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Research and write on History of US Jails
Sample Answer
The history of U.S. jails is a complex and evolving narrative that reflects broader societal, legal, and political changes. Here is a detailed overview:
Early Colonial Period
In colonial America, jails were primarily used as detention facilities for individuals awaiting trial or punishment. These early jails were influenced by English criminal justice methods, where incarceration was not typically used as a form of punishment. Instead, sentences often resulted in death, whipping, or mutilation. Jail keepers were not salaried but made a profit from selling food and goods to inmates. Indigent prisoners were allowed to beg or subsist on food supplied by the locality[3].
Development of Jails
The first jail in America was established in York, Maine, in 1720. The Walnut Street Jail in Philadelphia, built in 1790, is often cited as the first state prison. This period saw the construction of other state prisons, such as Newgate State Prison in Greenwich Village (1796), New Jersey (1797), Virginia and Kentucky (1800), and Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maryland soon after[2].
Evolution of Prison Systems
The use of imprisonment as a primary form of punishment began to gain traction in the late 18th century. The Pennsylvania Quakers were instrumental in advocating for imprisonment as a more humane alternative to capital and corporal punishment. This movement led to the establishment of the first penitentiary in the United States, the Massachusetts State Prison, which opened in 1785[5].
Major Waves of Prison Construction
1. Jacksonian Era: The first major wave of prison construction began during the Jacksonian Era, leading to the widespread use of imprisonment and rehabilitative labor by the time of the American Civil War[2].
2. Post-Civil War and Progressive Era: The second wave started after the Civil War and gained momentum during the Progressive Era, introducing mechanisms like parole, probation, and indeterminate sentencing[2].
3. 1970s Onward: The third wave, beginning in the early 1970s, saw a significant expansion of the prison system, with the number of incarcerated persons increasing five-fold by the early 2000s[2].
Federal Prison System
– 1891: The Federal Prison System was established with the Three Prisons Act, which funded the construction of USP Leavenworth, USP Atlanta, and USP McNeil Island[1][4].
– 1930: The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) was established to manage and regulate all federal penal and correctional institutions[1][4].
– 1934: Federal Prison Industries (FPI), known as UNICOR, was established to help offenders acquire work skills[4].
– 1934: The first maximum-security prison, USP Alcatraz, was opened to house the most violent inmates[4].
Modern Developments
– 1950s-1960s: The “Medical Model” became prominent, viewing criminal behavior as a disease to be cured through rehabilitative programs[4].
– 1960s-1970s: Inmate classification and security levels became standard practices, leading to more efficient operations[4].
Contemporary Issues
Today, the U.S. prison system faces numerous challenges, including overcrowding, high recidivism rates, and debates over the effectiveness and ethics of incarceration. The history of U.S. jails and prisons underscores the need for ongoing reform and innovation in the criminal justice system[2][5].
This historical overview highlights the complex evolution of the U.S. jail and prison system, from its early colonial roots to its current state, reflecting broader societal and legal changes.
Sources:
– [1] nicic.gov
– [2] en.wikipedia.org
– [3] www.ojp.gov
– [4] www.bop.gov
– [5] knowablemagazine.org
