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Correctional reforms in the united states
Correctional reforms in the united states
Correctional reforms in the united states
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Do you know what prison held the most infamous criminals in all of the United States, including Al Capone? That prison was Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. Alcatraz has impacted society so much through the huge events that happened there and its opening and closing. Even Alcatraz’s time as a military prison before remodeling into the penitentiary we know today has impacted lives. High crime rates and the rising criminal population caused Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary to open, and it has impacted thousands of guards, inmates, and even tourists today.
Alcatraz’s Beginning and End
Alcatraz is one of the best known prisons in America. Alcatraz is a maximum-security federal penitentiary used only to hold America’s most infamous offenders. After
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years of being left alone because it wasn’t useful as a place of community, Alcatraz Island was finally used as a military prison. By 1912, the criminal population was overwhelming so the military prison was transformed into a maximum-security prison, and Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary was born (Stuller & Lefebure, 1995). Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary was opened in the year 1934 (Presnall, 2001). Alcatraz was built to hold only the biggest and most malignant criminals in the country (Stuller & Lefebure,1995). Alcatraz Island was chosen to be the new home of Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary because of it’s remoteness. It made inmates feel diffident and lonely (Presnall, 2001). Because of it’s harsh condition and location, Alcatraz was commonly called “Uncle Sam’s Devil’s Island” or “Hellcatraz” by many inmates (Stuller & Lefebure, 1995). Alcatraz Prison was closed on March 21, 1963 by Attorney General Robert Kennedy (Barter, 2000). History of Alcatraz Alcatraz had many purposes before it opened and after it shut down. Because of soaring prices to preserve Alcatraz, many people decided it was time to shut down the military prison and move on, even after housing military prisons and Indians, so they remodeled it in 1912. When the gangster population grew in the 1930’s, it was up to prison wardens to control them. The growing problems criminals were causing had to be controlled, so people relied on on a new prison, Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary (Stuller & Lefebure, 1995). Even though Alcatraz was the biggest maximum-security prison in the country, it was forced to shut down because of the degeneration of the building and the lofty costs of fixing it (Barter, 2000). Alcatraz and It’s Interesting Discipline Alcatraz is known for its harsh and brutal discipline of inmates and in some cases, pushed it too far. Because inmates were not trusted to hold true to their sentence, there were various ways that Alcatraz prevented riots and escapes. Outside of the prison, barbed wire surrounded the penitentiary, and boats alerted citizens to remain as far away from the prison as possible. Inside, tear-gas containers were available and officers were on duty 24/7 (Stuller & Lefebure, 1995). If inmates didn’t follow the rules or committed other offenses, they would be sent to D-Block. Depending on how big of an offense the inmate committed determined how long the inmate was stuck in their cell and what cell they went to (Barter, 2000). Because of Alcatraz’s atrocity and bitter approach to discipline, many inmates developed serious psychological problems. Many were beaten multiple times, like Henry Young, who had killed a man, but was never charged because of mental issues caused by these beatings (Stuller & Lefebure, 1995). If inmates were injured or needed medical attention, there wasn’t much they could do to alleviate the pain. Therapy or medication for slight injuries were the only solutions (Barter, 2000). Blacks were also harassed throughout parts of the prison. Segregation didn’t stop there however. Segregation of blacks was so strong that B-Block was reserved for blacks only to end conflict between blacks and whites, Broadway housed whites, and C-Block was used for new inmates only (Presnall, 2001). To ensure no criminal information got into the prison, inmates were allowed only an hour visit per month with officers close by to supervise the conversations. Also to ensure no inappropriate propaganda entered the prison, inmates had to speak through a telephone and glass window (Stuller & Lefebure, 1995). Alcatraz's Biggest Events Some of the biggest prison escapes and conflicts in American history happened on Alcatraz Island.
In 1946, three inmates and two guards lost their lives in the worst escape attempt in the history of the penitentiary, the Battle of Alcatraz. The prisoners decided that if they couldn’t escape, they would die trying, and three of the men got their wish (Presnall, 2001). Another major event that happened at Alcatraz was the American Indian Occupation. Because the Sioux Indians had no authority to take Alcatraz and make it into whatever they wanted, the court declined their suit to possess the island. The Sioux’s argued to John Mitchell, attorney general, that they only wanted to use the island as a university for Indians. Eleven days after the Indians had originally come onto the island to claim Alcatraz in 1969, a large group of Indians then refused to leave the island because they felt they had the right to found a place for Native Americans to feel welcome and share their beliefs (Barter, …show more content…
2000). Alcatraz’s Impact on Society Before Alcatraz was closed, it had impacted the lives of so many people that either lived or worked on the island.
