Chapter 3Chapter 3

Jails

©2008 Pearson Education, Inc.Pearson Prentice HallUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458

Corrections: An Introduction, 2/eSeiter

Corrections: An Introduction, 2/eSeiter

©2008 Pearson Education, Inc.Pearson Prentice HallUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458

IntroductionIntroduction

Jails only hold about 1/10 of all offenders under correctional supervision, but admit four times as many each year

Jails are the oldest correctional component

Diverse and difficult mission and role

Corrections: An Introduction, 2/eSeiter

©2008 Pearson Education, Inc.Pearson Prentice HallUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458

The History of JailsThe History of Jails

First jails created in England

The first gaol (jail) built in 1166

Originally used only for those awaiting trial

Early jails had deplorable conditions

John Howard–jail reformer; sheriff of Bedfordshire in 1773

Corrections: An Introduction, 2/eSeiter

©2008 Pearson Education, Inc.Pearson Prentice HallUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458

Penitentiary Act of 1779

Secure and sanitary structures

Systematic inspections

No fees charged to inmates

Inmates confined in solitary cells but worked in common rooms during the day

The History of JailsThe History of Jails

Corrections: An Introduction, 2/eSeiter

©2008 Pearson Education, Inc.Pearson Prentice HallUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458

Current Jail OperationsCurrent Jail Operations

Role and function of jails

Holds: Offenders awaiting trial Probation/parole violators Mentally ill persons Juveniles to be transferred Inmates sentenced to short-term incarceration

Corrections: An Introduction, 2/eSeiter

©2008 Pearson Education, Inc.Pearson Prentice HallUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458

County government almost always operates jails

Responsibility of the sheriff in rural counties

Regional jails are several small counties joined together to fund jail

The Organization of JailsThe Organization of Jails

Corrections: An Introduction, 2/eSeiter

©2008 Pearson Education, Inc.Pearson Prentice HallUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458

In 2004, 713,990 inmates held in local jails Incarceration rate–more than doubled

between 1983 and 1999 Different by race and ethnicity

Jail inmates have numerous problems

Jail PopulationsJail Populations

Corrections: An Introduction, 2/eSeiter

©2008 Pearson Education, Inc.Pearson Prentice HallUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458

“Tough on crime” stance

Increase in number of arrests

Extensive overcrowding in state and federal prisons

Increasing use of split sentences

The Increasing Use of JailsThe Increasing Use of Jails

Corrections: An Introduction, 2/eSeiter

©2008 Pearson Education, Inc.Pearson Prentice HallUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458

Between 9 and 11 million admissions per year

Average length of stay from 15 to 20 days The average stay is from 75 to 90 days for

those who do not make bond Sentenced offenders can serve up to 1 year

Admissions and Length of StayAdmissions and Length of Stay

Corrections: An Introduction, 2/eSeiter

©2008 Pearson Education, Inc.Pearson Prentice HallUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458

Major function is admissions and releases, and booking

Classification process Assigned to more permanent housing unit Meals Visitation Limited programs for inmates

The Jail Process The Jail Process and Daily Operationsand Daily Operations

Corrections: An Introduction, 2/eSeiter

©2008 Pearson Education, Inc.Pearson Prentice HallUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458

The Jail Process The Jail Process and Daily Operationsand Daily Operations

Inmates have little to do Visits with family or friends are usually

non-contact Inmates can have contact visits with their

attorneys Work opportunities: cleaning, assisting in

food preparation or service

Corrections: An Introduction, 2/eSeiter

©2008 Pearson Education, Inc.Pearson Prentice HallUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458

Objective classification systems–identify offenders’ criminal history and personal traits to assess risk and needs for housing assignment

Problems Little information is available Short stay complicates the process Neglect

Jail ClassificationJail Classification

Corrections: An Introduction, 2/eSeiter

©2008 Pearson Education, Inc.Pearson Prentice HallUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458

Classification is important because it provides a guide to: Separate violent inmates from potential

inmate victims Identify and manage inmates with

special needs differently Identify inmates with high risks to

escape

Jail ClassificationJail Classification

Corrections: An Introduction, 2/eSeiter

©2008 Pearson Education, Inc.Pearson Prentice HallUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458

Correctional officers comprise the largest number of staff

Clerical and maintenance Administrative Professional and technical

Jail StaffingJail Staffing

Corrections: An Introduction, 2/eSeiter

©2008 Pearson Education, Inc.Pearson Prentice HallUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458

Design and Supervision in JailsDesign and Supervision in Jails

Contemporary jails are different from the earliest jails in the U.S.

