Punishment & Sentencing (Chap. 9)
What are the four main goals of punishment in the U.S. criminal justice system?
Incapacitation, rehabilitation, deterrence, restorative justice.
What Enlightenment ideals influenced early corrections reform?
Rationalism, human rights, and individualism from Enlightenment thought.
What was the “hands-off” doctrine in relation to prisons before the 1960s?
Courts avoided interfering with prison administration.
What are the three primary goals of prison governance (the “three pillars” of order)?
Order (safety), amenities (comfort), and services (programs/healthcare).
What percentage of inmates in the U.S. are women, and what trend has been observed in recent decades?
Women ≈ 7% of U.S. inmates; numbers rising due to mandatory sentencing
What is the difference between general and specific deterrence?
General deterrence discourages the public; specific deterrence discourages the individual offender.
What are the main differences between the Pennsylvania and Auburn prison systems?
Pennsylvania = separate confinement in isolation; Auburn = congregate labor by day, isolation by night.
What did Cooper v. Pate (1964) establish for prisoner rights?
Gave prisoners the right to sue prison officials under the Civil Rights Act.
What are the four inmate role adaptations identified by researchers?
Doing Time, Gleaning, Jailing, Disorganized Criminal.
What unique challenges do women face while incarcerated?
Sexual misconduct, lack of vocational training, limited medical care, separation from children.
What is the difference between a determinate and an indeterminate sentence?
Determinate = fixed sentence; Indeterminate = flexible term determined by parole board.
What correctional model of the 1980s marked the “tough on crime” era and led to mass incarceration?
The Crime Control Model.
Which amendment protects prisoners from cruel and unusual punishment, and what does it require of prisons?
The Eighth Amendment; requires humane treatment and adequate health standards.
What is the “inmate code,” and why is it significant?
A code of behavior promoting inmate solidarity and opposition to staff authority.
What federal law established zero tolerance for sexual violence in prisons?
Prison Rape Elimination Act (2004).
Name two arguments for and against the death penalty.
For – deterrence, justice, prevention; Against – bias, wrongful conviction, moral opposition, cost.
What was the major reform introduced by the Elmira Reformatory in 1870?
Introduced indeterminate sentencing, parole, and education programs.
What did Wolff v. McDonnell (1974) guarantee for inmates facing disciplinary actions?
Guaranteed due process in prison disciplinary hearings (notice, evidence, right to defend).
Describe the difference between the custodial, rehabilitation, and reintegration models of incarceration.
Custodial = order and security; Rehabilitation = treatment and reform; Reintegration = family/community reentry focus.
Why are women’s prisons often considered less violent but more emotionally complex than men’s facilities?
Less physical violence but stronger emotional bonds and social dynamics among inmates
Which Supreme Court case reinstated the death penalty after it was ruled unconstitutional in Furman v. Georgia (1972)?
Gregg v. Georgia (1976).
List three major causes for the rise in incarceration rates in the past 30 years.
Tougher sentencing laws, the War on Drugs, and political “tough on crime” agendas.
What is Section 1983, and why is it significant for prisoners and correctional officers?
Section 1983 allows inmates to file civil lawsuits against state officials for rights violations.
What are some key causes of violence in prisons according to research?
Age, mental illness, racial tensions, overcrowding, inadequate supervision, and prison design.
What programs or policies could help address the needs of incarcerated mothers and their children?
Parenting programs, visitation reform, and facilities closer to children’s homes.