NCJ Number
2254
Date Published
Unknown
Length
34 pages
Annotation
BRIEF HISTORICAL ESSAY ON THE ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF JAILS IN AMERICA WITH A SECOND SECTION ON JAIL CONDITIONS OF THE PRESENT.
Abstract
COLONISTS, UPON THEIR ARRIVAL IN AMERICA, SIMPLY ESTABLISHED JAILS AS KNOWN IN ENGLAND. A PATTERN EMERGED WITH MANY OF THE CORRUPTING INFLUENCES FROM THE ENGLISH PRACTICE STILL INTACT. JAILS CONTINUE TO SERVE BOTH AS HOUSES OF DETENTION AND PLACES OF CONFINEMENT. THE SHERIFF, IS GENERALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT. THE STAFF IS MAINLY CUSTODIAL PERSONNEL WHOSE EDUCATIONAL LEVEL IS SCARCELY SUPERIOR TO THAT OF THE INMATES. SALARIES ARE LOW, THE TURNOVER IS GREAT, AND TRAINING IS FOR THE MOST PART NON-EXISTENT. STILL, THE JAIL INMATE POPULATION CONTINUES TO GROW. LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ARE UNABLE TO ADMINSTER LOCAL JAILS. HOWEVER, THE SHORTCOMINGS, OF JAILS IN AMERICA CANNOT BE EVALUATED SEPARATE AND APART FROM THE WHOLE SYSTEM OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE.