NCJ Number
111059
Date Published
1987
Length
23 pages
Annotation
An examination of the history of American jails indicates that many jail conditions and practices have not changed much since colonial days.
Abstract
The jail system in Colonial America paralleled that of England, with the first American jail established in the Jamestown colony (Virginia), followed by a jail system in Pennsylvania. The Virginia and Pennsylvania jail systems were models for those established later in other States. Rapid changes in the socioeconomic climate in the latter part of the 19th and early part of the 20th century made the legal foundations and management of county jails increasingly difficult to reconcile with principles of justice and efficiency. Most of the historic problems and issues associated with jails remain. Some policies and practices have changed, but overcrowding, lack of resources, underfunding, county politics, antiquated physical plants, inmate idleness, and the absence of sophisticated inmate classification systems still exist. Some State governments have assumed more responsibility for jail standards, a few jails have been threatened with court-ordered closure, and the Federal Government has mandated jail removal for juveniles. 45 notes.