Introduction

Because it only interacts with people who have been charged with or convicted of a crime, corrections has long been the criminal justice system component with which the fewest people have experience. Here, you will explore the corrections system by distinguishing between jail and prison, as well as by examining the new trend of private facilities.

All resources that can be found in your textbook, Introduction to Criminal Justice Interactive eBook, will be preceded by the word Textbook (e.g., Textbook Journal or Textbook Video). These resources can be easily located in the Media Library at the beginning of each chapter in the textbook. You will also find them embedded in the text as you complete your reading assignments.

Textbook: Introduction to Criminal Justice Interactive eBook, Chapter 12

This chapter explores all three levels of correctional institutions: local and county jails, state prisons, and federal prisons. It provides an overview of all three systems by reviewing their evolution and organization, population trends and classification of inmates, and some technologies associated with jails and prisons. The chapter also focuses on the organizational structure of corrections, including cost information, demographics, their mission, and the purposes of classification systems. After you review this resource, you should be able to answer the following questions:

What are the differences between jails and prisons in relation to purpose, organization, and structure?
What are some technologies used in a correctional setting?

Make sure you watch these videos contained within your textbook resource:

Textbook Video: Student on the Street Video 12.1: What Is the Difference Between Jails and Prisons? (3:53)
This video contains a series of short interviews in which students are asked to consider the following: What is the difference between jails and prisons?

Textbook Video: Student on the Street Video 12.2: Which Country Imprisons the Most People? (4:38)
This video contains a series of short interviews in which students are asked to consider the following: Which country imprisons the most people?

Textbook Video: Author Video 12.1: Prisons and Jails as Productive Places (2:51)
This video discusses some of the work programs and educational opportunities that are made available to those who are incarcerated, and it briefly touches on some of the objections regarding the same.

Website: Discover Corrections: Explore the Field opens in new window
This website examines the different disciplines available in the field of corrections, breaking down career opportunities and qualifications at local and state, federal, and tribal levels. After you review this resource, you should be able to answer the following questions:

What are the three main disciplines in the field of corrections?
What are tribal and Indian Country jurisdictions, and how do they differ from typical local, state, and federal jurisdictions?
What are the key differences between community corrections, jails, and prisons?
Textbook Video: SAGE News Clip 12.1: SCOTUS Decisions (1:37)

This video will expand your knowledge. It discusses two Supreme Court decisions, one addressing how long inmates should remain in prison and the other addressing juveniles serving life sentences.

Textbook Journal: Journal 12.2: Quality of Prison Operations in the U.S. Federal Sector (pages 27–37 and 40–50)
This journal article will expand your knowledge. It presents a survey approach that allows for comparison of private and public prisons for the purpose of making decisions about which institutions might be more effective. After reviewing this resource, you should be able to answer the following questions: