Prison

Prisons: A History and Modern Reality

Imagine a world where people are confined not just for crimes, but as a means of control or punishment. That’s the reality of prisons, facilities designed to hold individuals under state authority. But have you ever wondered how this system came into being? And what makes it so complex and multifaceted today?

The Evolution of Prisons

From ancient Rome to medieval Europe, the concept of imprisonment has evolved significantly. In ancient Rome, citizens could be sentenced to slavery and work in ergastula prisons, a form of forced labor that was common for those convicted of crimes. This practice laid the groundwork for modern incarceration systems.

In medieval Songhai, trial results often led to imprisonment or confiscation of merchandise, reflecting early forms of legal punishment. As we move into the modern era, the rise of prison systems in France, influenced by Michel Foucault’s work ‘Discipline and Punish,’ marked a significant shift from physical punishments like capital execution and torture.

The Shift to Mass Incarceration

From the late 17th century onwards, public resistance to capital punishment and torture grew. This led rulers to develop mass incarceration systems as an alternative. The concept of modern prisons was imported to Europe in the early 19th century, replacing previous forms of physical punishment such as capital punishment, mutilation, and flagellation.

England’s use of penal transportation for convicted criminals (1610s-1776) and its suspension due to the American Rebellion led to the use of prisons and hard labor as punishments. Jails were run as business ventures, containing felons and debtors with corrupt practices common. The establishment of the London Bridewell in 1683 provided medical services to prisoners.

Reform and Modernization

The Penitentiary Act (1779) introduced solitary confinement, a labor regime, and proposed two state penitentiaries but they were never built due to disagreements and wars with France. Quakers campaigned against prison conditions, leading to reforms such as a prison school for children and Bible study.

The modern prison system was influenced by Jeremy Bentham’s utilitarianism, introducing observation and control principles. London’s first prisons were established in the early 19th century, with Millbank Prison opening in 1816. The first state prison in England advocated for a disciplinary system.

Prison Structure and Staff

Modern prisons employ various staff members, including wardens, security guards, teachers, case managers, counselors, medical workers, work release supervisors, contractors, and religious workers. The design of modern prisons prioritizes security and control, often using a decentralized ‘podular’ layout with small housing units and exercise yards.

A small number of prison officers supervise each pod, which contains tiers of cells arranged around a central control station. Pods can be designed for high-security ‘indirect supervision’ or direct supervision, where officers work within the pod and interact with prisoners. Inmates are classified into different security levels based on their personal history and criminal record.

Facilities and Programs

Prisons provide food in large cafeterias or through “chuck-holes” in cell doors for inmates locked in control units. Medical care is provided in many wealthy nations, with psychiatric evaluations and interventions being used to monitor the prison population. However, prison medical staff often struggle due to underfunding and understaffing.

Some prisons offer educational programs for inmates, including basic literacy, secondary education, or college education. These programs are often hindered by security concerns and public opposition to denying prisoners access to education. Prison education can play a significant role in helping prisoners reorient their lives after release.

Different Types of Prisons

Special types of prisons include youth detention facilities, which aim to rehabilitate young offenders while keeping them away from the public. The earliest known use of ‘juvenile delinquency’ was in London in 1816 and spread to the US. The first juvenile correctional institution opened in NYC in 1825.

Many countries face overcrowding issues in youth detention centers due to increasing incarceration rates, leading to poor conditions, instability, and reduced program availability. Juvenile prisons are also questioned for their effectiveness, with high recidivism rates and a focus on lower socio-economic youths.

Military Prisons

Military prisons have existed since the French Revolution, housing prisoners of war, unlawful combatants, and those deemed national security risks. Alcatraz Island was a military prison before being converted into a civilian facility. Sailors and laborers were assigned to local farmers and kept on broken down ship hulls with high death rates.

During the Napoleonic wars, these hulks held naval prisoners who suffered from scurvy, diarrhea, dysentery, and typhus. In the American Civil War, POW camps were built, with conditions varying between the Confederacy and Union. By 1900, international conventions provided protection for prisoners.

Political Prisoners

Political prisoners are those imprisoned due to political beliefs or activities. Many countries have systems of prisons for these individuals, with some facing torture, execution, or ‘disappearance’ without trial. Administrative detention holds people without trial, and psychiatric facilities sometimes resemble prisons, particularly when confining violent offenders with mental disorders.

The Prison Population

By 2021, at least 11 million were in prison worldwide. The US had the largest prison population with over 2 million people, costing $74 billion annually. The US no longer has the highest incarceration rate, with El Salvador now holding that title.

The Cost and Impact of Prisons

More than $74 billion is spent on prisons each year, employing over 800,000 people. Prison labor can exploit prisoners and deprive free labor of jobs. The prison system can be difficult to live in due to violence, overcrowding, and poor conditions. Many prisoners face difficulty re-integrating back into society upon release.

67.8% of released US prisoners are rearrested within three years. 6% of prisoners are rearrested within five years. A high imprisonment rate affects families socially and economically, as well as poor communities and communities of color. Rehabilitation theories aim to change prisoners’ lives for productivity and law-abidance, while deterrence theories fear criminal activity through harsh penalties.

Alternatives to Prison

Alternatives to prison sentences include fines, community service, execution, suspended sentence, house arrest/curfews, mandatory treatment for drug offenders, rehabilitation programs, mental health treatment, conditional discharge, and other court orders that take away privileges. Restorative justice programs are also available.

The Prison Abolition Movement

The prison abolition movement seeks to eliminate prisons altogether, motivated by a belief that prisons are ineffective and discriminatory. Crime, Punishment and the Prison in Modern China (Columbia University Press) explores this topic further, while American Gulag: Inside U.S. Immigration Prisons (University of California Press) delves into the specific challenges faced by immigrant prisoners.

Conclusion

The history and current state of prisons are complex and multifaceted. From ancient Rome to modern-day facilities, the purpose and methods of imprisonment have evolved significantly. As we continue to grapple with issues of crime, punishment, and rehabilitation, it is crucial to consider alternatives that may better serve society as a whole.