C115: Prisons, Punishment, & Corrections

Week 2

What is corrections?

The variety of programs, services, facilities, & organizations responsible for making individuals who have been accused or convicted of criminal offenses

Corrections vs. Incarceration

Corrections refers to the whole system (umbrella term), while incarceration is the state of being locked up behind bars.

What compromises corrections?

1. Community

   1. probation & parole

2. Institutions

   1. jail & prison

3. Death Penalty 

4. Juvenile

   1. parens patriae - when state becomes legal guardian of adolescent

Major purpose of corrections?

To carry out the criminal sentence 

Who manages correction?

1. Federal government 

   1. Manage federal offenders convicted of federal crimes 

2. States

   1. Prisons, parole, and sometimes probation

3. Counties (local agencies)

   1. Jail & probation

Who gets what sentence?

1. Probation 

   1. for less serious crimes where court sets aside prison sentence on the condition that offender abides by certain rules

2. Jail

   1. for misdemeanors, sentenced to less than 1 year & those awaiting trial 

3. Prison

   1. for felonies, sentenced to 1 year plus

4. Parole

   1. imposed at the end of prison sentence

Felony vs. Misdemeanor

1. Felony: crimes punishable by a year or more in state prison

   1. ex: homicide, rape, car theft, etc. 

2. Misdemeanor: less serious crimes punishable by jail only

What is the Criminal Justice Funnel?

Shows that due to discretion to eliminate burden on CSJ, most serious crimes do not end in imprisonment. Only ~1.8% of serious crimes committed lead to prison.