Question

what are some important subjects to know and understand in regards to the history of incarceration?

Answer 1

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Abstract

If we look at the history the concept of the modern prison was imported to Europe in the early 19th-century.

Since the Middle Ages up to the 16th and 17th centuries in Europe, imprisonment was rarely used as a punishment in its own right, and prisons were mainly to hold those awaiting trial and convicts awaiting punishment.

But gradually it started to develop modernization and as we see the amazing changes in today's incarceration / prisonment system.

Today's prisons are correctional facilities used for long-term confinement. People go to prison after they've been convicted of a crime and sent to serve a sentence.

Briefly we we see the important subject / diverse phases of the history of incarceration as stated below :

1) 16th and 17th Century Prisons

Early European prisons which were available in 16th & 17th century were used to hold people before their trials or while they awaited their punishments.

All types of offenders - from children to adults and from debtors to murderers - were held together. The facilities weren't maintained, and the prisoners weren't cared for. Many died from disease.

Later in 17th century correctional facilities focused on rehabilitating offenders and returning the offenders to society.

2) 18th Century Prisons

The 18th century's Age of Enlightenment probably played the largest role in prison reform

By the late 18th century, prisons in the United States were generally based on Bentham's philosophies. The American prisons resembled work houses but strived to offer humane living conditions with an eye toward reforming offenders.

3) 19th Century Prisons

The 19th century marked the expansion of prisons in the United States, Latest development are like this all cells are visible from a central guard station.

The latest changes done during this development. All cells are visible from a central guard station.

This system is also known as the silent system and meant that inmates were kept in separate cells but were allowed to eat and work together, though they had to remain completely silent.

4) 20th Century Prisons

Historical changes made in this phase, Torture and corporal punishment are subsided in this reforms. Inmates began working in the prison factories and the use of the silent system was abandoned.

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