Tyler Christensen
Correctional Theory and Practice 1
1. Trace the development of punishment from Greek and Roman times, through the Middle Ages
and up to the Age of Enlightenment.
The Roman empire’s code of law was adopted by Emperor Justinian where they tried to
implement the scales of justice, also known as where the punishment fits the crime. The scales of
justice system did not last long and fell with the Roman empire. Greece was one of the first
societies to implement a law where both citizens and slaves could be charged or penalized for the
same crime, known as Draco. The Greeks also were the first to allow citizens to prosecute
offenders in favor of the injured party. This type of punishment by the Greeks was steered more
towards the interest of the public rather than the victim. The middle ages suffered very harsh and
enduring times of punishment where the church became the trial court. This was a period where
crimes were seen as sin against the church and god, not just society. Therefore the punishments
were paid to god by sacrifices and often times resulted in the death of the accused. The age of
enlightenment became the turning point in corrections history, where punishment steered away
from how it used to be. This is the point where punishment turned from the individual to society
and how it affected the offender and caused them to commit such crimes. This was a time where
philosophy in America and European countries was drastically changing, people were moving
outside of their traditions and know that things had to change.
2. Describe the differences between the two competing systems of prison design in America.
The Pennsylvania and Auburn systems are completely opposite of one another. The
Pennsylvania system is based on larger individual cells where inmates would also perform labor
within those cells. The Pennsylvania system emphasizes isolation, where inmates would remain
in their cells throughout their sentence exercising and performing labor within those cells. The
Auburn system is based on smaller cells which are meant for only sleeping in, this system
emphasizes interaction among other inmates. Recreational and labor time would be spent by
inmates working and socializing together. More states have adopted and implemented the
Auburn system than the Pennsylvania system.
3. What are the three ways that punishment gets applied in the corrections system? What are
important elements in instituting each type of punishment? What is one shortcoming of each
punishment type?
The three different ways that punishment is applied in the corrections system is through
retribution, deterrence and incapacitation. It is these three ways that criminal behavior is
regulated in our society. Each applied method has its positives and negatives.
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Correctional Theory and Practice 2
Retribution is the process of an individual getting the punishment they deserve, because
retribution assumes that the offenders chose to commit the crime. Therefore they should receive
the punishment that is fitting to the crime. Some individuals argue against retribution because it
can go against the eighth amendment, and while the punishment fits the crime. It does not help
rehabilitate the offender and does not deter them from committing the crime again.
Now deterrence is the swift and public punishment, this is done so that the public will see. This
is supposed to show the public, that if you commit a crime this is what will happen to you. Thus
deterring individuals from committing such crimes. The only problem with this crime is that this
judgement continues on people even after they serve their punishment or time. Where originally
people were supposed to be able to go back to their same roles in society, but after convicted of a
crime. Then they are labeled by the public as a convict and are not accepted back into society.
Incapacitation is stated in our textbook as one of the best theories for punishment by limiting the
offenders ability to offend again by locking them up. Incapacitation does not necessarily mean
that the offender will be locked up in a cell, it could mean house arrest. The problem with
incapacitation is that it contributes to the over populated prisons.
4. Describe the goals of punishment from 1930 to the present. Which goal of punishment
dominated corrections until the 1970s? Why did its popularity wane? Which goals of punishment
have replaced it and why?
From the 1930’s to the 1970’s the medical model was placed into the corrections system. This
system was established and implemented to, “make the ill well (Allen, Latessa, & Ponder,
2013).” As psychologists and corrections were reforming the prison system, “it became
necessary to diagnose the individual problem, develop a treatment program that might remedy it,
and then apply treatment (Allen, Latessa, & Ponder, 2013).” In the 1970’s is when corrections
started going back to the punishment ideology due to more crime and prisons began to become
overpopulated. Prisons went back to punishment ideology due to lack of funds to pay for
treatment programs and needed a system to fall back to.
5. Describe the four levels of security of inmates. What does custody look like at each level?
What privileges are given and what privileges are taken away when comparing one security level
to another?
The four security levels for inmates are: minimum security level, low security level, medium
security level and high security level. Each level serves a different purpose and is ran differently,
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Correctional Theory and Practice 3
depending on the inmates that are housed at that level. Here is a definition of each level, what it
looks like and the privileges granted at each level:
Minimum security level – These are also referred to as prison camps where there is very little
security. These facilities are generally for housing individuals who are in work programs, where
they are required to be when not working. Individuals are granted more privileges at these
facilities compared to the low, medium and high security levels. By being allowed to leave for
work as well as granted special passes to leave.
Low security level – These type of security level facilities have more security consisting of
perimeter fences and more staffing for closer monitoring of inmates. These types of facilities do
have strong work and rehab programs. These types of facilities are not granted as much
privileges as minimum facilities allowing them to leave to work, most work is typically done
within the facility. These types of facilities do not have the privileges like minimum facilities,
but more privileges than medium and high facilities.
Medium security level – These type of security level facilities are strongly secured and have an
even higher amount of staff compared to low level facilities for monitoring of inmates. These
facilities are designed mainly for housing and holding individuals, with perimeter fences and
electronic detection systems. These facilities do have a variety of work and treatment programs,
but are not granted the privileges to leave like in minimum facilities.
High security level – These type of security level facilities, also known as penitentiaries, are
secured with perimeter walls instead of fences. These facilities are strongly secured and staffed
very well for monitoring and close control of inmates. These facilities do not offer any type of
work or treatment programs. Inmates are not granted any privileges at these type of facilities, as
they are mainly housed in their cells all day.
6. Describe the history of jails from its origin in England to its current state in America.
The Bridewell Institution was one of the first workhouse’s in England established around the
1500’s. Other countries later modeled this institution. It wasn’t later until the 1600’s that William
Penn, the leader of the Quaker movement, brought penal reform to American and England. Many
detention facilities were in place in America and England, but it was not until 1773 that the first
state prison in Connecticut was established. Then in 1790 a specialty prison facility was
established in Pennsylvania. This was the beginning of prisons in America, that lead to the
growth of the corrections system.