Introduction to Corrections
Video and Multimedia
Click on the following links. Please note these will open in a new window.
Jails in the Past
Video Link: http://www.pbs.org/program/secrets-tower-london/
This PBS video about the Tower of London and its various purposes, including as an infamous prison.
- The Tower of London was large and central in the city. What does this reveal about jails and punishment during its use?
Metropolitan Jail Systems
Web Link: http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/06/americas-largest-mental-hospital-is-a-jail/395012/
This Atlantic article discusses how Cook County Jail is aiming to treat mentally ill inmates.
- What factors contribute to the large number of mentally ill inmates in jail?
- How is Cook County Jail addressing mental health issues?
- What actions can be taken to address mental health and corrections?
Jail as Short-Term Institutions
Audio Link: http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=353312777&m=353312778
NPR story about Kalief Browder's 3-year stay in jail while awaiting trial.
- What does Kalief Browder’s story reveal about complications with jail as short-term institutions?
- How can pretrial holdings jeopardize the notion of “innocent until proven guilty”?
Jails and Immigration Detention
Web Link: www.nytimes.com/2015/10/24/opinion/wrongly-profiled-and-deported.html
This New York Times Op-Ed piece discusses civil rights concerns around partnerships between local law enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
- Why do the authors express concern about the relationship between local law enforcement agencies and ICE?
- How do instances such as those Mr. Fugon-Cano and Mr. Barahona-Sanchez experienced affect relationships between communities and law enforcement?
- How can local law enforcement agencies create policies and practices to ensure civil rights are upheld?
Health Care in Jails
Web Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/09/30/444451967/even-in-prison-health-care-often-comes-with-a-copay
This NPR article documents how health care copays can financially harm inmates.
- What are the implications of health care copays in prison?
- What does this article reveal about jail populations?
- What does this article reveal about correctional systems’ expenses and revenues?
Specialized Types of Jail Sentences
Video Link: http://video.pbs.org/video/2365265049/
This PBS Newshour video discusses the fiscal implications for how people end up in jail for minor offenses.
- How do people end up in jail for minor offenses?