Explore the evolution of corrections from ancient practices to modern-day approaches, including key historical milestones, influential figures, and significant changes in correctional philosophies.
History of Corrections – Study Notes
| Period / Region | Main Practices | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient Mesopotamia (c. 2100 BC) | Fines, corporal punishment, exile, death | Retribution & restitution to the victim’s family |
| Classical Greece & Rome | Slavery, forced labor, public execution, exile | Deterrence, civic order, and use of prisoners as economic resources |
| Medieval Europe | Public whippings, stocks, pillory, branding, imprisonment in castles or monasteries | Moral correction, public shaming, and containment of “heretics” or political dissenters |
| Islamic Caliphates (7th–13th c.) | Imprisonment for debt, theft, and political crimes; corporal punishment | Combination of retributive justice and moral reform |
Key point: Imprisonment was rare; most penalties were corporal, capital, or aimed at restitution.
| Model | Country | Core Features | Influence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania System | USA (Philadelphia) | Solitary confinement, silent labor, emphasis on reflection (“penitence”) | Inspired the Eastern State Penitentiary; later critiqued for mental health effects |
| Auburn System | USA (New York) | Silent congregate work by day, solitary at night; “silent system” | Became the dominant U.S. model in the 19th c.; spread to Canada & parts of Europe |
| Separate System (UK) | England (e.g., Pentonville) | Strict solitary, religious instruction, limited contact | Basis for many Victorian‑era prisons |
| Reform Idea | Proponents | Implementation |
|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation | Eugenics movement, social scientists (e.g., Cesare Lombroso) | Classification of inmates, “treatment” programs |
| Indeterminate Sentencing | John B. Little (NY) | “Open‑ended” sentences tied to progress reports |
| Probation & Parole | John Augustus (1841) – first probation officer; Alexander Maconochie – parole concepts | Institutionalized in U.S. (probation 1925, parole |