LOOK AT PRISON HISTORY

• NCJ Number: 5922
• Journal: Federal Probation Volume: 31 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1967) Pages: 18-23
• Author(s): T SELLIN
• Date Published: 1967
• Length: 6 pages
• Corporate Author: Administrative Office of the United States Courts
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

PRIMITIVE FORMS OF PUNITIVE IMPRISONMENT, ORIGINALLY USED FOR SLAVES, STILL EXIST DESPITE CORRECTIONAL REFORMS.

Abstract

IN THE EVOLUTION OF PENAL LAW, THE AUTHOR CREDITS 18TH CENTURY PHILOSOPHERS WITH THE GRADUAL SUBSTITUTION OF IMPRISONMENT FOR CORPORAL OR CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. THIS NECESSITATED PLANS FOR ORGANIZING AND SUPERVISING PRISONERS AND THEIR ACTIVITIES. THE BRUTAL CONDITIONS OF IMPRISONMENT SUCH AS LABOR CONTRACTS, WHIPPING, AND CHAIN GANGS LINGERED ON INTO THE 20TH CENTURY. THE AUTHOR STATES THAT THE STUDIES AND FINDINGS, WHICH BEHAVIORAL SCIENTISTS HAVE MADE SINCE THE SECOND WORLD WAR, ARE PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN OUR CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS.