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AJ 50 – Introduction to Administration of Justice

This chapter provides an overview of state and federal prisons, including their varying levels of security, the characteristics of the prison population, and the philosophy of imprisonment. It also discusses the problem of prison overcrowding and potential solutions.

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AJ 50 – Introduction to Administration of Justice

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  1. AJ 50 – Introduction to Administration of Justice Chapter 11 - Prisons and Jails

  2. State and Federal Prisons • Prison • State or federal confinement facility having custodial authority over adults • 1,325 state, 84 federal • Varying levels of Security • Steady increase in prison population over past 30 years • In 2007, 1 of every 200 US residents was spending more than a year in prison • Prison population characteristics • Low education/functionally illiterate • Drug dependence • Unemployed • Parents of young children • Mental health problems • Manic depression

  3. Philosophy of Imprisonment • Original goal of US prisons was Rehabilitation • Alternative to corporal punishment • Justice Model of Imprisonment • Follows “Just Deserts” philosophy • Focus on responsibility and punishment

  4. Prison Overcrowding • Prison Capacity = The size of the inmate population the facility can effectively hold • Rated Capacity • Based on expert opinion • Operational Capacity • Based on management considerations • Design Capacity • Based on original plans when facility built

  5. Security Levels • Maximum • Most serious offenders • Most restrictive environment • Medium • More prisoner interaction/freedom of movement • Generally smaller than maximum facilities • Minimum • Dorm-style housing • Recreation, education, skills-training

  6. Classification System • Criteria for assigning inmates to particular security level based on… • Criminal History • Danger/Violence • Escape Risk • Adult Internal Management System (AIMS) • Record of misconduct • Ability to follow staff directions • Level of aggression towards other inmates

  7. Federal Prison System Five security levels… • Administrative Maximum (ADMAX) • High Security – US Penitentiaries • Medium Security – Federal Correctional Inst. • Low Security – Federal Correctional Inst. • Minimum Security – Federal Prison Camps

  8. Jails • Managed by local Law Enforcement • Usually County Sheriff’s Department • Usually for adult offenders • Mixed population of those… • Pending/undergoing adjudication • Adjudicated/serving sentence • Usually one year or less • Awaiting transfer to prison

  9. Jail Statistics • 3,360 US jails • 780,000 inmates in US jails • 13% women • 207,000 jail employees • About one-per-three inmates • Annual operation = $10 billion!

  10. Jail Overcrowding • Factors contributing to overcrowding in US jails • Inability to post bail • Court delays • Limitations to pre-trial release • Overcrowded court system • Confinement of non-violent offenders • Possible remedies? • Regional jails • Privatization

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