Lecture 5: Prison Reform Flashcards
What monumental shift does Foucault discuss in “Discipline and Punish” regarding penal styles, and what prompted this transition?
Foucault explores the transition from a “culture of spectacle,” marked by corporal punishment, to a “carceral culture” centered around imprisonment.
This shift was prompted by nineteenth-century concerns over the inhumane treatment of prisoners and the insane, leading to a reformist agenda that introduced the prison system.
Contrary to the belief that this reform aimed at humane treatment, Foucault challenges this notion, suggesting that the shift occurred because prisons were deemed more efficient in punishment rather than solely for humanitarian reasons.
What monumental shift does Foucault discuss in “Discipline and Punish” regarding penal styles, and what prompted this transition?
Foucault explores the transition from a “culture of spectacle,” marked by corporal punishment, to a “carceral culture” centered around imprisonment.
This shift was prompted by nineteenth-century concerns over the inhumane treatment of prisoners and the insane, leading to a reformist agenda that introduced the prison system.
Contrary to the belief that this reform aimed at humane treatment, Foucault challenges this notion, suggesting that the shift occurred because prisons were deemed more efficient in punishment rather than solely for humanitarian reasons.
What practical impact did the birth of the prison have on reformist views, and what key idea was introduced regarding the management of prisoners’ power?
The emergence of the prison system served as a reality check on reformists’ overly optimistic views about imprisonment, highlighting its efficiency in managing marginalized groups and exercising subtle yet relentless forms of power.
Although the Panopticon architectural design was never constructed, it introduced the notion that constant physical confinement wasn’t necessary to exert control over prisoners.
Modern-day prisons employ various surveillance methods like routines, regimented timetables, inspections, monitored mealtimes, work shifts, supervised ‘free time,’ and CCTV to maintain order and control.
The birth of the prison reformed the function of punishment, focusing on observing and correcting behaviors deemed counterproductive within the system.
What were some of the primary recommendations outlined in the Woolf Report of 1991, and what did it aim to reform in the prison system?
The Woolf Report, considered a significant reform agenda for the subsequent three decades, emphasized the need for recognizing and changing the treatment of prisoners, placing importance on justice within prisons.
It proposed new or revised projects aiming to transform and enhance prison conditions and operations, focusing on modernization efforts for betterment.
The report also highlighted the relationship between political rhetoric, penal reform, and the intended aims of imprisonment, in addition to advocating for a prison building program.
How has political rhetoric influenced the aims of imprisonment, and what are the contrasting viewpoints regarding the effectiveness of prisons?
Political rhetoric has often presented conflicting viewpoints regarding the efficacy of imprisonment. Critics argue that prisons have failed in meeting their intended aims, such as preventing future crimes through deterrence, incapacitation, rehabilitation, or as a deserved punishment.
Over time, successive justice secretaries have promised reforms and advocated for ‘new approaches’ to the penal system, with some advocating for harsher prison environments under the notion that “Prison Works” by building more punitive institutions.
Contrary to this punitive approach, the concept of the “Rehabilitation Revolution” proposes a series of reform agendas emphasizing the need to reshape rehabilitation, resettlement, and efforts toward desistance from crime.
What contradictory viewpoints and policy shifts were observed in the political rhetoric regarding imprisonment during the Conservative Party Conference in October 1993?
During the Conservative Party Conference in 1993, the Home Secretary, Michael Howard, proclaimed the ideology that “Prison Works,” asserting that it safeguards society from serious criminals and deters potential offenders.
This stance contradicted previous government judgments acknowledging prisons as an expensive means of exacerbating criminal behavior, as stated in the Home Office report of 1990 (p.6).
This governmental U-turn also conflicted with the Criminal Justice Act of 1991, following the Strangeways Riot and the recommendations outlined in the Woolf Report, highlighting discontinuity in policy direction.
What innovative features characterize HMP Five, the UK’s first ‘smart’ prison?
MP Five employs X-shaped blocks with wider corridors and fewer inmates per wing for better staff visibility.
It incorporates ultra-secure, bar-less windows to prevent illegal item entry via drones.
In-cell tablets offer secure access to education, complemented by cutting-edge body scanners to prevent contraband.
The prison collaborates with local employers, providing on-the-job training and employment opportunities for ex-offenders.
