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How Prisons Work
by Ed Grabianowski
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Grabianowski, Ed. "How Prisons Work." 24 January 2007. HowStuffWorks.com.
- Introduction to How Prisons Work
- Life in a Prison Cell
- Prisoner Commerce and Outside Contact
- Crime and Punishment Inside Prisons
- Controversy: Rehabilitation or Punishment?
- Lots More Information
- See more »
- See all Crime & Crime Prevention articles
- More People Videos »
- Time in solitary confinement (The Hole)
- Removal of accumulated "good behavior" time
- Transfer to a less desirable prison job
- Confiscation of items
- Transfer to another, higher-security prison
There are more informal punishments as well. Guards can mete out discipline without any hearing in many circumstances. A common tactic is to ransack the prisoner's cell searching for contraband, possibly damaging some of the inmate's possessions. If any contraband is found, the inmate will be in even more trouble. Guards can also use physical force on inmates who disobey direct orders. It is not uncommon for guards to fire shotguns at prisoners whenever they see any commotion.
Serious crimes that occur in prison, such as murder or assault, can result in charges being pressed and a full trial.
Not everyone in a prison is a psychopathic murderer, but in maximum security prisons, a larger percentage of the inmates are violent offenders -- people who are willing to use violence to get what they want. Prisoners often maintain a "might makes right" philosophy. Inmates who show cowardice or fail to stand up to threats are quickly marked as pushovers and forced to run errands and provide contraband for other prisoners. They may also be beaten or abused.
When a beating or even a murder happens in prison, there are rarely any witnesses. Cons have a strict rule against "snitching," so even a murder in a crowded prison yard can go unsolved. This rule isn't upheld by any sense of honor -- snitches are repaid by swift, violent retribution. Other inmates often learn quickly to keep their mouths shut, no matter what they saw.
Prisoners outnumber guards in prisons. If the prisoners rise up violently, they may gain control of sections of the prison (or even the whole prison), take guards hostage and capture weapons. Many inmates take advantage of the momentary lawlessness to commit violence against other prisoners. In some cases, the prisoners have a genuine grievance because of poor conditions in the prison.
Photo courtesy ©2007 The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Inmates at Attica Correctional Facility are guarded by police officers, after helicopters dropped tear gas as part of the retaking effort.
The most notorious prison riot in U.S. history is the Attica Riot of 1971. Inmates complained of deplorable conditions at Attica Correctional Facility in Attica, New York, but were ignored. They assaulted a guard and took over most of the prison, attempting to negotiate for better conditions. Eventually, state and local police stormed the prison. In the riot and the retaking of the prison, 39 guards and prisoners were killed.
In 1980, the New Mexico State Penitentiary near Santa Fe was the scene of a brutal uprising. While no guards were killed, seven were severely beaten and 33 inmates were killed. Some of the inmate killings were reportedly the result of torture.
We'll look at some more of the controversies associated with prisons in the next section.
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- Introduction to How Prisons Work
- Life in a Prison Cell
- Prisoner Commerce and Outside Contact
- Crime and Punishment Inside Prisons
- Controversy: Rehabilitation or Punishment?
- Lots More Information
- See all Crime & Crime Prevention articles
- Capital Punishment
- Pros Capital Punishment
- For Capital Punishment
- The Capital Punishment
- Capital Punishment USA
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Prices: Prison Alternative Books Craig Russell - Alternatives to Prison: Rehabilitation and Other Programs
Release Date: December 30, 2006$23.00 - $28.00 Alternatives To Prison: Options for an Insecure Society
Release Date: November 01, 2004$38.00 - $42.00 Robert G. Thomas - Effective Teaching in Correctional Settings: Prisons, Jails, Juvenile Centers, and Alternative Schools
Release Date: September 01, 2008$36.00 - $49.00
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Dahlia O'Reilly
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoHow Prisons Work
by Ed Grabianowski
- Cite
- Feedback
- E-mail This
- Digg This
- Yahoo! Buzz
- StumbleUpon
- TwitThis
- Recommend (1)
Grabianowski, Ed. "How Prisons Work." 24 January 2007. HowStuffWorks.com.
- Introduction to How Prisons Work
- Life in a Prison Cell
- Prisoner Commerce and Outside Contact
- Crime and Punishment Inside Prisons
- Controversy: Rehabilitation or Punishment?
- Lots More Information
- See more »
- See all Crime & Crime Prevention articles
- More People Videos »
- Time in solitary confinement (The Hole)
- Removal of accumulated "good behavior" time
- Transfer to a less desirable prison job
- Confiscation of items
- Transfer to another, higher-security prison
There are more informal punishments as well. Guards can mete out discipline without any hearing in many circumstances. A common tactic is to ransack the prisoner's cell searching for contraband, possibly damaging some of the inmate's possessions. If any contraband is found, the inmate will be in even more trouble. Guards can also use physical force on inmates who disobey direct orders. It is not uncommon for guards to fire shotguns at prisoners whenever they see any commotion.
Serious crimes that occur in prison, such as murder or assault, can result in charges being pressed and a full trial.
Not everyone in a prison is a psychopathic murderer, but in maximum security prisons, a larger percentage of the inmates are violent offenders -- people who are willing to use violence to get what they want. Prisoners often maintain a "might makes right" philosophy. Inmates who show cowardice or fail to stand up to threats are quickly marked as pushovers and forced to run errands and provide contraband for other prisoners. They may also be beaten or abused.
