What are the conditions like in American prisons.?

Question

Here in the UK, Brit prisons are considered just a step down from a basic holiday camp. We have the impression that US prisons are a lot tougher. Please enlighten us.

Answer 1

Depends upon whether you are referring to U.S. Federal Prisons or State Prisons. The difference between those 2 are like night and day.

Qualifications for staff is a major factor and thus changes the face of the operation.

State workers who are often called "guards" are exactly that. They may be hired w/as little as a high school diploma, prior misdemeanors and bad credit and is OJT.

Federal Custody are called "Correctional Officers" for that is what they are. The requirements for hire are minimum 2 years supervisory experience, military, and or college degree. They train at F.L.E.T.C. with brother agencies of the U.S. Dept. of Justice such as F.B.I. , U.S. Marshalls, Border Patrol, Military Office of Special Investigations (OSI), etc...
Each employee passes a rigorous background check conducted by FBI.
Staff training is completely different to that of the state's and the pay being much higher.

Inmates living situation depends upon what level security they are assigned. Inmates are treated very well.
For instance, when the bad Hurricane season hit; I knew of many civilian and military families that didn't know where they would evacuate to. While Inmates were safely sent out of harm's way. Not having to worry about transportation, housing, food, health care, etc...
For weeks survivors lived without electricity while the criminals had their electricity for air conditioning, lights, hot meals etc...
Visit a Federal Prison on a tour and you will be shocked at what they have for them there.
At Federal Camps ; you will have your celebrities there. White collar criminals, Professional Athletes, Former politicians, Judges and former law enforcement etc...
They get to roam around freely w/o a fence to keep them in.

So for the tough prisons your impression would most likely be of the State prison. Fed inmates are pampered except for when it comes to doing their "TIME". They must do 100% of it , where as the state only requires 20% for good behavior.

Answer 2

I hardly think having a library, 3 squares a day, a bed to sleep on with a blanket and pillow, a television to watch, and computer priviledges, and shower facilities to bathe, and air conditioning being 3rd world country. Third world countries do not have those things in their prisons for a good reason. I think all prisons should be run like the Maricopa Country tent prison in the desert in Arizona. So what if they separate themselves in gangs in prison, that is how they live on the streets. I am glad they are locked up to not commit crimes on the general public. They choose to live like animals. This is caused from making the wrong choices in life from the time they were in grade school. It is only going to get worse as the prison population is growing faster than the prisons can be built.

Answer 3

everyone is a bit different.
Health Care or lack of it is a big concern. Also Prisons ,do not have enought programs to help the ones get a start when they get out.
Just last week big news was, A prisoner chained to a bed in his cell for 4 days died .
When a outsider goes to visit, most workers in the prisons are very rude & treat you like you are a prisoner. The wait is unreal. Most are dirty & dark. nothing to do but sit & rot, hope you make it out before death comes apon you.

Answer 4

They aren't pretty that's for sure. Inmates have to find a "gang" to join for protection or they will be beaten, raped or possibly killed.

Child molesters are the bottom feeders and are the lowest of the low. American prisons give too much freedom in some aspects - like you can actually get a college degree!

But I certainly would not compare US Prisons to a holiday camp!

Answer 5

i have a son that has been in prison since he was 18 years old...and i know it is not like a basic holiday camp in us prisons...i have not even heard from my son in years...i have wrote , called and tried everything...i know one of two prison guards and i think they just try to make the prisoners up here upset...my son was a good boy and got in with the wrong crowd and never been in trouble before but now he has spent 14 years of his life for being with some boys where this one boy shot two people...

Answer 6

I have never had the displeasure of entering one personally. However, I do not think the state prison system is a country club of sorts. Rather tough as they should be. However the Federal Prison System has been described as a country club of sorts. God bless****

Answer 7

prisons are not bad enough (look at the crime rate). there are too many amenities like weight lifting, cable TV, education. yes i know people will take offense at education but i mean for those with life without the possibility of parole. prison should be such a nightmare that you are so adverse to being sent there that crime is not a possibility for you.

Answer 8

Well tells see..we take the scomes off the streets..put them in prison..feed them excellent meals...give them better medical. Most have it better than any of us do. Yes it's a Holiday camp and they get paid to be there...pluse $100 when they leave.

Answer 9

US prisons are the the meanest, toughest, deadliest places you can be. Especially for convicted child molesters, or anyone that kills a child.

Answer 10

they are shity and hellish.