Deck 13: Core Concepts of US Correctional Theory and Practice

Question 1

This is marked by a desire for security, orderliness, and control, for the management of risk and the taming of chance.

A) Culture of power
B) Culture of control
C) Culture of security
D) Culture of dominance

Answer 1

B

Question 2

These have historically been a significant force for reform in the correctional system, and have helped to define acceptable correctional philosophies and to discard unacceptable practices.

A) Lawsuits alleging constitutional violations
B) Reviews of policies
C) Academic studies
D) None of the above

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Simon argues that efforts for control and surveillance have extended beyond the criminal justice system to also impact:

A) Families
B) Schools
C) Workplaces
D) All of the above

Answer 3

D

Question 4

This is a benchmark for what is or is not legally permissible within corrections, as policies are judged against it.

A) The Constitution
B) The Declaration of Independence
C) The law
D) All of the above

Question 5

The concept of a conflict between ideals of what should be, and the observable world as it actually is.

A) Split sentence
B) Conflict theory
C) Essential tension
D) Culture of control

Question 6

Correctional policy is sometimes based on inaccurate perceptions grounded in "common sense," rather than in empirical evidence. This demonstrates:

A) Essential tension of invisibility
B) Essential tension of discretion
C) Essential tension of research
D) Essential tension of finance

Question 7

A correctional agency may have impressive goals or ideas for innovative programs, but without money to fund them, those goals or programs will go unrealized. This demonstrates:

A) Essential tension of invisibility
B) Essential tension of discretion
C) Essential tension of research
D) Essential tension of finance

Question 8

Take the example of boot camp. Justifications for boot camps were largely grounded on the "common sense" belief that such a program ought to work. The problem was that the program did not often work. This demonstrates:

A) Essential tension of invisibility
B) Essential tension of discretion
C) Essential tension of research
D) Essential tension of finance

Question 9

With corrections being an invisible and unknown entity to most persons, meaningful conversations about correctional policy become both challenging and uncommon. This compounds the difficulty of attempting to seek policies that articulate a guiding philosophy for correctional practice. This demonstrates:

A) Essential tension of invisibility
B) Essential tension of discretion
C) Essential tension of research
D) Essential tension of finance

Question 10

In response budget reductions, states have closed prisons, shifted priorities (such as reducing treatment programs, even those required by law), and even changed laws to reduce the number of persons who are sentenced to prison. This demonstrates:

A) Essential tension of invisibility
B) Essential tension of discretion
C) Essential tension of research
D) Essential tension of finance

Question 11

Some may feel that the most appropriate decision making occurs when well-trained professionals are able to provide individualized attention to the specifics of each case. On the other hand, correctional case processing often relies on a bureaucratic approach in which discretion is minimized. This demonstrates:

A) Essential tension of invisibility
B) Essential tension of discretion
C) Essential tension of research
D) Essential tension of finance

Question 12

A person violates the rules of his probation and is returned to prison. This is an example of:

A) Revocation
B) Classification
C) Parole release
D) Probation supervision

Question 13

An offender, rather than being sent to prison, serves his time on probation. While on probation, he lives and works in the community, but he must follow some special rules and report regularly to a probation officer. This is an example of:

A) Revocation
B) Classification
C) Parole release
D) Probation supervision

Question 14

Before the end of her sentence, an inmate is approved by a board, which determines if the inmate has been rehabilitated and can be released early. This is an example of:

A) Revocation
B) Classification
C) Parole release
D) Probation supervision

Question 15

This system was based on Auburn State Prison, opened in 1816 in Auburn, New York. Auburn was promoted as a less expensive alternative to the solitary system, and one that could generate revenue for the state through inmates' work in prison factories. This demonstrates:

A) The congregate system
B) The solitary system
C) Prison farms
D) The jail system

Question 16

The goal of this system was to promote offender rehabilitation through self-introspection. An example was Eastern State Penitentiary which opened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1829 and was focused on completely isolating the offender. This demonstrates:

A) The congregate system
B) The solitary system
C) Prison farms
D) The jail system

Question 17

In this system, inmates lived together in large bunkhouses, similar to barracks. Farms were largely operated by the inmates, themselves. With few civilian employees, certain inmates were selected to guard others, and were even armed to do so. This demonstrates:

A) The congregate system
B) The solitary system
C) Prison farms
D) The jail system

Question 18

Which of the following demonstrate mortification?

A) A prisoner's name is replaced with an inmate number
B) Institutional clothing replaces individual attire
C) Personal property that reflects one's interests is limited
D) All of the above

Question 19

An inmate possesses five pads of writing paper, but is only allowed one pad. The four extra pads are known as:

A) Prisonization
B) Contraband
C) Importation hypothesis
D) Deprivation hypothesis

Question 20

There are five things that are withheld from inmates. Having more writing paper than is allowed is an example of:

A) Deprivation of liberty
B) Deprivation of goods and services
C) Deprivation of autonomy
D) Deprivation of security

Question 21

The rules make decisions for inmates, meaning that inmates lose the ability to decide such things as when and where to eat, what to read, what to wear, when to exercise, and so on.

