Three characteristics of jails (from 1166 to 1800)
Jail functions prior to 1800, after 1800
Social shift of state institutions 1890 (progressive era)
The current solution to reduce jail populations
Negative impact of immediate jail detention
Five different categories of jail detainees
Eight demographic characteristics of the “typical” jail inmate
Demographic Jail Proportions
Men 85%
Under age thirty-five 65%
Non-white 65%
High school graduate 40%
The alternatives to jail
Jail sub-populations
Adults Juveniles
Men Women
Old Adults Young Adults
Felons Misdemeanants
Pre Trial Convicted/Sentenced
Criminals Social misfits
Social misfits = Hustlers, derelicts, junkies, prostitutes, mentally ill
Local jail sheriff differs from prison warden on rehabilitation
no interest in rehab -- do not receive training for rehab
They are not stake holders inmate’s future -- drugs and alcohol / education / vocation.
Two main issues faced by jail administrators
Inmate overcapacity -- Lack of funds for rehab or treatment
Counties are paid to house inmates, don’t use the money for inmate treatment but to boost voter support.
Jail detainee release prior to trial
Bail, meaning they surrender between $1000 and $25,000 cash deposit, or they pay a fee to a bail bondsman, who puts up the cash.
ROR (Released on Recognizance): Ties to the community give them incentive to show
Pretrial Diversion:
Jail offender - recidivism
Average sentence lengths in jail: misdemeanor crimes, non-violent felonies, sexual assault, and robbery