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Three restrictions on judicial discretion:. Mandatory minimum sentences “Three strikes” Sentencing guidelines. Sentencing Guidelines. Typical Guideline Criminal History Score X Offense Severity Each combination = specific range of sentences Do they work?
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Three restrictions on judicial discretion: Mandatory minimum sentences “Three strikes” Sentencing guidelines
Sentencing Guidelines • Typical Guideline • Criminal History Score X Offense Severity • Each combination = specific range of sentences • Do they work? • They do reduce sentencing disparity • BUT, do they simply shift discretion to the prosecutors and the legislature?
Corrections • Carrying out the sentence of the decreed by the judicial system • History of Corrections • Community Corrections • Intermediate Sanctions • Institutional Corrections
The Middle Ages to the 17th Century • The Middle Ages • Feudal period: blood feuds--> wergild • Later Middle ages (Henry VIII, Elizabeth I) • Increase in corporal and capital punishment • Bizarre and extravagant tortures • 17th Century • Poor laws and “houses of correction” • Transportation (for profit), galley slaves
Colonial America (1600s-1750s) • Punishment was public • Punishment was corporal or capital • Prison-like institutions existed, but were not used as “punishment”
The Rise of the Penitentiary (1750-1800) • William Penn • Revised criminal code in Pennsylvania to forbid torture and mutilation; ordered new “houses of correction” • Walnut Street Prison (1790) • Other states (New Jersey, New York) followed
Pennsylvania vs. Auburn System • Pennsylvania • Western Penitentiary, Eastern Penitentiary • Silent System • New York • Auburn Prison • Congregate System • Only difference? • Isolation of inmates during the day
Corrections in the 1800s • Auburn System wins debate • Easier to perform labor; the only way to perform factory labor • But, prison brutal, corporal punishment prevalent • Prison building boom (1850s) • Prison Industry • Contract system, convict-lease, state account
The Progressive Era • We’ve already talked about the progressives • 1920s • Attacked many social ills (working conditions, poverty….) • In Criminal Justice • Argued that rehabilitation (not punishment, penance) should be the goal of corrections • Platform of indeterminate sentences, probation, parole.
Corrections from 1970 to present • Faith in rehabilitation crushed • Liberals = justice model; Conservatives = punish • 1970s = deterrence • 1980s-present = deterrence/incapacitation • Return to determinate sentencing • 3 strikes legislation • Chain gangs, “strip-down” prisons
Pennsylvania vs. Auburn System • Pennsylvania • Western Penitentiary, Eastern Penitentiary • Silent System • New York • Auburn Prison • Congregate System • Only difference? • Isolation of inmates during the day
Corrections in the 1800s • Auburn System wins debate • Easier to perform labor; the only way to perform factory labor • But, prison brutal, corporal punishment prevalent • Prison building boom (1850s) • Prison Industry • Contract system, convict-lease, state account
The Progressive Era • We’ve already talked about the progressives • 1920s • Attacked many social ills (working conditions, poverty….) • In Criminal Justice • Argued that rehabilitation (not punishment, penance) should be the goal of corrections • Platform of indeterminate sentences, probation, parole.
Corrections from 1970 to present • Faith in rehabilitation crushed • Liberals = justice model; Conservatives = punish • 1970s = deterrence • 1980s-present=deterrence/incapacitation • Return to determinate sentencing • 3 strikes legislation • Chain gangs, “strip-down” prisons
Conscience and Convenience • Why were the first prison built? • “Penitentiaries” • “Correctional Facilities” • Why do we still build prisons if we no longer believe in rehabilitation? • Incapacitation as the “default” goal of prisons….or “convenience”
The Corrections Continuum • Probation • Intermediate Sanctions • Jails • Prisons
Probation • Father of Probation is John Augustus • Formally adopted in progressive era • Suspend sentence, in return, offender abides by “conditions of probation” • Conditions set and enforced by judicial system • Offenders who “fail” may have probation revoked, and original sentence imposed
Functions of Probation Departments • Pre-sentence Investigation (PSI) • Interview offender, case history, tied to rehabilitation • Includes recommendation for sentence • Supervision of Offenders • Counseling, meet with offenders • Help with job, broker community resources • Supervise (house visits, drug testing)
Use of Probation • Almost 2/3 of the total corrections population is on probation • Roughly 3.5 million offenders are on probation • Average Caseload = 113 • Goal has shifted • Rehabilitation to supervision/zero tolerance
Parole • Parole as release from prison • Discretionary release • Parole board = appointed by governor • Rehabilitation and intermediate sentences • Parole as supervision • Similar to probation supervision • Early release a privilege, therefore must follow conditions of release
Abolish Parole? • Typically, states move to abolish “discretionary parole release” • When this is done, “post release supervision” is still part of the process
How “effective” are probation and parole supervision? • Cost savings • Probation and parole are much less expensive than prison • Recidivism • Large differences in “recidivism” across jurisdictions • As high as 65% (California felons), as low as 25% (Huntsville, TX) • Depends upon “risk” of clients
