Prisons are facilities where individuals who have been convicted of crimes are confined as punishment and to keep them separate from the general public. There are several different types of prisons, which vary based on factors like security level, who operates them, and their purpose. Prisons can be run by the state, federal government, or private companies. The types of prisons include:
Minimum Security Prisons
Minimum security prisons, also known as “low security” prisons, have the lowest level of supervision and control over inmates. These prisons are for inmates considered to be of minimal risk, including those convicted of non-violent crimes like fraud, DUIs, minor drug offenses, and white collar crimes. Minimum security prisons often resemble boot camps and have dormitory housing instead of cells. They have relatively relaxed rules, minimal physical barriers, and lower staff to inmate ratios. Many allow inmates to leave during the day for work programs. Examples of minimum security prisons are FCI Safford, FCI Sandstone, and the Taft Correctional Institution.
Low Security Prisons
Low security prisons, sometimes called “medium security” prisons, have an intermediate level of supervision and control. They house inmates considered a low to moderate security risk, including non-violent offenders and those with shorter sentences. Their perimeters are secured with things like fences, walls, and electronic detection systems. Compared to higher level prisons, they have more freedom of movement within the facilities and inmate-to-staff ratios. Unlocked dorms are common. Vocational programs and work assignments are widely available. Examples include FCI Ashland, FCI Beckley, and FCI Greenville.
Medium Security Prisons
Medium security prisons have a moderate to high level of supervision and control over inmates. They house violent and non-violent offenders with medium to long term sentences. Their perimeters have double fencing, electronic detection systems, and armed patrols. Cellblocks in medium security prisons usually have locked doors and inmates are escorted under supervision. Medium security prisons provide access to educational and vocational programs and work opportunities, but not to the same degree as lower security facilities. Examples are FCI Loretto, FCI Allenwood, and FCI Petersburg.
High Security Prisons
High security prisons, also known as “maximum security” prisons, have the highest level of supervision and control over inmates. They house dangerous inmates with histories of violence, escapes or attempted escapes, or those likely to try to instigate unrest. They have highly controlled and secured perimeters with features like walls, guard towers, razorwire fencing, and electronic detection systems. Cellblocks have secure locked doors controlled from a remote location. Inmate-to-staff ratios are low. Privileges and programming are extremely limited. FCI Terre Haute, USP Atwater, and ADX Florence are examples of high security prisons.
Supermax Prisons
Supermax prisons have the highest levels of custody and security within the prison system. They house the most dangerous, violent, and high-risk inmates in almost complete isolation and extremely limited freedom. Supermax inmates spend 22-23 hours per day confined in solitary cells with minimal human contact. Their movements outside their cell are highly restricted and controlled. Meals are delivered through small openings in their cell doors. Examples of supermax prisons are Colorado State Penitentiary, ADX Florence, and Pelican Bay State Prison.
Federal vs. State Prisons
Prisons in the United States are divided between federal and state criminal justice systems. The main differences between federal and state prisons include:
Federal Prisons
- Run by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
- House inmates convicted under federal law
- Higher proportion of drug offenders, weapons violations, financial crimes, and immigration violations
- Inmates typically serve longer sentences and have been convicted of more serious crimes
- Geographically spread throughout the country based on security level and medical/programming needs
State Prisons
- Operated by each state’s department of corrections
- Hold inmates convicted under state law
- Majority violent offenders like murder, rape, assault, and robbery
- Shorter average sentences
- Located within the state
The big differences come down to the type of crimes, sentence lengths, locations, and sizes. The BOP oversees 122 federal prisons, compared to over 1,700 state prisons nationwide.
Public vs. Private Prisons
Prisons can also be classified based on who owns and operates them:
Public Prisons
- Owned and operated by government agencies
- Most common prison model in the U.S.
- Run by federal or state departments of corrections
- House both sentenced offenders and pretrial detainees
- Funded by government budgets and tax dollars
Private Prisons
- Owned and operated by for-profit companies contracted by government agencies
- About 8% of U.S. prisoners are in private prisons
- Most common operators are CoreCivic and GEO Group
- Hired by states and the federal government to manage facilities and inmates
- Funded by government contracts based on cost per inmate per day
Private prisons are controversial, with debates around cost-effectiveness versus quality of conditions, programming, healthcare, and if profit motives complicate justice. But proponents argue private prisons cut costs and overcrowding issues in state facilities.
