NCJ Number
185585
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 62 Issue: 5 Dated: August 2000 Pages: 102-112
Editor(s)
Susan L. Clayton
Date Published
August 2000
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article assesses changes in the field of corrections since 1900 that pertain to professionalization, inmate classification and diversified housing, inmate program opportunities, halfway houses, prison rules, and judicial oversight of prisons.
Abstract
Although in 1900 there were many prison wardens, administrators, and reformers who devoted their careers to prison management and the improvement of prison conditions, the field of corrections was a long way from achieving professionalism. Four key developments during the 20th century combined to advance both the corrections profession and the professionalism of correctional employees: (1) Organizations such as the American Correctional Association and the National Institute of Corrections established standards and provided professional authority; (2) The social sciences emerged as academic disciplines; (3) Correctional employment was depoliticized; and (4) Correctional staff training underwent revolutionary changes. Issues in inmate classification and diversified housing evolved after 1900 in relation to security concerns and facility design considerations. The development of inmate program opportunities was closely related to improvements in inmate classification over the period. Halfway houses were probably the last major component of corrections to take root, even though other elements of community corrections such as probation and parole were fairly common in the early 1900's. In 1900, individual prisons operated almost autonomously and prison wardens exercised almost absolute power, but this later changed as modest progress toward increased centralization occurred in many States. In addition, courts began to take a greater interest in prison operations. Despite occasional lapses, the author concludes that the field of corrections has improved over the past 100 years. Specifically, he believes that 20th century trends toward greater professionalism, enhanced inmate programs, more extensive reliance on community corrections, and centralization of authority and codification of rules have resulted in better qualified staff, improved conditions of confinement, and facilitated more effective corrections management. 14 references and 9 photographs