Séance 3 : US imprisons one in 100 adults Flashcards
Prison/jail
A building in which people are legally held as a punishment for a crime they have committed or while awaiting trial.
A place for the confinement of people accused or convicted of a crime
In US : prison ≠ jail
About the length of the sentence and the seriousness of a crime
A jail houses people who’ve been acccused or convicted of lesser/minor offenses and are given short sentences (generally one year or less)
By contrast a prison is designed for long-term confinement.
In US : prison ≠ jail
the authority who runs the facility
Jails are generally run / managed / operated by a county sheriff’s department, unlike prisons which are run by state oor federal governments.
Federal
People who break federal laws go to federal prisons.
Federal laws apply to everyone in the US whereas state laws to people who live in a particular state.
State
People who break state laws go to state prisons.
Federalism
a system of government in which political power is divided between a national government and 50 state government. States have their own legislative branch, executive branch, and judicial branch. The states are empowered to pass, enforce, and interpret laws, as long these laws do not violate the US Constitution (the supreme law of the nation) and federal laws.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
The section of the US Department of Justice which investigates crimes against federal laws. The FBI focuses on threats that challenge the foundations of American society or involve dangers too large and complex for any local or state authority to handle.
The FBI was established in 1908. Its motto is “Fidelity, Bravery and Integrity”.
One major figure of the FBI is J. Edgar Hoover who was its first director from 1924 to 1972.
Texas legislature
the legislative body of the state of texas which makes laws for Texas only.
US congress
The US congress makes federal laws that apply to all the US citizens. It is made up of two Houses : The Senate and the House of Representatives.
Libération conditionnelle
Parole
The temporary or permanent release of a prisoner before the expiry of a sentence on the promise / condition of good behaviour.
The conditional release of a person convicted of a crime prior to the expiration of that person’s term of imprisonment, subject to the supervision of correctional authorities.
Liberté surveillée
Probation
a legal system for dealing with criminals (young or minor offenders) who are not sent to prison on the condition / provided that they behave well; they are supervised by a probation officer.
