Corrections, Part 1

Question 1: Discuss the reformatory philosophy of Alexander Maconochie.

Answer 1: Alexander Maconochie was the director of the Norfolk Island penal colony from 1840 to 1844. He was a key figure in the 19th century Reformatory Era of prisons. His philosophy of prison reform consisted of five principles:Prison sentences should not be for a length of time, but for a quantity of work to be performed by the prisoner.Prisoners should work for marks by adopting good conduct and positive living principles during their incarceration. This is called the mark system.Prisoners should use their marks, or go into a debt for a number of marks, to purchase everything they need in prison, including food.Prisoners should work in groups where each member is accountable for the group's conduct.After a certain amount of time, prisoners should be given a share of their earnings and be prepared for return to normal society.

There are lots of good resources about Corrections that you can find available.

Question 2: Discuss Sir Walter Crofton's Irish System.

Answer 2: Sir Walter Crofton was a prison administrator in mid-19th century Ireland and a leader in the Reformatory Movement. He introduced what came to be called the Irish System, which involved putting convicts through a progressive sequence of steps:Two years of solitary confinement and work;A mark system similar to that used by Alexander Maconochie at the Norfolk Island penal colony, where prisoners could use their work to acquire privileges and shorten their prison stay;A work-leave program where prisoners worked outside the prison once they had served their period of working within the prison;A ticket-of-leave, which allows the prisoner to be released through a system similar to modern parole.

Question 3: Discuss the reformatory at Elmira, New York.

Answer 3: The reformatory at Elmira, New York, which opened in 1876, incorporated the reformatory philosophies of Alexander Maconochie and Sir Walter Crofton. Under Superintendent Zebulon Brockman, it incorporated a set of principles that came to be known as The Elmira System. These included sanitary facilities for the prisoners, non-degrading uniforms, a good diet, modern exercise and athletic equipment, training in several skills, classes up through high school and even college, a library, a prison newspaper produced by prisoners, entertainment, religious services, and emotional occasions (planned, non-instructional events). Although some of Brockway's principles were never put into practice at the prison, the model created by the Elmira Reformatory proved influential and spread to other prisons.

Previous: Core Knowledge, Part 6 - Next: Corrections, Part 10

Flashcard Secrets provides test preparation products for a variety of examinations - all trademarks are property of their respective trademark owners.

3827 Phelan #179

Beaumont, TX 77707