Alcatraz has very directly affected the guards. Many were killed, maimed, or mentally scarred from their experiences on the island (Barter, 2000). Although families were safe from harm on Alcatraz Island because of the security of the prison, parents did fret over the hazards that were not safe for children. Hazards include falling into the bay, falling off of the steep cliffs around the island, or falling into the sea (Presnall, 2001). The scenery that Alcatraz offered did nothing for inmates and often contributed to their anguish and homesickness. Inmates also were affected by the environment of Alcatraz and how uninviting it was for them (Stuller & Lefebure, 1995). The Indians of the American Indian Occupation were impacted, too. The Indians wanted a small part of the island to be theirs for a Native American cultural center, but because of the Department of the Interior’s refusal of this, the island was instead made into a national park, and totally ignored the Native Americans’ request (Barter,
2000). Even after 53 years of being closed, Alcatraz continues to impact people’s lives today. Visitors and tourists are affected by Alcatraz in many ways as well. They often leave the island very effervescent, and are touched by Alcatraz in some way, whether it be from the views of the island or the tour of the prison (Barter, 2000). Conclusion So many inmates, guards, and tourists have been impacted by Alcatraz since its opening in 1934 because of crime in America. Our society has been impacted and is still being affected today because of everything that happened on Alcatraz, from its beginning and end to the amazing escapes and conflicts to Alcatraz’s brutal discipline. Alcatraz is the greatest penitentiary in America, and will continue to impact our communities for years to come.
The Yuma Territorial Prison is one of the main pillars in the growth of Arizona as the wild west was tamed. Its existence served not only as a beacon of civilization but that of consequence for those who resisted human expansion’s natural progression. As it existed many thought of it as a joke giving those inside the easy life or the likes of a concentration camp but in the middle of civilian held war, the prison stood toward the future. From near modern advances to holding those refusing to be held and even continueing on helping those of Yuma for years to come. This paper will use sources explaining the history of the prison and be about the experience, conditions, and personality of many of the prisoners along with major events in the prisoners lives explaining how the prison evolved during and after their stay.
When envisioning a prison, one often conceptualizes a grisly scene of hardened rapists and murderers wandering aimlessly down the darkened halls of Alcatraz, as opposed to a pleasant facility catering to the needs of troubled souls. Prisons have long been a source of punishment for inmates in America and the debate continues as to whether or not an overhaul of the US prison system should occur. Such an overhaul would readjust the focuses of prison to rehabilitation and incarceration of inmates instead of the current focuses of punishment and incarceration. Altering the goal of the entire state and federal prison system for the purpose of rehabilitation is an unrealistic objective, however. Rehabilitation should not be the main purpose of prison because there are outlying factors that negatively affect the success of rehabilitation programs and such programs would be too costly for prisons currently struggling to accommodate additional inmate needs.
What are the Causes and Effects of the Native American Occupation of Alcatraz Island? Dating back to the first occurrence of European colonization in the New World, Europeans have advanced their agenda of territorial expansion through the conquering of indigenous peoples. Clashes of culture brought forth a series of conflicts between Native Americans and European settlers that centered around differing religious beliefs and land ideologies. A tidal wave of new diseases also severely weakened the Native American population across the continent, leaving them vulnerable to the increased influx of European settlements. Over the span of 500 years, the European impact would eradicate an estimated 60 million Native Americans (“Native North Americans”).
...hole”. Other than the harsh conditions warden had on us a times life wasn’t bad at Alcatraz. Kelly’s cellmate said he would get depressed when he got mail from his family and that he regretted all the crimes he committed to get himself locked up here. I didn’t believe him till I got a job in the mail room. I constantly saw letters from Kelly sent to Urschel begging him to plead his case, I never saw a reply to Kelly’s letters.
The Indians claimed the blaze was an accident or perhaps even the work of outside provocateurs.” (Andrews). In the end, Alcatraz is known to be a historical place for people to now visit. There will always be a tie to the Native Americans. Hair-raising sightings and unexplained things are all people hear about when it comes to Alcatraz.
The 1970s in the United States was a time of incredible change, doubt, as well as reform. The many issues happening throughout the country helped to lead to the discomfort in many prisoners that eventually lead to their e...
Al Capone once said about Alcatraz " Don't mistake my kindness for weakness, I am kind to everyone, but when someone is unkind to me, weak is not what you are going to remember me about." One of the most dreaded prisons in America was Alcatraz, it was built on an island in the San Francisco Bay. Alcatraz was made for the United States most dangerous and difficult people during its years of being operated. Even though Alcatraz was built as a top end prison it was possible to escape, however it seemed prisoners never made it off the island alive.
Churchill claims that during the 1970s, the U.S. government carried out a "counterinsurgency war against the American Indian Movement" (Churchill 219) and their objective was to oppress and halt the American Indian Movement's ability to "pursue an agenda of Indian treaty rights, land recovery, and national sovereignty in North America" (Churchill 219) making them a target of negative propaganda and oppression. I believe that Churchill's claims are valid and deserve merit due to the fact that he supports his claims with evidence and refers to reliable authorities and sources. He also cites specific examples, uses valid numbers, statistics and facts to support his thesis and claims. I will also be using several outside sources, including the book Prison Writings written by Leonard Peltier to strengthen my position.