A) Deprivation of liberty
B) Deprivation of goods and services
C) Deprivation of autonomy
D) Deprivation of security

Question 22

An inmate's contacts with the outside world are also limited, as mail is inspected, telephone calls are monitored, visits are subject to numerous regulations, and the internet is not available.

A) Deprivation of liberty
B) Deprivation of goods and services
C) Deprivation of autonomy
D) Deprivation of security

Question 23

A concern is that heavily _______________ inmates may come to reject positive social norms and then be at greater risk for reoffending.

A) Prisonized
B) Punished
C) Controlled
D) Isolated

Question 24

Finckenauer and Gavin describe a cycle they call the panacea phenomenon. The first step is:

A) Frustration builds, and the program is labeled a failure
B) An intervention is proposed as the latest and greatest plan, but with deeply unrealistic expectations
C) Policy makers return to the proverbial drawing board to develop a new intervention that will be labeled the next great thing, and the cycle will repeat itself
D) The intervention is implemented but does not meet the unrealistic goals

Question 25

Finckenauer and Gavin describe a cycle they call the panacea phenomenon. The second step is:

A) Frustration builds, and the program is labeled a failure
B) An intervention is proposed as the latest and greatest plan, but with deeply unrealistic expectations
C) Policy makers return to the proverbial drawing board to develop a new intervention that will be labeled the next great thing, and the cycle will repeat itself
D) The intervention is implemented but does not meet the unrealistic goals

Question 26

Finckenauer and Gavin describe a cycle they call the panacea phenomenon. The third step is:

A) Frustration builds, and the program is labeled a failure
B) An intervention is proposed as the latest and greatest plan, but with deeply unrealistic expectations
C) Policy makers return to the proverbial drawing board to develop a new intervention that will be labeled the next great thing, and the cycle will repeat itself
D) The intervention is implemented but does not meet the unrealistic goals

Question 27

Finckenauer and Gavin describe a cycle they call the panacea phenomenon. The fourth step is:

A) Frustration builds, and the program is labeled a failure
B) An intervention is proposed as the latest and greatest plan, but with deeply unrealistic expectations
C) Policy makers return to the proverbial drawing board to develop a new intervention that will be labeled the next great thing, and the cycle will repeat itself
D) The intervention is implemented but does not meet the unrealistic goals

Question 28

In this system, inmates accumulated marks or points for positive behaviors and, upon collecting a sufficient number of marks, could receive special privileges and eventual release. The system's goal was to make inmates accountable for their own reformation.

A) Transportation
B) Control theory
C) Mark system
D) Congregate system

Question 29

A judge sentences an offender to five years in prison, but then suspends the prison sentence and allows the offender to serve his time on ______________.

A) Parole
B) Probation
C) Leniency
D) Corrections

Question 30

Parole and early release were viewed as problematic and mandatory sentences were imposed as a new solution. Mandatory sentences have now come to be viewed as problematic, due to the essential tension of finance. This is an example of:

A) The panacea phenomenon
B) Probation
C) Mark system
D) Deprivation of autonomy

Question 31

This has been used to encourage inmate rehabilitation and to provide early release for inmates who have demonstrated that they are in fact rehabilitated.

A) Parole
B) Probation
C) Leniency
D) Corrections

Question 32

A highly structured form of community supervision that requires close monitoring of the offender's activities.

A) Intensive Supervision Probation (ISP)
B) Day Reporting Center
C) House Arrest
D) Probation

Question 33

The type of correctional institution which is a short-term facility, usually operated by a county sheriff is known as:

A) Prison
B) Jail
C) Stocks
D) Solitary system

Question 34

The type of correctional institution which is a long-term facility, operated by the state or federal government is known as:

A) Prison
B) Jail
C) Stocks
D) Solitary system

Question 35

In the colonial era of the American republic, correctional institutions were not widely used for punishment and jails were used for the purpose of:

A) To hold persons awaiting trial or punishment
B) As punishment itself
C) To hold persons who could not pay their debts
D) Both A and C

Question 36

Eastern State Penitentiary is an example of a solitary system. The aspects that made it a solitary system included:

A) Inmates had no human contact and were in utter silence
B) Inmates stayed in their cells for the duration of their sentences
C) Inmates could read the Bible and reflect on their past deeds, working toward rehabilitation
D) All of the above

Question 37

Which of the following are true characteristics of the Auburn State Prison, opened in 1816 in Auburn, New York?

A) It was a congregate system
B) It was promoted as a less expensive alternative to the solitary system, and one that could generate revenue for the state through inmates' work in prison factories
C) The inmates were not completely isolated from one another
D) All of the above

Question 38

Which of the following are some characteristics of the farm systems?

