CJ Today CH12 Key Terms

civil confinement

The legal process of detaining individuals deemed a threat to public safety, often used for sex offenders after prison release.

“deliberate indifference”

A legal standard where prison officials know of and disregard an excessive risk to inmate health or safety.

deprivation model

A theory that the prison environment itself is responsible for inmate behavior, especially violence and aggression.

desistance

The process through which individuals cease engaging in criminal behavior.

expiration release

The release of an inmate after they have served the full sentence imposed by the court, minus any good time.

furlough

A temporary release from prison for a short period for approved purposes like family visits or job interviews.

halfway house

A residential facility used to transition inmates back into society with supervision and support.

“hands-off” doctrine

A judicial policy of noninterference in the internal administration of prisons.

“identifiable human needs”

Basic necessities such as food, shelter, safety, and medical care that must be provided to inmates under constitutional standards.

pardon

A government decision to forgive a person for a crime and eliminate remaining penalties.

prisoner reentry

The process of returning to society after being released from prison and the challenges that come with it.

prison gang

A group of inmates who band together for protection or criminal enterprise within the prison system.

prisonization

The process by which inmates adopt the customs and general culture of the prison.

prison programs

Structured activities or services in prison, such as education or vocational training, aimed at rehabilitation.

prison segregation

The practice of separating certain inmates from the general prison population for safety or disciplinary reasons.

relative deprivation

The perception that one is worse off compared to others, which can contribute to prison unrest or violence.

security threat group (STG)

An organized group of inmates that poses a threat to the safety of the prison environment, such as gangs.

sex offender notification law

A law requiring that the public be informed when a sex offender is released into the community.

total institution

An enclosed environment where people live under strict rules and are cut off from wider society, such as a prison.

work release program

A program that allows inmates to work in the community during the day while returning to custody at night.