Discussion Questions

  1. What are similarities and differences between jails in the past and modern jails?
  2. How is jail a form of punishment in and of itself?
  3. What are challenges that both rural jails and metropolitan jails face?
  4. How do populations in rural jails and metropolitan jails compare?
  5. Why are jails increasingly being used as long-term facilities?
  6. What are the ongoing debates around jails being used as long-term facilities?
  7. Why is health care in jails particularly important?
  8. What are challenges in jails’ health-care systems?
  9. Why is it important for jail staff to be diverse?
  10. What are benefits of and potential challenges with special types of jail sentences?
  11. Discuss the range of special issues that jail staff must address?
  12. How can jails and the larger criminal justice system address substance abuse, mental health issues, and homelessness among the inmate population?