Chapter 7 Prison Populations

Size and Nature of Prison Populations Severity of legal sanctions General social-demographic trends –Aging of population –Racism, violence Poverty –Disease –Mental health

Current U.S. Prison Population 2.1 million people in jails/prisons 139 imprisoned per 100,000 in inmates per 100,000 in 2000 –686 if jails are included Highest rate of imprisonment for any industrialized nation Impacts unemployment, economy

Prison Inmates Male, young, poor Minority, urban Alcohol and/or drug abusers Alcohol more closely linked to violence than ANY other DRUG Psychopharmacology and easy access

Offenses of State Prisoners 2000

Federal and State Systems Federal Prisons –About 10% of U.S. prisoners –Primarily drug offenders, white collar State Prisons –More typical “street criminals” –Violent offenses, minor property, drug and public order offenses

Offenses of Federal Prisoners 2000

Race and Imprisonment Economic power structure critical to patterns of imprisonment Blacks imprisoned eight times as often as whites Drug arrests, especially crack, drives up disproportionate minority confinement Neglect vs. differential severity of law

HIV-AIDS 5 time more HIV-AIDS among inmates Southern and northeastern states 3.5% of women, 2.2 % of males 26% AIDS –most HIV+’s have no symptoms Screening for high-risk groups and on request Segregation avoided in most cases

Addressing AIDS in Correctional Populations Determine each inmate’s risk behaviors Inform inmates about testing procedures Educate ALL inmates especially about transmission of disease Educate and counsel to reduce risk behaviors before and after release Segregation rarely needed until symptoms are severe

Causes of Death Among State Prison Inmates

Tuberculosis Affects lungs, other organs Spread by coughing in close quarters Prisons encourage spread Entire course of medication needed to discourage drug-resistant strains Often complicated by HIV

Special Needs Offenders Need more time and/or scrutiny Substance abusers Sex offenders Mentally ill and mentally retarded Physically Disabled Elderly (over 55)

Aging Inmates Long sentences, low tolerance for crime are increasing percent of inmates over 50 Health care a major financial issue Two groups of older inmates: 1.Long sentence imposed when young 2.Convicted latter in life (drugs, DWI, sex offenses)

Growth of the Aged Prisoner Population

Correctional Classification Escape and assault risk critical, time to be served also important – Risk-oriented System–wide: Assignment to unit and specific security level Institutional: housing, job and program placements with unit Past behavior, psychological tests used

Security Levels Minimum: most common type of unit –Small units with many jobs, many use barracks Medium: most inmates held –Constant observation, cell blocks Maximum: often very old units –Inmates cuffed before movement Ultra-max or “Super Seg” Units –Complete isolation