Prisons are differentiated with regard to the extent of security, including supermax, maximum, medium, and minimum levels. Prisoners experience different degrees of freedom depending on the prison they are placed in. The security level of a prison also determines whether inmates are isolated or interact amongst themselves and with visitors. Convicts are sent to different types of prisons based on the crime they committed, criminal history, threat level, and past escape attempts.
The four prisons vary in terms of the freedom allowed to inmates. For instance, in a supermax prison, inmates are kept completely secluded from the general population. It is the highest security level intended for prisoners who pose a threat to the society. The prison setting necessitates a high staff-to-inmates ratio since the latter are isolated and monitored fulltime (“Federal Prison Time”, n.d.). A maximum-security prison provides less security than a supermax facility. Such places are designed for utmost surveillance and control of general population inmates. The next prison in the hierarchy is a medium-security prison. It allows general population prisoners to interact with each other under close supervision by the authorities. Finally, minimum-security facilities provide the highest degree of freedom and autonomy for prisoners in comparison to the other prisons. This type of prison typically accommodates non-violent prisoners who do not pose any threat to themselves, others, or the society.
Robert should be placed in a maximum-security prison because of his criminal record and escape history. He is a repeat offender convicted for grand theft auto the first time and manufacturing meth subsequently. Due to this, he cannot be placed in a minimum-security prison (Federal Prison Time, n.d). Next, Robert had attempted to escape from his previous prison. Since he could try to escape again, he should be placed in a well-guarded facility. A maximum-security prison is suitable in Robert’s case because it provides the highest level of security for general population prisoners. It is designed for prisoners who are considered high-risk, are difficult to handle, and possibly pose a threat to others. Robert fits this description because his crimes were of a non-violent nature, but he had a record of an attempted escape.
Joe should be placed in a medium-security prison because of his psychological condition and the nature of his crime. Although he is a first-time offender, Joe committed assault and cannot be put in a minimum-security prison since this is a violent crime. He also has a schizophrenia, which gives him a warped sense of reality. Higher security prisons, such as supermax and maximum facilities, would not allow him the freedom to treat his mental condition. Such prisons do not offer different treatment to inmates depending on their personal needs (“Federal Prison Time”, n.d). At a medium-security prison, Joe would get the psychological or psychiatric help he requires while being monitored by prison officers. It is also the most reasonable prison in this case because Joe displays paranoia, refuses to take medicine, and might be violent. A medium-security prison would enable the officers to guard him so he will not inflict pain upon himself or others.
Prisons can be differentiated by the level of security enforced in each facility. People are placed in them according to the type of crime they committed and their risk level. Convicts who committed a violent crime, repeat offenders, and prisoners who are a high flight-risk are likely to be put in high-security prisons, such as supermax and maximum-security facilities. In contrast, first-time offenders of a non-violent crime and individuals with a mental condition are typically placed in medium or minimum-security prisons.
Reference
Federal Prison Time (n.d.). Federal prison security levels. 2021. Web.