Intermediate Sanctions Probation Prison Death ISP EM Boot Camp
WHY do these critters exist? • Prison crowding in 1980s • Probation viewed as failure • Need for “continuum” of sanctions
What is the goal of these critters? • Divert offenders from prison (save money) • Reduce recidivism (through deterrence) • Provide an option to judges that fits between prison and probation
Intensive Probation or Parole Supervision (IPS) • Idea is to “soup up” traditional supervision • Reduce Caseloads (15 to 40 offenders) • Daily contact with offender • Routine drug testing • Curfews, home and employment visits
Do ISP’s work? • Do ISP’s divert from prison? • NO, judges are reluctant to send “prison-bound” offenders to ISP (Net Widening) • Do ISP’s reduce recidivism? • NO, when compared to similar group of offenders, they actually do worse (fishbowl effect) • Similar to “California Caseload Experiments” of the 1970s
Shock Incarceration (boot camps) • Short, intense incarceration to “shock” the offender into his/her senses • military drill and discipline, physical exercise, hard physical labor • typically reserved for young, non-violent, first-time offenders • short time-span, typically 6 months
Do boot camps work? • Reduce Recidivism? • NO, boot camp graduates have similar recidivism rates as offenders who receive different sanctions • Divert Offenders? • Possible, but not likely • Depends upon where in the system they are diverted
Home Confinement and Electronic Monitoring • Home confinement is an old practice • Electronic Monitoring is used to enforce home confinement • Technology emerged in the 1980s • Most are bracelets that work like invisible dog fences • Tell probation/parole officers whether or not a person has broken curfew
Residential Community Corrections • Traditional “Half-way house” • Used to reintegrate prison inmates into society • Now • Traditional functions • Sanction for probation violators • Day reporting centers • Split sentences (probation + RCC time)
How do RCC’s Work? • Typically, they are house-like structures (not prison-like) • Inmates (clients) are usually free to leave during the day (job, classes) • Return at night • Most RCC’s are privately run
Evidence for Cost Savings and Diversion • In order to divert and save $, demonstrate that the offender would’ve went to prison if not for the intermediate sanction • Most programs demonstrate “net widening” • Exception--if correctional personnel make decision.
Evidence for Recidivism • None of these sanctions have demonstrated recidivism reductions. • Why not? All of them are based on the principle of specific deterrence. Example of boot camp--why would this reduce recidivism? • Exception: some incorporate intervention programs grounded in good theory
Evidence for Providing a “Continuum” • This is the sole “Victory” for intermediate sanctions • Offenders report that ISP is more painful than traditional probation, and some suggest it is worse than prison • Is this enough to justify intermediate sanctions?
Why are these Critters thriving? • Provide Continuum • Politically Powerful • Boot camp residents with shaved heads, saluting…. • Public wants “harsh” punishments • Myth of effectiveness
Institutional Corrections Go to jail, go directly to jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200
JAILS • County Level Institutions • Usually run by Sheriff and deputies • House inmates (less than 1 year) and pre-trial detainees • Conditions notoriously poor • Little programming, no medical facilities • Violence, shifting population, suicide rates high
Prisons • Hold individuals sentence to at least 1 year • Operated by the executive branch • Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) • 98 Facilities • 126,000 inmates • Most inmates (60%) are serving time for drug offense • Prisons ranked on a 1 to 6 scale (1 = FCI in Colorado)
State Prisons • Over 500 prisons, and 1.2 million offenders • Governor typically appoints warden • Organization • Maximum (razor wire, guard towers…) • Medium (similar to max, but less serious offenders) • Minimum (typically campus style)
Since the late 1970s, the total number of inmates in custody has increased dramatically
Why the dramatic increase? • Change in public opinion, and political emphasis • Three strikes laws, “truth in sentencing” • Drug Policies • Increase in felony convictions • Factors that do not clearly influence incarceration • Crime rates • Economy
Profile of Prison and Jail Inmates • Racial Profile • 35% White, 44% Black, 11%, Hispanic • 11% of black males in 20s and 30s • Most (98%) are male • Most are poor, with less than a high school education • Most (60%) have been in prison before
The Pains of Imprisonment • Gresham Sykes • Material possessions • Heterosexual relationships • Security • Autonomy • Deprivation model vs. Importation model • Does old “inmate code” still exist? NO
The Inmate Economy • A black market exists in almost all prisons • Sex, drugs, alcohol, food, better living conditions… • What is the currency of the prison economy?CIGARETTES • Why not “stamp out” the prison economy? • Guards are pragmatic (worry about the big stuff) • Some guards are part of the economy
Prison Gangs • Similar to the “outside,” gangs are divided along racial lines • Roughly 6% of inmates identify with a gang • Gangs control economy, rackets… • Primary concern is gang violence, and the possibility of riots
Women’s Issues • Typically single prison per state • Get less resources • More difficult to visit • Pregnancy, motherhood • Where do children go if mothers are locked up?