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Jails
For many years before jails were established, it was a place prisoners were kept awating certain death or punishment. Now the purpose for jails is retribution, incapacitation, deterrence and rehabilitation. -
Walnut Street Prison
The Walnut Street Prison was built as a conventional jail just before the American Revolution. The jail was given the name of a penitentiary by local quakers meaning a place to reflect on their crimes and to repent. -
Pennsylvanian System
The Pennsylvanian system carried the belief that prisoners were meant to be held in solitary confinment and have no social interactions with other inmates. This was a rigid way of running a prison system and was causing more harm than good. -
Children in Prison
"At the age of just 16, this young man had been in and out of prison, but on this occasion he was sentenced for 2 months for stealing some shirts." Anyone was in danger of going to jail no matter how small the crime. Children were housed with adults until the Prison Reform Movement of 1870 and this was dangerous. -
Prison Reform Movement
The reason for the reform was to try and change the condition of prisons and the life the prisoners were living while incarcerated. The conditions were bad and everyone lived in solitude. -
Auburn System
When the Auburn system was put in place it was in hopes of being able to rehabilitate prisoners. Providing them with tools they might need when they get out of prison while giving back to the community. -
Attica Prison
The Attica State prison was one of the biggest prison riot to date. The riot was ignited because of poor living conditions, overcrowding, lack of hygien supplies, and rascism. -
Prison Today
Today prisons are more advanced but still suffer from working with a low budget and being understaffed. The amount of death scentences has been significantly reduced and not an option in many states. Inmates are able to attend programs and work while incarcerated.
