My husband and I were watching a show about prisons and how they came to be and I was just wondering what type off crime determines what type of prison they go to.
2006-11-11 06:48:09 · 11 answers · asked by ♥ Tori ♥ 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Good god. I have never seen so many "probably," "maybe," or "most likely" answers in one place in awhile.
My husband has been in federal prison for 26 years so please allow me to shed some authenticity on the subject. The convictions on specific crimes do determine where they start out, such as a U.S. Penitentiary, like Leavenworth.
But over time, some can wind up at a Medium or a Minimum. IF they live long enough, they can be released to a camp before going home. Camp is still a controlled environment.
You were not give accurate descriptions at all of the various levels, including the Wikipedia response.
My husband was convicted on less than four ounces of cocaine, and got 41 years, thanks to RICO back in the 80's. Due to his age and health, he is currently at a Minimum. He has been in prisons in Kansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Kentucky and Florida. Go figure. He is currently 700 miles away from any family, one way. He is 65 years old, with health problems, and has been thoroughly screwed over by the parole board (long story). We have been trying to get THAT straightened out for four years now.
Minimums are not Cupcake Facilities. Minimums are enclosed by razor wire, they are patrolled internally and externally, and the guys are told when to get up, when to eat, when they can go outside, when they have to come inside, when they have to go to bed. Visitors have to be on a list, and go through metal detectors, and at least three interior doors to get to the visiting room.
There is one doctor for the 2000 men at his facility. I knew a young man that got gangraped and died from his injuries there, and an elderly diabetic who died in his wheelchair outside the med unit waiting for help. Miniums are no picnic.
Unlike TV shows (I Hate Prison Break!), the guys do not discuss their crimes. Child molesters keep their mouths shut, and gangsta wannabees brag to enhance their reputation. You can't believe anything the inmates tell you, period, so no one really knows what anyone is in there for, unless it makes the news.
If you check out my husband's web site, you will see that he was not a white-collar criminal, as someone else stated. There are white-collar criminals there, like income tax evasion or embezzling, but I would guestimate that 90% of the inmates in federal prison are there on drug-related charges (thanks to our politicians and their "get tough on crime" mandatory minimums - 5 years for one joint).
There are a lot of men and women who have no business in prison, but the power to decide cases on individual points has been taken away from judges, by the politicians and their laws. Those laws always impress voters, until someone in their family gets in trouble. Then they find out that once those doors slam, that's it. The kid who died after being gang-raped was only in there for a three-year drug sentence, not a death sentence. I met his parents and they will never get over it.
There are Cupcake prisons, for Martha and the politicians, but regular folks will never see one of those.
For the most part, the documentaries you see on PBS are more accurate about current prison life, in any of the prisons. Prison is hell on earth, with camp being Purgatory. They are not intended to rehab, but are warehouses, to keep the "bad" people away from the "good" people.
Hope this gives you more accurate info.
2006-11-11 08:18:41 · answer #1 · answered by His Old Lady 3 · 101⤊ 19⤋
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2016-06-02 15:31:27 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's not the crime it's the person a maximum security is for those guys that can't stop fighting ppl in jail/prison. and they are on lockdown for a good part of the day... a minimum security prison is for the people who are there and just going to do there time and get out. not looking to do any more time or get into any more fights....
2006-11-11 06:51:35 · answer #3 · answered by lilflashinchick15 2 · 1⤊ 12⤋
it's not so much the crime. see if they were in for something such as first degree murder then probably a maximum security prison which means more cops,and nowhere outside during the day, If they did something minor then a minimum security prison. If you get sent to jail-most likely on a death sentence-you may never see daylight ever again in a max. security.
hope this helps :)
2006-11-11 06:51:58 · answer #4 · answered by KatastropheGirl™ 3 · 3⤊ 10⤋
Maximum security is for violent offenders and movement and priviledges are almost non-existent. Minimum is for non-violent crimes and usually prisoners have fairly open movement. The corrections department has control over the movement of a prisoner once they are in the system. For instance, a prisoner who gets involved in a drug ring or hurts a guard or another prisoner may be sent to maximum (from medium or minimum) for a period of time. Someone who is about to be released is likely to be placed in minimum just prior to his release. Of course, other than federal prisons, the corrections departments in each state vary as to their practices.
2006-11-11 07:37:51 · answer #5 · answered by Dust in the Wind 7 · 8⤊ 3⤋
Well, they put criminals who they feel pose more of a threat, in a maximum security prison. But as far as the crime itself, I guess they put rapists, murderers, attempted murderers, and 3rd time offenders in maximum security. People who are in for a repeated DUI, breaking and entering, and crimes not as bad as the above, in minimum security. They also try to put some of the phedophiles & rapists together....for some reason. ? ?
2006-11-11 06:55:29 · answer #6 · answered by Republican!!! 5 · 4⤊ 6⤋
my son,convicted of petty offence, was in minimum security prison. Someone with an axe to grind sent him to a maximum sec. prison, a cell with a roomate. If he wants a shower, they put leg & arm irons on!! The same if he wants to go outside. I have no money for a lawyer. I am sick with grief. Who can help?
2016-05-30 13:02:18 · answer #7 · answered by alfsj@yahoo.com 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends on the degree of which the crime they committed. ex. a multiple offense rapist would probably go to a maximum security prison along with murders and drug dealers/users. Regular prisons that you may know of are for less offensive things like: stealing, assaults, and embesslement etc.
2006-11-11 06:54:35 · answer #8 · answered by Bebe C 1 · 9⤊ 6⤋
If you have murdered like tons of people you would be max security or if you have even tried to escape several times. Petty theft bad checks stuff like that min sec
2006-11-11 06:51:12 · answer #9 · answered by jacket2230 4 · 3⤊ 17⤋
The worst criminals ie murderer's, rapist, child rapists, are in max. The other's are in the min. security. It depends on their crimes. ~~~
2006-11-11 06:51:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 13⤋