the most violent facility throughout the nation. (From Alcatraz to Marion, control unit prisons, 5) As the idea of detainment of prisoners for "security purposes" has swept the country the number of assaults on prison staff has risen from 175 in 1991 to 906 in 1993. (Federal Bureau of Prisons, 2) Looking at my theory of human behavior in prisons, I find support for my opinion from a different point of view. In the early 1900's a jail/prison in Montpelier, Vermont had designed a program that had practically let inmates come and go as they please. They were not forced to wear a uniform. They are not supervised out in the town. They are free to spend the day doing as they please. The plan originated in the idea that jailers could leave for the day to do work. When the idea was proposed the townspeople were scared that murderers and thieves were free out on the streets like everybody else. In the beginning a couple of inmates (out of 800) tried to escape and were punished with a longer sentence. However, the rest understood the rules of the game and were grateful to be treated like a human again, they returned to jail everyday at their declared time and served their sentence. All the while morals were being taught to the prisoners and they cooperated with the system like professionals. (Swift, 1-14) Eric CavallariJ. FoleyPsychology10110/10/00The Downward Spiral; Psychological Effects of Prisons"I have visited some of the best and the worst prisons and have never seen signs of coddling, but I have seen the terrible results of the boredom and frustration of empty hours and pointless existence"-former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger"If recent incarceration rates remain unchanged, an estimated 1 out of every 20 persons (5.1%) will serve time in a prison during their lifetime.-U.S. Department of Justice One of the largest problems with the prison issue in America today is that it gets little attention. Unlike education, poll...
