Title: Section 6.2: Prisons | Criminal Justice
Headings: Section 6.2: Prisons
Section 6.2: Prisons
Development of Modern Prisons
Prison Classifications
Special Populations
Prison Overcrowding
Prison Programs
Key Terms

Content: Section 6.2: Prisons | Criminal Justice
Section 6.2: Prisons
As inmates enter a prison system after sentencing, they are typically assessed at a classification or reception facility based on the nature of their crime, criminal history, escape risk, health needs, and any behavioral issues that must be addressed. The goal of these assessments is to determine the dangerousness of the offender and the viability of various treatment options. Based on the assessment results, prison personnel will assign the offender to a particular prison facility. The primary concern when assigning an inmate to a facility is safety, followed by practical concerns about bed space. The needs of the inmate are also considered in the process. Prisoners thus have almost no control of where they are confined. Some prisons do allow for transfers to facilities closer to family, but these requests are subject to security concerns and bed space. Often, female inmates are housed far from family because the small number of female facilities often means that there are no options close to family.