A) Inmates lived together in large bunkhouses, similar to barracks
B) Farms were largely operated by the inmates, themselves
C) With few civilian employees, certain inmates were selected to guard others, and were even armed to do so
D) All of the above

Question 39

Over time, which of the following systems was most adopted by the states, although without requirements for strict silence and for housing one inmate per cell?

A) Farm system
B) Solitary system
C) Congregate system
D) All of the above

Question 40

Which of the following are typical of a contemporary prison?

A) Inmates live in total solitude
B) Inmates have opportunities for work or programming
C) There is total silence in the prison
D) All of the above

Question 41

In the American criminal justice system, correctional agencies are responsible for carrying out sentences imposed by the criminal courts.

Question 42

Overall crime rates in the United States are dramatically higher than those in other industrial democracies.

Question 43

The recidivism rate is a measure of how often former offenders commit new crimes.

Question 44

The Constitution is a benchmark for what is or is not legally permissible within corrections, as policies are judged against it.

Question 45

Simon argues that efforts for control and surveillance have extended beyond the criminal justice system to also impact families, schools, and workplaces, where individuals are subject to an increased amount of monitoring, regulation, and zero-tolerance policies.

Question 46

Financial concerns do not drive correctional policy decision making.

Question 47

The information the public holds about corrections usually comes from the media.

Question 48

Jails are short-term facilities designed to house persons accused of crimes who are awaiting trial as well as convicted offenders who have short sentences, usually less than one year.

Question 49

All correctional institutions are operated by a county sheriff.

Question 50

Prisons hold convicted offenders who have been sentenced to longer terms, usually a year or more.

Question 51

Walnut Street Jail was ultimately transformed into a Pennsylvania state prison in 1794, clearly establishing the state as having primary responsibility for offenders who commit serious crimes.

Question 52

The solitary system was criticized because complete isolation could cause mental distress and because separate cells and yards for each individual inmate were expensive.

Question 53

The congregate system was the one most adopted by other states, but the system of strict silence and the practice of housing only one inmate per cell were abandoned due to overcrowding.

Question 54

Offenders who are sentenced to prison go through an initial classification process, in which the Department of Corrections determines their security level and assigns them to a prison.

Question 55

It is uncommon for offenders to be re-classified multiple times during their sentences.

Question 56

The control over the inmate is total in a total institution.

Question 57

Inmates are not at liberty in society due to incarceration in a prison.

Question 58

A concern is that heavily prisonized inmates may come to reject positive social norms and then be at greater risk for reoffending.

Question 59

The deprivation hypothesis holds that inmates bring their attitudes and life experiences from the outside into prison, which shapes their behavior in the prison environment.

Question 60

Research has found the deprivation model to have the stronger influence on prisonization.

Question 61

The importation hypothesis holds that the nature of the prison environment and its deprivations shape inmate behavior.

Question 62

The mark system was successful in reducing recidivism, although it was later dismantled because it was perceived as being too soft on crime.

Question 63

John Augustus is recognized as being the nation's first probation officer.

Question 64

Probation is a punishment given by a judge that allows the offender to remain in the community instead of being sent to jail or prison.

Question 65

In place of relying on prisons, President Johnson's report recommended increased support for probation and other correctional programs that would be based in the community.

Question 66

Jail time is the most common criminal sentence.

Question 67

Parole is less common than it once was.

Question 68

Some states have abolished parole, and many inmates now serve close to their full sentence regardless of participation in programs or rehabilitative efforts.

Question 69

A halfway house is a facility that provides various educational and counseling programs in a setting that is more home-like, and has greater freedoms, than a prison or jail.

Question 70

A half-way house is a residential correctional facility that provides educational and counseling programs in a setting that is more homelike and has greater freedomsthan a jail or prison.

Question 71

President Johnson's Great Society programs encouraged a "hard line on crime" approach in the 1960's.

Question 72

Many states have reduced the use of parole because of truth-in-sentencing laws.

Question 73

A split sentence and a suspended sentence have the same meaning.

Question 74

A split sentence requires an offender to spend time in a jail or prison before serving the remainder of the sentence on probation in the community.

Question 75

Designed for offenders who are high-risk or who have not been successful on regular probation, intensive supervision probation (ISP) is a much more structured form of probation.

Question 76

Offenders on ISP are found to violate probation rules more often than offenders on regular probation.

Question 77

In a split sentence, offenders first spend some time in prison or jail and are then released to serve a probation sentence in the community.

Question 78

Split sentencing is not associated with reductions in recidivism.

Question 79

An intermediate sanction that has decreased in popularity is electronic monitoring.

Question 80

A day reporting center, which is similar to a halfway house in the programs that are offered, but inmates are only required to check in daily rather than live there.