Prisons in America

Practical Citizenship

Unit 5

Security Levels Three major

levels of prison security:

–Maximum

–Medium

–Minimum

Maximum-Security Prison

Large institutions with several thousand prisoners

Have high fences, thick walls, and guard towers

Maximum-Security Prison Used for most dangerous

inmates who are a severe threat to public safety

Prisoners given little opportunity to associate with each other or have visits

Typically in cells for 23 hours/day

Prison Tour

Virtual Prison Tour – Florida

Medium-Security PrisonsLess serious

crimes (minor assaults, small thefts)

Secure dormitories for up to fifty prisoners

Medium-Security Prisons Prisoners have more freedom (use

library, exercise yard, etc.) Some inmates can work outside of the

prison under supervision of correctional officers

Prisons often have educational facilities

Minimum-Security Prisons

Prisoners who are the least risk to public safety

Prisoners can roam within the confines of the prison

Single perimeter fences, no armed guards

Super-Maximum Security Prisons Meant to hold most dangerous

prisoners First one was Alcatraz, island in

San Francisco Bay Prisoners kept in individual cells Furniture often made of cement,

can’t be moved

Poor Prison Conditions Biggest problem is usually overcrowding

– Can lead to discipline problems, unrest, unhealthy conditions, and violence

Many court cases say that poor conditions violate the 8th amendment, but overcrowding does not if the prison still meets “contemporary standards of decency”

Parole

Parole = the process of returning prisoners to society if they have displayed good behavior, and if they give their word to avoid further crime

Parole Board examines behaviors, determines release

Parole officer sees to it that parole conditions are met and that the parolee makes a successful transition to life on the outside

Staying Out of Prison

Many ex-convicts have difficulty adjusting to society and staying out of trouble

Imagine that you were just paroled and are trying to stay out of prison. Write a journal of your experiences in the first few weeks after release. Include the following incidents and explain how you dealt with them.

Journal Requirements

Include these items in the journal:– Finding a place to live– Relating to your family and loved ones– Searching for a job, going to a job interview– Running into an old friend from your criminal

days, one you are forbidden to associate with