You have both a jail and a prison on the moon. The number of people that are incarcerated in jail or prison is relatively small because most offenders are placed in some sort of intermediate corrections or community corrections. You have 5 jail deputies for the jail and 5 corrections officers that work in the prison. You also have 10 community based correctional officer – Probation and Parole officers. Your tasks that you must present to the SC are as follows:
- Compare and contrast the roles (function, operation, and duties) of a prison correctional officer and a jail deputy.
- Describe how community based intermediate corrections (parole and probation) serve the needs of the moon’s CRJ system. (Remember, the moon needs as many workers as possible and there is very low unemployment.)
- Discuss the social costs or benefits of incarceration compared to the social costs of the alternatives.
- Describe what rights and privileges you are going to allow to a typical prison inmate as compared to individuals placed on community corrections.
Full Answer Section
Jail Deputies
Jail deputies are responsible for the care, custody, and control of pre-trial detainees and sentenced offenders who are serving short-term sentences. They work in county jails. Their duties include:
- Booking and processing new inmates
- Conducting bail hearings
- Monitoring inmate behavior and ensuring compliance with jail rules
- Enforcing discipline and responding to inmate disturbances
- Preparing reports on inmate behavior and activities
How Community Based Intermediate Corrections Serve the Needs of the Moon’s CRJ System
Community-based intermediate corrections (CBIC) programs, such as parole and probation, provide an alternative to incarceration for offenders who are considered to be low-risk. These programs allow offenders to remain in the community while being supervised by a CBIC officer. The goals of CBIC programs are to:
- Reduce recidivism
- Increase public safety
- Save money
CBIC programs can be effective in reducing recidivism. A study by the U.S. Department of Justice found that offenders who participated in a CBIC program were 30% less likely to be re-incarcerated than offenders who did not participate in a CBIC program.
CBIC programs can also increase public safety by reducing the number of offenders who are incarcerated. This can free up resources to be used for other purposes, such as crime prevention and victim services.
CBIC programs can also save money. A study by the Pew Charitable Trusts found that the average cost of incarcerating an offender in state prison is $31,000 per year. The average cost of supervising an offender on parole or probation is $4,000 per year.
Social Costs and Benefits of Incarceration
There are both social costs and benefits to incarceration. The social costs of incarceration include:
- The cost of building and operating prisons
- The cost of providing food, clothing, and medical care to inmates
- The loss of tax revenue from incarcerated individuals
- The stigma associated with incarceration
The social benefits of incarceration include:
- Protecting the public from dangerous offenders
- Deterring crime
- Providing rehabilitation opportunities for offenders
Rights and Privileges of Prison Inmates and Community Corrections Clients
Prison inmates have certain rights and privileges that are guaranteed by law. These rights include:
- The right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment
- The right to access legal counsel
- The right to practice their religion
- The right to send and receive mail
- The right to visit with family and friends
Community corrections clients also have certain rights and privileges. These rights include:
- The right to live in the community
- The right to work
- The right to attend school
- The right to visit with family and friends
- The right to practice their religion
However, community corrections clients may also have certain restrictions placed on them. These restrictions may include:
- The requirement to report to a CBIC officer on a regular basis
- The requirement to abstain from alcohol and drugs
- The requirement to participate in rehabilitation programs
The specific rights and privileges of prison inmates and community corrections clients will vary depending on the jurisdiction.
Sample Answer
Comparison of Prison Correctional Officers and Jail Deputies
Prison Correctional Officers
Prison correctional officers are responsible for the care, custody, and control of convicted offenders who are sentenced to long-term incarceration. They work in maximum-, medium-, and minimum-security prisons. Their duties include:
- Monitoring inmate behavior and ensuring compliance with prison rules
- Conducting searches of inmates and their cells
- Enforcing discipline and responding to inmate disturbances
- Assisting with inmate transportation and medical care
- Preparing reports on inmate behavior and activities