Urban leaders do not want a jail to "look like a jail" and ruin the local aesthetics

Corrections: An Introduction, 2/eSeiter

©2008 Pearson Education, Inc.Pearson Prentice HallUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458

First-generation jails–linear design used for housing inmates Limited communication and room for

programs Podular designs–introduced in the 1970s;

common areas in the center of a unit Reduce idleness and tension

Creating a Secure Setting Creating a Secure Setting Inside the JailInside the Jail

Corrections: An Introduction, 2/eSeiter

©2008 Pearson Education, Inc.Pearson Prentice HallUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458

Second-generation jails–jails that use podular housing designs and remote supervision; officers are located in a secure control room overlooking the cells and dayroom, with electronic controls to open and close individual cell doors

Limited contact with inmates

Creating a Secure Setting Creating a Secure Setting Inside the JailInside the Jail

Corrections: An Introduction, 2/eSeiter

©2008 Pearson Education, Inc.Pearson Prentice HallUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458

Third-generation jails–jail designs without remote control centers, in which correctional officers are located in the housing unit in direct contact with inmates

Creating a Secure Setting Creating a Secure Setting Inside the JailInside the Jail

Corrections: An Introduction, 2/eSeiter

©2008 Pearson Education, Inc.Pearson Prentice HallUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458

Creating a Secure Setting Creating a Secure Setting Inside the JailInside the Jail

Direct-supervision approach–a style of inmate supervision with staff located in direct contact with inmates, requiring staff to continuously supervise and communicate with inmates

Safer for staff and inmates

Corrections: An Introduction, 2/eSeiter

©2008 Pearson Education, Inc.Pearson Prentice HallUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458

Issues in JailsIssues in Jails

Jails face many significant challenges

Jails have become increasingly overcrowded

Detained offenders may suffer from mental illness or drug or alcohol addictions or be suicidal

Corrections: An Introduction, 2/eSeiter

©2008 Pearson Education, Inc.Pearson Prentice HallUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458

Construction increased to meet demand

“Contract out”–private facility contracts with the government to house inmates

Corrections Corporation of America was the first private correctional facility

Responding to Jail OvercrowdingResponding to Jail Overcrowding

Corrections: An Introduction, 2/eSeiter

©2008 Pearson Education, Inc.Pearson Prentice HallUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458

Inmates sue over lack of privacy, privileges, food, brutality, access to their attorneys, or general conditions of overcrowding

Bell v. Wolfish (1979)–court established the “punitive intent standard”

Legal Issues for JailsLegal Issues for Jails

Corrections: An Introduction, 2/eSeiter

©2008 Pearson Education, Inc.Pearson Prentice HallUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458

Closures of state mental hospitals led to increased number of mentally ill in jails

Through initial screening, mentally ill are identified in the jails

Most jails provide psychotropic medications

Dealing with Mentally Ill OffendersDealing with Mentally Ill Offenders

Corrections: An Introduction, 2/eSeiter

©2008 Pearson Education, Inc.Pearson Prentice HallUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458

Prevention programs include risk assessment at admission, special staff training, counseling for inmates, and monitoring

Suicide is primary cause of death for jail inmates

Preventing SuicidesPreventing Suicides

Corrections: An Introduction, 2/eSeiter

©2008 Pearson Education, Inc.Pearson Prentice HallUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458

Preventing SuicidesPreventing Suicides

Suicide watch–management of suicidal inmates who are placed in a specially designed cell and have constant supervision

Some suicide watch cells have constant supervision by either a camera or staff