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2.3: Chapter Summary

  • Page ID
    69152
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    The development of American corrections has progressed through several major stages shaped by changing social values and approaches to punishment. Early systems relied on harsh corporal and capital punishment, but the late 18th and early 19th centuries introduced the penitentiary era, emphasizing isolation and reflection through systems like Pennsylvania and Auburn. This evolved into the reformatory era after the Civil War, which focused on rehabilitation, education, and indeterminate sentencing. In the 20th century, the medical model further emphasized treatment and individualized care, though it later declined due to concerns about effectiveness and fairness. By the 1980s, a “tough on crime” approach prioritized punishment, deterrence, and incapacitation, leading to mass incarceration. Today, corrections are shifting again toward evidence-based practices, restorative justice, and alternatives to incarceration, reflecting a more balanced approach between punishment and rehabilitation.

    KEY TERMS

    Penitentiary Era

    Pennsylvania System

    Auburn System

    Reformatory Movement

    Indeterminate Sentencing

    Medical Model

    Community Corrections

    Mass Incarceration

    REVIEW QUESTIONS

    1. Compare and contrast the Pennsylvania and Auburn systems, focusing on their philosophies, methods of inmate management, and overall effectiveness.
    2. Explain the goals and key features of the Reformatory Movement, including the role of indeterminate sentencing and rehabilitation programs.
    3. Discuss the rise and fall of the medical model in corrections, including its intended benefits and the reasons for its decline.
    4. Analyze the shift to the “tough on crime” era in the 1980s, including its causes and its impact on incarceration rates and the correctional system.
    5. Evaluate modern correctional approaches, such as evidence-based practices and restorative justice, and explain how they differ from earlier correctional philosophies.

    This page titled 2.3: Chapter Summary was last modified on Wed, 23 Sep 2026 06:56:10 GMT and is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by George Cartwright.

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