In the 1970s, prison was a dangerous place. Prison violence and the high numbers of disruptive inmates led prison authorities to seek new ways to control prisoners. At first, prison staff sought to minimize contact with prisoners by keeping them in their cells for a majority of the day. As time went on, the prison authorities began to brainstorm the idea of having entire prisons dedicated to using these kind of procedures to control the most violent and disruptive inmates. By 1984, many states began construction on super-maximum prisons. In California, two supermax facilities were built by the state: Corcoran State Prison in 1988, and then Pelican Bay in 1989. The federal government soon followed suit and in 1994, the “first federal supermax opened, in Florence, Colorado.” It was not much longer before supermax prisons could be seen all over the country (Abramsky). In Wisconsin’s supermax facility, with similar conditions being found in a majority of supermaxes, there are “100-cell housing units” that are in groups of 25 cells. These cells all face a secured central area. Technology plays a major role in keeping the facility to the highest security standards. Every cell’s doors are controlled remotely and the cells include “video surveillance, motion detection and exterior lighting” (Berge). With these technological securities, there are also procedural precautions. Inmates are kept in their cells for 23 hours a day until their sentences are done. This is said to be for prisoner and staff safety, although some feel otherwise. In 2001, 600 inmates at Pelican Bay went on a hunger strike, demanding reform. Those on hunger strike believed that the isolation and deprivation they faced was against their Eighth Amendment rights. ...
Native Americans have felt distress from societal and governmental interactions for hundreds of years. American Indian protests against these pressures date back to the colonial period. Broken treaties, removal policies, acculturation, and assimilation have scarred the indigenous societies of the United States. These policies and the continued oppression of the native communities produced an atmosphere of heightened tension. Governmental pressure for assimilation and their apparent aim to destroy cultures, communities, and identities through policies gave the native people a reason to fight. The unanticipated consequence was the subsequent creation of a pan-American Indian identity of the 1960s. These factors combined with poverty, racism, and prolonged discrimination fueled a resentment that had been present in Indian communities for many years. In 1968, the formation of the American Indian Movement took place to tackle the situation and position of Native Americans in society. This movement gave way to a series of radical protests, which were designed to draw awareness to the concerns of American Indians and to compel the federal government to act on their behalf. The movement’s major events were the occupation of Alcatraz, Mount Rushmore, The Trail of Broken Treaties, and Wounded Knee II. These AIM efforts in the 1960s and 1970s era of protest contained many sociological theories that helped and hindered the Native Americans success. The Governments continued repression of the Native Americans assisted in the more radicalized approach of the American Indian Movement. Radical tactics combined with media attention stained the AIM and their effectiveness. Native militancy became a repertoire of action along with adopted strategies from the Civil Rights Movement. In this essay, I will explain the formation of AIM and their major events, while revealing that this identity based social movement’s radical approach led to a harsher governmentally repressive counter movement that ultimately influenced the movements decline.
In America alone, we have the highest prison population in the world. There are about 2,200,000 Americans incarcerated in jails,
2. Professor Clyde W. Richins, University of Michigan, 1990, Vol. 1 of "In the life of Alcatraz" pages 1944- 46
Overcrowding of prisons due to mass incarceration is among one of the biggest problems in America, mass incarceration has ruined many families and lives over the years.America has the highest prison population rate , over the past forty years from 1984 until 2014 that number has grown by four hundred percent .America has four percent of the world population ,but twenty-five percent of the world population of incarcerated people Forty one percent of American juveniles have been or going to be arrested before the age of 23. America has been experimenting with incarceration as a way of showing that they are tough on crime but it actually it just show that they are tough on criminals. imprisonment was put in place to punish, criminals, protect society and rehabilitate criminals for their return into the society .
The first issue that I would like to address is the overcrowding issues in prisons. In my opinion, overcrowding issues are the biggest issues in our correctional system that concerns every citizen. Running a prison required money, resources and manpower, with overcrowding issues, the government would have no choice but to increase the number of correctional facilities, privatized prisons and increasing manpower. According to (Levitt, 1996), “The incarceration rate in the United States has more than tripled in the last two decades. At year-end 1994 the United States prison population exceeded one million. Annual government outlays on prisons are roughly $40 billion per year. The rate of imprisonment in the United States is three to four times greater than most European countries.” (p.1). Overcrowding issues are not only affect prisons but the society as a whole as well. The reason is simply because prison population directly refl...
Everyone knows about the famous prison: Alcatraz. Some know that the most dangerous criminals were placed there. Others know multiple people attempted to escape the penitentiary. The history of Alcatraz explains why people kept trying to leave and the planning stage of how they was going to follow through with the final escape.