NCJ Number
177265
Editor(s)
J M Pollock
Date Published
1997
Length
532 pages
Annotation
These 13 articles examine the concepts and realities of prisons, basic operations and elements of prison life, corrections management, judicial decisions related to prisoners' rights, privatization in corrections, issues related to jails, and probable future issues related to prisons.
Abstract
The book's underlying theme is that prisons do little to solve crime problems and that they sometimes do much damage to inmates. It notes that some individuals are dangerous and need to be removed from society, but disagreement exists regarding who should be incarcerated and for how long. The first three chapters explore the ideology that formed the rationale for the creation of prisons, the history of prisons, the sentencing patterns that led to current overcrowding problems, and the extent and effects of prison overcrowding. The next section examines inmate classification, vocational programs, inmate education, prison industries, rehabilitation programs, and the inmate subculture, with special attention to the historical and current experiences of minorities and women. Further chapters examine prison management issues and the role and experiences of correctional officers. Further chapters focuses on inmate litigation and specific areas of prisoners' rights; privatization in corrections; and jail functions, operations, administration, socialization, and subcultures. The final chapter examines the future of prisons and prison issues, with emphasis on the impact of drug laws, overcrowding, race, inmates' rights, prison violence, prison industries, other prison programming, and the role of correctional professionals. The analysis concludes that prisons will probably continue in the future much as they have since their inception. Tables, figures, checklists, chapter study questions, lists of major terms used in each chapter, chapter reference lists, glossary, name index, and subject index