When a beating or even a murder happens in prison, there are rarely any witnesses. Cons have a strict rule against "snitching," so even a murder in a crowded prison yard can go unsolved. This rule isn't upheld by any sense of honor -- snitches are repaid by swift, violent retribution. Other inmates often learn quickly to keep their mouths shut, no matter what they saw.
Prisoners outnumber guards in prisons. If the prisoners rise up violently, they may gain control of sections of the prison (or even the whole prison), take guards hostage and capture weapons. Many inmates take advantage of the momentary lawlessness to commit violence against other prisoners. In some cases, the prisoners have a genuine grievance because of poor conditions in the prison.
Photo courtesy ©2007 The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Inmates at Attica Correctional Facility are guarded by police officers, after helicopters dropped tear gas as part of the retaking effort.
The most notorious prison riot in U.S. history is the Attica Riot of 1971. Inmates complained of deplorable conditions at Attica Correctional Facility in Attica, New York, but were ignored. They assaulted a guard and took over most of the prison, attempting to negotiate for better conditions. Eventually, state and local police stormed the prison. In the riot and the retaking of the prison, 39 guards and prisoners were killed.
In 1980, the New Mexico State Penitentiary near Santa Fe was the scene of a brutal uprising. While no guards were killed, seven were severely beaten and 33 inmates were killed. Some of the inmate killings were reportedly the result of torture.
We'll look at some more of the controversies associated with prisons in the next section.
Previous Page Next PageAds by Google
- 1 Trick of a tiny belly :
Cut down a bit of your belly every day by using this 1 weird old tip.
Fatburningfurnace.com
- 2 Yr. High Yield CD
Great Rates, Free Gifts, FDIC Ins. Invest More, Earn More. Min $5K.
www.GiftsforBanking.com
- Hybrid Vehicles
Looking For Hybrid Cars? Compare Hybrid Vehicle Models.
www.Electric.HybridCenter.org
- Introduction to How Prisons Work
- Life in a Prison Cell
- Prisoner Commerce and Outside Contact
- Crime and Punishment Inside Prisons
- Controversy: Rehabilitation or Punishment?
- Lots More Information
- See all Crime & Crime Prevention articles
- Capital Punishment
- Pros Capital Punishment
- For Capital Punishment
- The Capital Punishment
- Capital Punishment USA
Ads by Google
- Acid Alkaline Free eBook
In This Free eBook Learn to Stay Healthy, Fight Disease, & More!
www.pHdrinkingwater.com
- Capital Punishment
Let's End it Together. Learn More Today & Help Fight for Freedom!
www.ACLU.org
- Today's Mortgage Rates
Low Rates - Updated Daily Direct Lender, Coast to Coast
www.CenturyPointMortgage.com
Prices: Prison Alternative Books Craig Russell - Alternatives to Prison: Rehabilitation and Other Programs
Release Date: December 30, 2006$23.00 - $28.00 Alternatives To Prison: Options for an Insecure Society
Release Date: November 01, 2004$38.00 - $42.00 Robert G. Thomas - Effective Teaching in Correctional Settings: Prisons, Jails, Juvenile Centers, and Alternative Schools
Release Date: September 01, 2008$36.00 - $49.00
Search HowStuffWorks and the web
- Home|
- Adventure|
- Animals|
- Auto|
- Communication|
- Computer|
- Electronics|
- Entertainment|
- Food|
- Geography|
- Health|
- History|
- Home & Garden|
- Money|
- People|
- Science
- Company Info |
- Advertise With Us |
- Newsletter |
- Careers |
- Privacy |
- Contact Us |
- Help |
- Visitor Agreement |
- RSS |
- HSW Tools
- HowStuffWorks |
- HSW Brazil |
- HSW China
- Video Center |
- Maps |
- Consumer Guide Auto |
- Consumer Guide Products |
- Make HSW your homepage
- Discovery Communications, LLC |
- Discovery Channel |
- TLC |
- Animal Planet |
- Discovery Health |
- Science Channel |
- Planet Green |
- Discovery Kids
- Petfinder |
- TreeHugger |
- Military Channel |
- Investigation Discovery |
- HD Theater |
- FitTV |
- Turbo |
- Discovery Education
- ATTENTION! We recently updated our privacy policy. The changes are effective as of Thursday, October 30, 2008.
- To see the new policy, click [here]. Questions?
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What is the punishment for dog abuse?
The punishment for dog abuse should be PRISON 10 years of prison
What is the punishment for bigamy in Washington state?
The punishment is divorce and paying alimony.
What is the punishment for taking drugs?
Prison time
What was the punishment for murder in Kenya?
Life in prison.
What is the punishment for Lying on a birth certificate?
prison
What is the punishment for film-piracy?
put in prison
Punishment for plagerism?
You can get a prison sentence or have to pay a fine.
How long will you get put in prison for stealing 100?
A hundred dollars will not get you prison, but it will get you into trouble and some sort of punishment.
What is the name of the Study of the theory of punishment and prison management?
penologist
What kind of punishment will someone get for a familly asssult?
jail/prison
What is the punishment for attempted murder in Australia?
up to life in prison.
What punishment do Haiti do?
jail, prison they dont have the death penalty
