Axia College Material

Appendix C
Jails
“The jail is the entry point into corrections, the only correctional facilities most criminals ever see.
Jails hold an eclectic mix of adults (and a few juveniles) at all stages of the criminal justice
process” (Foster, 2006, p. 93).

Directions: Complete each section of this appendix and post as an attachment.

Section 1

In a 75- to 150-word response, describe the purpose and design of jails.

The purpose of jails is to hold adults, and sometimes juveniles awaiting trial or punishment. Jails
come in all types and designs, influenced most by age and intended capacity. Many of the new,
larger urban jails now apply the principles direct supervision. These jails are called third-
generation or new-generation jails. The jailers are locked inside the pods with other inmates.
The jailer mans a console or desk where he or she can observe and talk to inmates directly at all
times. This approach increases security and also promotes interaction between jail guards and
inmates. Many of these jails provide routine services to inmates-visitation, recreation, food
services, and medical care- in the pods, which reduces movement of inmates within the jail. The
pods become mini jails that stand alone within the larger facility.

Section 2

Identify and describe the five functions of jails.

1. Incarcerate those who have committed a crime.

2. Isolate them from the public.

3. To take the danger away from the citizens.
4. To make an attempt to rehabilitate those who have committed crimes.
5. To serve as a method of punishment.

Section 3

Identify five present and future problems with jails.

1. Overcrowding

2. Personnel
3. Modernization
4. Recreation
5. Funding

Section 4

Identify five solutions you feel can resolve these problems.

1. States should provide aid to local governments for jail construction and renovation.

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2. Inspection and enforcement provision should be developed to compel compliance with
standards.
3. States should support cooperative agreements to build regional jails.
4. Local officials should develop long-term financial plans for the future.
5. States should consider salary or hourly increase in pay or have some kind of training that will
keep personnel interested in their jobs.

Section 5

Do you feel jails are effective? Explain in 75 to 150 words

Yes, in a way I think that jails are effective, especially if it’s a first time offender. Normally
someone being in jail for the first time usually gets scared because jail is definitely the last place
that they would rather want to be. It’s sort of a scare tactic to get people to see what it is like
being in jail. If they see this then they know that prison is probably even worse; for the career
criminals jails and prisons don’t faze them because they are used to being locked up, told what to
do, and what they can’t do, then you have those that jails do change. These are the people who
have seen what jail has to offer and want to turn their life around so that they will not have to
come back. Sometimes all it takes for some people to act like productive members of society is a
jail or prison stay.

Reference:
Foster, B. (2006). Corrections: the fundamentals. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall

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