In, “The Jail,” John Irwin describes what it is like for a criminal to initially be arrested and further processed into a prison. It is at this time that a person first experiences a complete loss of freedom. Before, they had choices and could do as they wished with their lives, whether it be positive or negative. Once under arrested, these people have arguably less rights than slaves did hundreds of years prior. They have to be told when to sit, stand, where to walk, and when they can eat. I do not want to be misunderstand and say that this is always a bad thing. These measures are sometimes necessary in order to control and manage people who have not been able to abide by society’s laws.…
When people think back to the civil rights movement they think of the speeches by MLK, sit-ins and boycotts, or the freedom riders, but few people think of the grassroot tactics and other strategies individuals used to push the agenda of equality for all. In the novel For Freedom’s Sake, Chana Kai Lee outlines the efforts of Fannie Lou Hammer with Student Nonviolent, Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, and other groups. They combine grassroot efforts with protest to create the greatest changes. These groups focused on registering African American citizens to vote and educating them in order for them to pass voter registration test. Activist believed that involving constituents in the democratic process efficiently led to putting people in…
In the book, A place to Stand, by Jimmy Santiago Baca, Baca writes about prison and how being incarcerated can have impact on a person and their family. With the most beautiful, strong and poetic language, Baca tells us the story of all the people who faces difficult times in order to find their place in the world. Baca always felt like he had no place to stand in society because, all of his life he was put down by his family and friends. From the age of five Baca experienced his dad and uncles going in and out of jail from being addicted to alcohol. Baca knew he would eventually end up in jail sooner or later because that’s what he had experienced all of his life. Baca writes, “Whether I was approaching it or seeking escape from it, jail always defined in some way the measure of my life” (3). Baca felt that his life would always head in the wrong direction because of his family issues. Baca shows being in prison can cause a lot of emotional impact on a person’s life, as well as affect the community.…
The Prison Service encompasses three central aims; holding prisoners securely, decrease risk of offending and lastly offer safe, well-ordered institutions in which prisoners are treated humanely, decently and lawfully (Cavadino and Dignan, 2007, p.193). When the state incarcerates, it must accept accountability for the basic care of those it detains. Although prisoners should not expect luxuries during their time of incarceration, they should not be deprived of the basic goods and comforts of life. Certification of access to enough goods should be available to help them develop as the citizens expected to be. Lord Justice Woolf (1991) claimed three necessities for the prison system to maintain steadiness: security, control and justice. In terms…
Abstract: Based on the ideals of a penitentiary, what it should be like? What was the principal goal of a penitentiary? What were the differences between the two prison models? What were the benefits and drawbacks of each model? Which model was considered to be the winning model?…
“Inmates of American prisons do not have the full constitutional civil rights of an ordinary citizen, but they do receive some protection under the Constitution. Among these rights are the right to a punishment that is not cruel and unusual, due process, the right of access to parole and the right not to be discriminated against.” (Faranda)…
The first major historical development of the U.S. courts was would be the Penitentiary Era (1790-1825) The Walnut Street Jail was America’s first real prison in Philadelphia. The prison was ran by the Quakers who thought that prison should be a place where offenders should may make amends with society and accept responsibility for their misdeeds. (Schmalleger, 2009) The Quakers elements of philosophy included rehabilitation and deterrence which is still used to this day. Penance was the primary methods of rehabilitation because of this all of the offenders were put into solitary confinement, so they would be left to think of their crimes. The Quakers even had high walls put up to let the offenders go out to get exercise daily, eventually…
Private prisons scattered across the country house tens of thousands inmates. The companies behind some of the largest private prisons claim they are lifting the weight of taxpayer dollars funding federal prisons. In a billion dollar industry, many find it hard to believe that they’re not working for their own best interest. Humans rights organizations across the country have challenged the corporations behind the industry. These groups argue that this system doesn’t work to rehabilitate prisoners, but rather set their inmates up for failure; reaping in more profit for themselves.…
This article talks about the lack of research done on jail isolation. It also looks at the potential repercussions of the practice of isolating inmates and how isolation as a tool so becoming more and more common with time. The paper goes into detail about one specific jail, Rikers Island, which has been accused many times of participating in controversial practices relating to rape, neglect, and corrupt officers. Lurigio uses Rikers Island as an example for much of his argument. The studies done at Rikers Island and the scandals that have come out of it act as Lurigio’s evidence. The article also addresses the risk of serious harm that isolated confinement is known to represent. Lurigio believes isolation possesses a serious threat to the…
For many years the state and federal courts have spent large amount of time and effort in cases involving constitutional rights of incarcerated prisoners. The courts have made many rulings over the conflicts of prisoner’s rights when it comes to use of force, mail, religious rights, legal procedures, and parole. In addition, the courts faced the issue of the prisoner’s constitutional rights to receive medical aid and proper medical treatment. Many prisoners claim that they are not receiving proper medical attention that they require, or that the prison medical staffs are being neglectful of the inmates medical needs. The courts have ruled in favor to better improve the medical staff and medical treatment for prisoners but there are limitations. Moreover, inmates must understand that…
When a criminal is arrested the type of crime determines whether or not he or she will be confined to a state prison or a federal prison. Federal and state prisons vary but may have the same theory. State prisons are run by the individual state and federal prisons are under the control of the federal government; both federal and state prisons can be run by private companies. The prison system has evolved greatly over the years.…
In modern America, prisons have become a controversial topic that is prevalent throughout various forms of media, political debates, and social discussions. During the numerous debates of the 2016 presidential primaries, politicians argued about how the prison population has grown rapidly to approximately two million people. In news programs and newspapers, there are extensive reports about the quality of the conditions in various prisons. In several popular television shows and movies, there are diverse sets of characters who struggle to survive daily life in prison. Although there are several conversations about prisons, an aspect that is frequently forgotten is the rights of current and former prisoners. Because of certain laws, when an individual is convicted of a crime, he or she loses…
Many may believe that Perry Smith shouldn’t be killed and given the punishment of life in prison. While others may believe the defendant will be able to evolve and reflect upon their decisions and will be able to evolve into a better person. But before you decide, you cannot forget that Perry Smith has been in prison in his past. Prison has become a prescription in which Smith has become immune to. The immoral individual you see here today is like a cancer, you need to kill it before it attacks those that surrounds it, and strengthens. The fact that Perry killed Kenyon, an innocent child, and his father, Herb Clutter, a child of God shows how prison only gives Smith time to plot his next scheme to murder. When Perry first went to prison, he was punished for larceny. Now we see him here today, on trial for the murder of the Clutter Family. Prison has made no impact on his virtue, but has…
Family members of prisoners not only suffer the indignity of what a mate, sibling, or parent may have done to an innocent victim. They lose money every time they reach out to communicate with their love one. It is a documented fact that inmates who regularly correspond with their family members do better with reform programs offered to them. Additionally, the convict's interaction gives them motivation and inspires them to stay on the positive path toward leaving prison and perhaps even an early relief. Depending on the state and facility where the prisoner is housed the family is left with a hefty bill.…
Prisoner rights are important because they prevent prisons from taking advantage of people. They also help to ensure that the punishment fits the crime. Without prisoner rights, those who are responsible for ensuring that society is safe from people who cannot live by society’s rules would be free to treat prisoners whatever way they saw fit, and abuse would be commonplace.…
