Prisons in America

There are about 2 million people in prison in America right now There are about 2 million people in prison in America right now. This is a break down of where the prisoners are held and how prisons have grown 1950 1975 1990 2015

Security Levels Three major levels of prison security: Maximum Medium Minimum

Maximum-Security Prison Large institutions with several thousand prisoners Have high fences, thick walls, and guard towers

Maximum-Security Prison Used for most dangerous inmates who are a severe threat to public safety Prisoners given little opportunity to associate with each other or have visits Typically in cells for 23 hours/day

Medium-Security Prisons Less serious crimes (minor assaults, small thefts) Secure dormitories for up to fifty prisoners

Medium-Security Prisons Prisoners have more freedom (use library, exercise yard, etc.) Some inmates can work outside of the prison under supervision of correctional officers Prisons often have educational facilities

Minimum-Security Prisons Prisoners who are the least risk to public safety Prisoners can roam within the confines of the prison Single perimeter fences, no armed guards

Super-Maximum Security Prisons Meant to hold most dangerous prisoners http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADX_Florence First one was Alcatraz, island in San Francisco Bay Prisoners kept in individual cells Furniture often made of cement, can’t be moved

Imagine living here… The cells minimize social contact and increase isolation between cellmates and the external prison workings. The cells, usually 7'x12‘, are constructed with solid "boxcar" doors, i.e., with no windows and a locked food port, and are nearly completely soundproofed. Drains and drainpipes leading to the cells, which often provided a method of communication, route to a central damping location. Telephone privileges are virtually non-existent, as is any access to the Internet. All mail, except pre-announced legal communications, is opened, read, and censored. No physical contact is allowed with visitors. Prisoners receiving visitors are isolated in sealed compartments and speak by telephone. The windows of the cells are very small and designed to give no actual view of any other part of the prison (in order to prevent a prisoner from knowing his location and thus discouraging escape attempts). Access to ADX Florence is through a tunnel and the prison is explicitly designed to be defensible against armed attacks from the outside.

Poor Prison Conditions Biggest problem is usually overcrowding Can lead to discipline problems, unrest, unhealthy conditions, and violence Many court cases say that poor conditions violate the 8th amendment, but overcrowding does not if the prison still meets “contemporary standards of decency”

www.jailovercrowding.com

Parole Parole = the process of returning prisoners to society if they have displayed good behavior, and if they give their word to avoid further crime Parole Board examines behaviors, determines release Parole officer sees to it that parole conditions are met and that the parolee makes a successful transition to life on the outside

Staying Out of Prison Many ex-convicts have difficulty adjusting to society and staying out of trouble Why?

U.S. Recidivism Rate Any guesses? 60%