding for those awaiting trial or unable to pay bond or bail. (Up to 12 months)

Prison

Longer confinement (over 12 months), often for felonies. Labeled “total institutions” by Goffman (1961)

Number of persons incarcerated in jails vs. prisons

In local jails, there are around 600k to 700k people inside. In prisons, there is a vast majority of around 1.25 million inside.

How much money is spent to run jails and prisons?

Jail: $80 billion (most of this money goes towards salaries and benefits for employees)

Prison: $7.1 billion

How do correctional expenditures compare to other (state and local) governmental expenditures?

Public welfare, elementary and secondary education, health and hospitals, higher education, and highway and roads have a higher percentage of expenditures than Police and Corrections. Whilst housing and community development is under those two, courts has a lower percentage than all of them.

What is the mission of correctional institutions?

Protect community from crime

What tasks do prisons engage in?

Custody control and observe those incarcerated, and treatment-provide opportunities for rehabilitation.

What are the societal rationales for incarceration?

Incapacitation, deterrence, retribution, rehabilitation, and restitution

Incapacitation

Physically removing offenders from the general public so they cannot commit further crimes in the community

Deterrence

Instilling fear of consequences so that potential offenders choose not to break the law

Retribution

Often referred to as “just deserts,” this principle ensures that the punishment is proportionate to the severity of the crime committed

Rehabilitation

Providing educational, vocational, mental health, and substance abuse programs within the prison system

Restitution

Requiring offenders to repair the harm they have caused, either directly to the victims or the broader community.

Recidivism

Return to criminal activity

The research of recidivism and the characteristics of offenders who recidivate

Over a three year period, stats show 68% of those released from state prisons were rearrested on a new offense. Most who recidivate have mental issues or problems with drug use.

Collateral consequence

Legal, regulatory, and administrative penalties, separate from direct criminal sentences that restrict individuals with criminal records from accessing employment, housing, education, voting, and benefits.

How should prison success be measured?

Recidivism, employment, housing, health, social support, and drug treatment.

Does rehabilitation work?

It can be effective. Some programs have been shown to reduce re-offending and assist in prisoner re-entry into society

Forms of rehabilitation programs that are effective

Physical and occupational therapies for recovery, cognitive and behavioral therapies for mental health and addiction, and vocational or education programs for social reintegration.

What should be done post-release from prison?

Concentrating services and supervision in the first days and weeks after release will have the greatest effects on desistance from crime and drug use.

Classification system in US prisons

Many large prisons are divided into units.

Four classification categories: security level(physical restraint- min. med. max. supermax.), custody grade (supervision), housing, program classification (work, training, treatment)

Criteria for classifying inmates

Prior commitments, escape history, length of sentence, history of violence, and prior institutional adjustment

What are the typical component parts/ departments within a prison?

Operations (security, unit mgt, disciplinary committee, recreation), special services (education, mental health and drug services, library, religious services) and administration (business office, maintenance, laundry, and food service)

Federal prisons security level

Percentage of inmates:

Min: 14.9%

Low: 35.3%

Medium: 34.1%

High: 12.2%

Unclassified (awaiting assignment): 3.5%

What crimes are inmates most likely to be incarcerated for?

Drug offenses, weapons-explosives-arson, Sex offenses, burglary-larceny-property offenses, and immigration

What are the demographic characteristics of federal prison inmates?

93% of inmates are males, the median age is 36-40 years old, and the median sentence length is 10-<15 years

Can an offender get parole or a death sentence in the Federal system?

Federal parole is abolished, replaced by a mandatory “supervised release” period after prison. However, federal offenders can receive the death sentence for specific capital crimes.

First Step Act (2018)

A bipartisan criminal justice reform law that aimed at reducing recidivism, reforming federal sentencing laws, and improving prison conditions.

Do private prisons exist in the US?

About 8% of state (and federal) inmates were housed in private prisons in the US in 2021 (note: they no longer house federal inmates, since 2022)

Pros and cons of privatizing prisons

Pros: cost savings and effectiveness

Cons: standards may not be upheld, concerns over strikes, different disciplinary procedures, company can change fees