Auburn and Pennsylvania Correctional Systems
Describe the Auburn and Pennsylvania correctional systems in detail. Be sure to list and describe the structures of both, as well as the living conditions and effect each system had on inmates. How are these correctional systems different from today’s correctional systems? What do you think is the most effective system overall and why? Explain all of your answers in detail.
Your completed written assignment should be 2-3 pages. All submissions should be formatted in a 12 point Times New Roman font. Your answer should contain paraphrased information from at least one valid source other than your textbook, and all citations and references should be properly cited in APA format (6th edition).
Auburn and Pennsylvania Correctional Systems
The Pennsylvania correctional system is based on the goal of reforming the prisoners. Initially, the correctional systems had a history of criminal mistreatment, but this was changed followed the reforms that were initiated. Therefore, it operated under the separate system where the prisoners were given a chance to reflect on their crimes before undergoing the corrections. The focus of the Pennsylvania correction system is now based on the rehabilitation processes where the offenders are converted to be responsible citizens. Therefore, the system is based on isolation, humanitarianism, the working of the prisoners, and the shift from retribution to rehabilitation. Isolation is whereby the prisoner is given a chance to look back on the crimes committed while the humanitarian activities are based on the provision of better health care and food (Blake, 1840). On the other hand, the system also allowed the prisoners to know how to create goods and trading. The Pennsylvania system was termed as a separate system and encouraging the confinement of the inmates. The convicts were separated and confined separately and hence allowing fewer interactions.
On the other hand, the Auburn system was an improvement of the Pennsylvania system, where it allowed the inmates or the offenders to come together to construct and participate in the production process (Blake, 1840). The production of goods was initiated and allowed ad; this led to an increase in income generation. Several reforms were introduced in the system, such as allowing the criminals to interact during meals and prayer times. The Auburn system is known as a tier system. The system is whereby the different buildings are used to house different levels of criminals. The criminals were classified as murderers, thieves, repeaters. Since the system was more oriented to the generation of income, it was regarded as cost-effective and more efficient. The Auburn system was regarded as the silent and the social system.
The correctional systems are different from the current system due to different practices and other the treatment of the prisoners. The current system has allowed close interactions within the correction facilities. Overcrowding in prisoners has made it difficult to separate the criminals. Moreover, comparing the correction systems of Pennsylvania and Auburn, the current system has not implemented to necessary reforms that ensure that the offenders graduate to responsible citizens after the completion of their jail term. In many cases, the offenders can repeat engaging in crimes because of a lack of strategies to integrate them into society. The current correction facilities expose the individuals to more suffering and punishment rather than teaching them on investment in the production of goods that can eventually generate income.
The most effective way is to deal with the issues facing correction facilities, such as overcrowding and mistreatment. The judicial service system should initiate the measures of addressing the issues facing the correction facilities. The process could include the reduced jail term of petty offenders and cleaning of the system in the process of reducing corruption. The other approach is designing the programs that can train the offenders on how to produce goods and services as well as engaging in business activities. An increase in the use of technologies will also help in ensuring efficiency in the provision of services and thus providing some of the better ways of solving the challenges.
Reference
Blake, A. V. (1840). Prison Discipline. The Auburn and Pennsylvania Systems Compared. Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/law/mlr/Lieber_Collection-pdf/Prison-Discipline.pdf
