Corrections Flashcards
What was the idea around crime back in the day
Crimes were seen as sins against god, and the sovereign who was thought to be god on earth.
Why was brutal punishment used?
It was used to undo the wrong-doing of the sin against god, it was to balance out the ‘actions of the devil’
True or False?
Cells were used to hold prisoners long term
False, they used to be used to hold prisoners before trial and execution or torture. E.g the Tower of London.
What is a house of corrections?
Became popular after the 1550’s houses of corrections were used to hold prisoners long term and aimed at correcting their behaviour. This helped change the idea about punishment and detention.
What were some of the examples of punishments used in the 17th century?
Stocks, galley servitude, torture, and many forms of execution.
What was another reason for punishments being so harsh?
As to show the power of the sovereign, and to show people not to cross them.
True or False?
During the 18th century in England there were 200+ crimes that were punishable by death
True! Some of these included crimes such as highway theft, and murder
What was Beccaria’s views on crimes and punishment?
He had a progressive view on punishment, he believed in restoring morality and reason within offenders. This was also to do away with the religious element of punishment.
What is transportation?
Prisoners from the UK were sent to the USA until it’s independence to rid the UK of the evil and sin of offenders. After the American independence offenders were mainly sent to the colonies such as Australia.
True or False?
Once prisoners were transported to the colonies they would be able to live there freely
False, they would work in labour camps and this punishment was brutal.
What did Howard and Bentham argue for in relation to prisons?
They were advocates for focusing on redemption and morality restoration within prisoners. They were instrumental in the improvements in the conditions within prisons.
What was the idea behind the panopticon design prison?
The prisoners would be in isolation and in silence, this was done so they could focus on the wrongdoing they have done. This was created by Bentham
What was the panopticon design?
It was a circular room with a tower in the middle and cells around, this was so the guards and public could see all the prisoners and have them before judgement.
What philosophy was the penitentiary based off of?
The Quaker philosophy of of the separate system, no one was allowed to talk or see each other all the prisoners were to be secluded from each other. They were to be silent and only given a bible to reflect on their sins.
What is the ‘silent system’?
Prisoners could work together and be in the same places but were not allowed to communicate, no staff would talk to the prisoners either. The lock-step system was used to move prisoners.
