NCJ Number
56780
Journal
Trooper Volume: 4 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1979) Pages: 106-111
Date Published
1979
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE JAILS USED IN COLONIAL AMERICA, AS EXTENSIONS OF THE CRIMINAL DETENTION FACILITIES OF ENGLAND, ARE DESCRIBED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI.
Abstract
THE FIRST COLONISTS OF AMERICA USED THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE METHODS BROUGHT WITH THEM FROM ENGLAND. AS IN ENGLAND, JAILS IN THE COLONIES WERE USED AS DETENTION FACILITIES FOR PERSONS AWAITING TRIAL OR PUNISHMENT. INCARCERATION WAS NOT NORMALLY USED AS PUNISHMENT, RATHER THE SENTENCING AFTER DETENTION USUALLY RESULTED IN DEATH, WHIPPING, OR MUTILATION. FOLLOWING THE ENGLISH TRADITION, JAIL KEEPERS IN THE COLONIES WERE NOT PAID A SALARY, BUT MADE A PROFIT FROM THE SALE OF FOOD AND GOODS TO THE PRISON INMATES. INDIGENT PRISONERS WERE ALLOWED TO BEG, OR SUBSIST ON FOOD SUPPLIED FROM THE LOCALITY. LIMITED WORK MIGHT ALSO BE AVAILABLE, AND PRISON LIFE WAS USUALLY CHARACTERIZED BY DEMORALIZING IDLENESS. IN COLONIAL VIRGINIA THE JAIL SYSTEM WAS ESTABLISHED CONCURRENTLY WITH THE FOUNDING OF THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS. THE FEES CHARGED BY THE JAILERS BECAME FIXED, AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR JAILS WERE STANDARDIZED. IMPRISONMENT AS PUNISHMENT WAS STILL RARE DURING THE 17TH CENTURY, EXCEPT FOR CRIMES OF DEBT, OR POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS OFFENSES. PENNSYLVANIA MAINTAINED COUNTY JAILS, BUT ALSO DEVELOPED WORKHOUSES FOR LIMITED PURPOSES. AS IN ENGLAND, THE SHERIFF WAS IN CONTROL OF THE COUNTY JAILS, WITH MOST DUTIES THEN DELEGATED TO KEEPERS. THE WEALTHY WERE USUALLY ABLE TO AVOID CONFINEMENT BY BRIBING THE SHERIFF TO ALLOW THEM TO STAY IN PRIVATE HOUSES. (TWK)