WK9 The birth of prison and its contemporary use

Flashcards about the birth of prison and its contemporary use.

What were the common methods of detaining persons before the contemporary 'birth' of prison?

Most societies used some method of detaining persons in order to impose punishment. Deep pits, underground dungeons, and suspended cages were most commonly used pre-sentence. Contemporary ‘birth’ of prison (as we know the prison today) occurred in the period between 1760 to 1840 (Foucault, 1977).

In ancient and medieval times, where was punishment primarily directed?

In ancient history and in the medieval period, punishment was principally directed at the body – except exile – so that punishment nearly always had a physical component.

What were some forms of punishment directed at the body?

Flogging (whipping) was the most common form. Other forms include Branding, Mutilation, “merciful” instant death, and Prolonged death.

According to the 1840 rules for the House of Young Prisoners in Paris, what are prisoners required to do?

Rising, Work, Meal, and being back in their cells after the washing of hands and the inspection of clothes in the courtyard

What was punishment of the body replaced by?

Inflicting pain on the body of the offender was increasingly replaced by attempts to alter people’s behaviour by focusing on the mind.

What did punishment move from, to?

Public, physical punishment to private, psychological punishment

While imprisonment involves physical confinement, what is its deeper function?

To discipline the mind.

What are prisons supposed to do?

Prisons are supposed to punish, act as a deterrent, and change the offender.

What is the Panopticon?

A circular prison with cells distributed around a central surveillance station.

Who proposed the idea of the Panopticon?

Jeremy Bentham in 1791.

According to Foucault, what is the Panopticon a diagram of?

The Panopticon is a diagram of power reduced to its ideal form.

Besides Religious Enlightenment and Short Labour Supply, what are other reasons why prisons evolved globally?

Torture made martyrs out of criminals, and the age of democracy and human rights.

Why did the US try new methods of punishment in the 19th century?

Being a new democracy the US tried new methods of punishment. First to hold convicted criminals away from those awaiting trial. Outlawed torture and reduced the use of corporal punishment.

What were the two main prison developments in the 19th century in America?

Pennsylvania System and Auburn (New York) System.

Why was the Auburn (New York) System the preferred system?

Prison labour could be exploited, and it was cheaper because more prisoners could be housed in less space.

According to Earl 20th century prison reforms, what should be brought to prisons?

The best elements of society should be brought to prisons. This included education, religion, self governance, meaningful work.

What were the late 20th Century Prison Reforms?

Prison privatisation, and ‘Prison-industrial complex’.

What is an impact of overcrowding?

Overcrowding has an impact on prisoners and guards. Treatment programs are harder to attend, and there is less exercise time.

What did the Attica Prison rioters do?

Issuing a list of demands—including calls for improvements in living conditions as well as educational and training opportunities—they entered into negotiations with state officials.

When did the Attica Prison riot occur?

On Monday morning, September 13, 1971, an uprising by prison prisoners of the Attica Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison located in western New York, ended in the bloodiest prison confrontation in American history.

Name a few prisons in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Northland Region Corrections Facility, Auckland Prison, Mt Eden Corrections Facility, Auckland Region Women's Corrections Facility…

Where were NZ's First Prisons in 1840 located?

Russell, Hokianga, Auckland, Wellington, Nelson

After the Tohunga Suppression Act 1907, what has happened to Maori?

Maori have been repeatedly criminalised.

What is Māori offending a product of?

Māori offending product of colonisation, breakdown of Māori society, and failure of Western criminal justice institutions

Name prisons built between 2005-2007 in New Zealand.

Northland Region Corrections Facility, Auckland Region Women's Corrections Facility, Spring Hill Corrections Facility, Otago Corrections Facility

What is the Ombudsman's primary role?

The Ombudsman's primary role is to investigate complaints against government agencies.

What does the Office of the Inspectorate work to ensure?

To ensure that all prisoners are treated in a way that is fair, safe, secure and humane.

Why did Riots at New Zealand's Waikeria Prison broke out between 29 December 2020 and 3 January 2021?

Dissatisfied with poor living conditions