Prison Security, Services and Programs

Security and Discipline Maintenance of order is the #1 priority 1. Constant watch: guards are posted anywhere inmates congregate 2. Custody Levels - Protective Custody: inmate in danger Mental Health Issues: segregated for safety Administrative Custody: inmate who poses a danger

3. Daily Counts - Inmates are counted constantly throughout the day 4. Control of Property - Prison officials constantly are on the lookout for contraband, or banned items Mail and phone conversations can be monitored by prison officials if they need to.

Security and Discipline Visits - Inmates can only visit with family/friends during designated times, and in open rooms. - Only a small % of prisons allow conjugal visits Snitch System - Many prisons are controlled this way - Inmates inform guards when there is trouble, in exchange for special privileges and protection

Security and Discipline Discipline for Rule Breakers 1. Privileges restricted 2. Solitary confinement 3. Time added 4. Transferred to more restrictive prison

Services and Programs for Inmates Minimum Standards that have to be met - Adequate shelter - Food - Clothed - Warmth, electricity, plumbing - Medical Care - What a prison does beyond this, is up to them

Leisure Activities Commissaries: places to buy luxuries Recreation Facilities: weightlifting, basketball, softball, etc. TV Viewing rooms Legal Resources Libraries Religious Areas

Special Needs Inmates: Medical Issues Prisons have to treat inmates with medical issues, there is no way around it. On following slide are some statistics on Medical Issues of Prisoners

Highlights * An estimated 44% of state inmates and 39% of federal inmates reported a current medical problem other than a cold or virus. * Arthritis (state 15%; federal 12%) and hypertension (state 14%; federal 13%) were the two most commonly reported medical problems. * Among inmates who reported a medical problem, 70% of state and 76% of federal inmates reported seeing a medical professional because of the problem. * More than 8 in 10 inmates in state and federal prisons reported receiving a medical exam or a blood test since admission. * Almost all state and federal inmates reported being tested for TB (95% and 96%, respectively). * More than a third (36%) of state inmates and nearly a quarter (24%) of federal inmates reported having an impairment. * Learning was the most commonly reported impairment among state and federal inmates (23% and 13%, respectively). * 16% of state inmates and 8% of federal inmates reported having multiple impairments.

Special Needs of Inmates: Mental Health Mental Health is a major issue for inmates that is generally ignored by the prison staff Most inmates suffering from mental health issues are found in local jails Prison and jail staff are generally not trained in treating and recognizing mental health issues.

Special Needs of Inmates: HIV and AIDS The 1990s saw a jump in the numbers of HIV and AIDS cases in prisons, especially in New York States now either test all, or randomly screen some, inmates for the two diseases Debate continues on what to do with positive inmates

Work Programs Many states allow work programs for their inmates while in prison Jobs within the prison (laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc.) Factories Agricultural License Plates Roadside Crews Inmates get paid very little for work; $3-$8 a day Generally, jobs are done for gov't, not private businesses

Educational and Job Training Prisons provide opportunities for inmates to complete GED and some college courses Job Training is usually limited for blue collar jobs - welding - construction - auto mechanics All done in an effort to prepare an inmate for life in the outside world

Counseling and Therapy Opportunities for individual and group therapy Drug and Alcohol treatment programs available for inmates Some programs try to change behavioral mindsets that got inmates in prison in the first place