Some Observations on English Prison Management (From International Corrections - An Overview, P 37-43, 1987 - See NCJ-106200)

• NCJ Number: 106205
• Author(s): S McConville
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 7 pages
• Sale Source: American Correctional Association
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The American and British prison systems are descended from two different sets of ideas and administrative structures: the associative system in the United States and the separate system in Britain.

Abstract

The associative system relies on close scrutiny by staff, greater congregation among inmates, and industrial activity to meet reformatory and restitutional goals. The separate system relies on separate cellular confinement as a means of maintaining the harsh deterrent quality of imprisonment. Such a system not only facilitated inmate control and security, but often led to greater inmate-staff social contacts. Recently in Britain, the relationship between inmates and correctional officers has eroded, and inmates have been permitted greater access to each other. This has resulted in increased disciplinary problems and low morale among correctional staff. Remedying this situation will require a return to segregation, greater control over inmate activities, and a reassertion of the moral tasks of prisons. 10 references.