Chapter 11 Of Corrections In America

In chapter 11 of Corrections in America, the author explains the organization and basic functions of state prisons. This chapter outlines the state prison system. The author also explains the classification and assignment process in state prisons, the impact that politics and government policy have on corrections, and the impact that budgets have on correctional facility. Most institutions are short on money and personnel, and their environments are isolated both physically and philosophically from the mainstream of life. The modern prison system is proceeding on an uncertain course because of its administration. Prisons are expected to punish people, but it is also supposed to reform. These institutions are expected to discipline rigorously at the same time that they teach self-reliance. In addition, they refuse a prisoner a voice in self-government, but they expect him or her to
The industrial prisons of the Northeastern United States were built early in the prison movement and were designed to take advantage of cheap labor. Then agricultural prisons were built in the southern states and prisoners were beginning to replace the pre- Civil War slaves. Other states set up work camps and lumber camps, whatever they considered more beneficial for offenders to do time. Corrections at the state level is generally organized into a separate department of corrections or a division within a larger state department. Most correctional administrators consider the separate department to be more effective, due to its flexibility and prestige to the correctional operation. The corrections process must include a system of multilevel programs and facilities in order to provide the spectrum of services required. The major correctional institutions contained in the state systems are super-maximum prisons, maximum/close prisons, medium security prisons, and minimum-security