Jail and Prison: What’s the Difference?

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Comparison of jail and prison inmates
Background of male and female inmates
Federal and state inmates
Private and non-private prisons
References

Introduction

Most people may not differentiate between a jail and a prison. In fact, some people use the two terms interchangeably. When a person is said to be in jail or prison, they are denied the freedom to move freely. Life in prisons is characterized by restrictions that avert the occurrence of crimes. Further, there is a range of rights and freedoms that inmates are deprived. However, there exists a significant difference on the detainees in the two places.

Comparison of jail and prison inmates

Jail inmates are sentenced for a remarkably short duration. This would range from a few weeks to months but, less than 1 year. In most cases, during that time, inmates await trials. Jail inmates have temporary housing and are always transferred to other places after their trials. Jail inmates are entitled to housing, safety and food requirements. In addition to providing basic needs, a jail has fewer amenities than a prison.

Inmates in a prison are already convicted for crimes. Their sentences are usually longer than those of jail inmates. Prison inmates are convicted for doing or taking part in felonies (Ruiz, Strain & Langrod, 2007). Prisons inmates may take a few years to many years in prison. They serve for more than one year depending on the intensity of their crimes. More to the point, jail inmates are not divided according to their crimes.

Prison inmates are under tight security and have access to many amenities. In addition to the provision of basic requirements, prisons provide areas for exercise, socialization and education. Prison inmates have access to trained and qualified staff. Additionally, there are entertainment and community rehabilitation centers. Prisoners are divided according to their crimes and placed in separate areas.

Background of male and female inmates

Males and females have different ways of thinking and handling issues. Female inmates differ with male inmates in a number of ways. This forms their background while serving their sentences.

For instance, men do not hide their stress. They show it through aggressive behavior that would involve physical fights. They externalize all aspects that are associated with stress. Men tend to form gangs that can help them solve problems. There is a likelihood of forming teams amongst men that are based on race or even ethnicity.

Male inmates are associated with violence. They would want to prove themselves. They blame others for their problems and would not be willing to accept help from others (Hales, Yudofsky, Gabbard & American Psychiatric Publishing, 2008). Male inmates are more hostile than female inmates. They are associated with the use of drugs.

On the other hand, women inmates never show their stress. They internalize it and are prone to self-driven activities. For instance, women have been associated with activities such as suicides and medical problems. They can even hurt themselves by inflicting cuts on their bodies.

Female inmates have been found to form surrogate families for companionship. This is not seen in men because they are less likely to socialize than women. Female inmates are also emotional and require emotional needs. Besides, female inmates have time to focus on their lives more than men. This is because they are not subjected to abuse from men.

Female inmates can never engage in physical fights or activities that would show their ego. However, this is common in male inmates. Women are ready to change or reform as a prerequisite of reuniting with their families. Unlike men, female inmates are easy to handle.

Federal and state inmates

Federal and state inmates are common in the United States. When a person violates a federal law they are required to be sent to the federal prisons. They are federal inmates. When a person violates local laws, he or she is considered a state inmate. They are sent to state prisons because the felony committed affects the state. They could also be sent to city jails or prisons.

Private and non-private prisons

Private prisons or jails are meant to generate profits. They are run by organizations that sign contracts with the government. The government contracts a third party to run the prison (Carceral & Bernard, 2006). The government is required to pay a predetermined amount of money for every prisoner held within the private prison.

Life in private prison is better than life in non-private prisons. For example, there are better facilities in private prisons than non-private prisons. There is adequate space, recreational facilities and even good staff members. This is because the contracted firms aim at making profits; they have to assure the government agencies that their facilities are good. However, prisoners in private prisons have higher chances of being abused and exposed to drugs. Private prisons are likely to fail.

Non-private prisons are the common prisons that have been in existence for a long time. They are established and run by government agencies. Their operations and expenditures are overseen by government agencies or departments. Services and facilities are poor in relation to those of private prisons. Precisely, life in private prison is better than life in non-private prisons. Despite having facilities that seem to be poor to inmates, there is an assurance of continuity and minimized abuse compared to private prisons.

References

Carceral, K. C., & Bernard, T. J. (2006). Prison, inc: A convict exposes life inside a private prison. New York: New York Univ. Press.

Hales, R. E., Yudofsky, S. C., Gabbard, G. O., & American Psychiatric Publishing. (2008). The American Psychiatric Publishing textbook of psychiatry. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Pub.

Ruiz, P., Strain, E. C., & Langrod, J. (2007). The substance abuse handbook. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

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