Deck 10: Incarceration

Question 1

Is the custodial model most appropriate for organizing prisons that operate at different security levels? What model should be used to organize a minimum-security facility?

Answer 1

Custodial model:
The custodial model is one of the important models of incarceration. It emphasizes the safety, order, and discipline which subordinate the prisoners to the right of jail warden for the purpose of incapacitation or retribution. Discipline is an important factor in custodial model and it should be strictly followed. This model is prevailing from Second World War onwards.
Determine the appropriate model for organizing:
The custodial model is the most appropriate model for organizing the jail that operates at different security plans. It is a strict model used for the punishment of offenders or criminals. It mainly focuses on the discipline and security of the prison for helping the incapacitation.
If any offender shows violence inside the jail, the warden will take action against him as per the custodial model. The police also follow the custodial models inside the prison and take strict action against the offenders.
Minimum security facility model:
In reintegration model uses the minimum security facilities for the purpose of the incapacitation or deterrence. The minimum security model refers to prisons which organize, operate and design in such a way to permit inmates and visitors as much freedom as given in the model of incarceration. There is more freedom and they are having small room, television, dresses, and entertainment facilities.
The reintegration model is a social culture oriented system. It emphasize on the maintenance of criminal's ties to community and family as a process of reforms in recognition of the fact that the criminal will be returning to the community. Prisons following minimum security model give inmates more freedom and responsibility during the period of sentence.

Question 2

What are some of the strengths and weaknesses of various prison designs? Are some designs better than others?

Answer 2

Prison design:
In legal term prison is the building designed by law. It is used by the government for the confinement of those persons who are judicially planned to be kept in protection. Each state has separate designs of prisons and each one has separate structure. The design and operational characteristics of today's jails are varying considerably from one state to another.
Four basic models of prisons are used in Country A. "Radial design, courtyard style, telephonic pole design and campus style are the important prison designs used in country A."
Strength and weakness of various prison designs:
•Radial design
The main strength of this design is that the control center at the hub makes it possible to watch movements around the prison. The communication method is also simple in this model. Difficulty in the management of prison is one of the weaknesses of this design and also there are high chances for offenders to escape from this kind of prisons.
•Telephone pole design
The major strength of this design is that a long central corridor is there which serves as a means of transporting offenders from one part of the facility to another. It provides housing, workshops, food and treatment facilities. Under this design also the escaping chances for offenders is more and controlling the intimates is a difficult task.
•Campus style
This system is mainly used for accommodating women and juveniles. It is a newly adopted design and many facilities are attached with this design like college campus, recreation area and treatment area. Limited security system is the major weakness of this design.
Courtyard style is better than others:
Courtyard style is the better design than other designs. Because this style is more comfortable than the other styles of prison and more facilities are available in this design. It includes some maximum security prisons. It is constructed on four side of an open square. In courtyard style many facilities are available like dining hall, gym, and schools. Under this style, the management of inmates is in a simple and good manner.
Conclusion:
The above part discuss about the design of the prisons and its strengths and weaknesses. The courtyard is the better design compared to other designs.

Question 3

What questions emerge regarding the practice of contracting with private, for-profit organizations to operate correctional facilities? Should the job of operating prisons be the sole responsibility of the government?

Answer 3

Private prison:
Private prison is a place, in which the offenders will be incarcerated or imprisoned by a private organization, for the fulfillment of the contract with the government. Private prisons are also known as for-profit prisons.
Emerging questions if the private profit organizations are operating correctional facilities:
Many questions will arise if some private organizations are handling the correction facilities. It is because people need a transparent judicial correctional system. If it is privatized they will not feel comfortable with that.
If the government is going to privatize the system, they will have to provide proper explanation, to the public, on the intention behind doing so. In case, if a private organization is involved in the legal system, then the government should provide confidence to the public. Then only the public will rely upon the system.
If the organization is working for profit, then they will always try to maximize the profit. Public will feel uncomfortable knowing that the private prison is working for a profit. In order to establish such a private system, it should ensure transparency and credibility to the public and it should perform the work honestly.
Whether the operating prison is the sole responsibility of the government:
It is the responsibility of the government to take the responsibility of the operating prison. Then the people will not lose their confidence in the judicial system. If the government is giving the operating power of a prison to private organization, then the government should retain the control over the operations of the prison.
All the activities of the private prison should be under the guidance of the government. Power to take decision should not be handed over to the private organization. Operating the prison should become the sole responsibility of the government.
Conclusion:
When the government is going to privatize its operations regarding prison system, people will arise many questions. It is due to their cautious regarding the privatization, so it is the responsibility of the government to handle the problems from the part of public.

Question 4

Which characteristics of the prison population may present major problems for the managers of institutions?

Question 5

If you were a warden, how would you handle long-term prisoners?