Men’s vs. Women’s Prisons
Most prison inmates are adult males, but the population also includes youths under 18 and adult women. Women’s prisons differ from men’s in a few key ways:
Women’s Prisons
- Only 7% of U.S. inmates are women
- Less violent inmate population
- Smaller facilities
- Focus more on vocational programs and counseling
- Have nurseries for pregnant inmates and mother/child programs
- Offer classes on parenting and other female gender-specific needs
Men’s Prisons
- Make up over 90% of prison inmates in the U.S.
- Larger populations and facilities
- More security and harsher environments
- Emphasize work programs over counseling and therapy
- Fewer family-oriented programs
- More rival gang activity
Women’s prisons accommodate some different needs, but research shows female inmates face disadvantages like less access to programs and further distance from families.
Juvenile Detention vs. Adult Facilities
There are also differences between prisons for juveniles under 18 and adult facilities:
Juvenile Detention Centers
- Focus is rehabilitation over punishment
- Inmates have access to education and counseling
- No death penalty or life sentences
- Separate facilities from adult prisoners
- Operated by states’ juvenile justice departments
Adult Prisons
- Focus more on punishment than rehabilitation
- Fewer programs and education opportunities
- Possibility of life sentences or death penalty
- Youthful inmates kept separate from general population
- Run by states’ adult correctional departments
The juvenile justice system aims to provide young offenders treatment to rehabilitate them and counteract risk factors. Adult prisons prioritize punishment, deterrence, and protecting public safety.
Jails vs. Prisons
Though they both house detained individuals, jails and prisons serve different purposes:
Jails
- Operated by local law enforcement and sheriff’s departments
- Hold inmates awaiting trial who can’t make bail, pretrial detainees, those sentenced to short terms (usually under 1 year), and people violating probation terms
- Have high turnover due to short stays
- Offer fewer programs due to transient populations
- Inmates have access to legal counsel
Prisons
- Run by states, the federal government, or private companies
- Hold convicted felons and inmates with sentences over 1 year
- Have lower turnover and more stable populations
- Offer more extensive rehabilitation and vocational programs
- Interaction with legal counsel is limited
The main differences come down to purpose, length of stay, management, and available programming. Jails house largely pretrial detainees, while prisons hold only convicted criminals.
Military Prisons
Special kinds of prisons exist for military personnel convicted of crimes under the Uniform Code of Military Justice:
- Operated by the U.S. military branches
- Hold service members guilty of offenses while on active duty
- Confine inmates separately by military branch
- Use structured and disciplined environments focused on order
- Aim to return prisoners to active duty after sentences completed
- Examples are the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth and the Naval Consolidated Brig
These prisons stress order, discipline, rehabilitation, and retaining trained personnel over punishment. Most inmates eventually return to active duty.
Prison Security Level Classifications
Prisons are also classified by the security risk levels of the inmates they hold:
Security Level | Profile |
---|---|
Minimum | Non-violent, minor offenses, minimal risk |
Low | Mostly non-violent, low to moderate risk |
Medium | Mixed offenses and risk levels |
High | Serious, violent crimes. High risk. |
Supermax | Extremely dangerous, high risk inmates |
Higher security prisons have more barriers, stricter movement control, lower staff ratios, and harsher penalties for infractions. Classification helps designate inmates to appropriate facilities.
Types by Inmate Gender
Men’s Prisons | Women’s Prisons |
---|---|
– Hold over 90% of inmates | – Only hold about 7% inmates |
– Larger populations and facilities | – Smaller facilities |
– More violent environments | – Less violent populations |
– Emphasize work over counseling | – Focus on vocational and gender-specific programs |
– Gang activity more common | – Offer special services like nurseries |
Types by Time Served
Jails | Prisons |
---|---|
– Hold pretrial detainees and inmates serving short sentences (under 1 year) | – Hold convicted felons and long-term sentences (over 1 year) |
– Experience high turnover | – More stable populations |
– Offer fewer inmate programs | – Offer more extensive inmate programs |
– Managed by local law enforcement | – Operated by state or federal corrections departments |
Public vs. Private Ownership Models
Public Prisons | Private Prisons |
---|---|
– Owned and operated by government agencies | – Owned and operated by for-profit companies |
– Funded by government budgets/taxes | – Funded by government contracts |
– Most common model in the U.S. | – About 8% of U.S. prisoners |
– Seen as having public oversight | – Seen by critics as having profit incentives |
Juvenile vs. Adult Facilities
Juvenile Detention Centers | Adult Prisons |
---|---|
– Focus on rehabilitation over punishment | – Focus more on punishment |
– Provide education and counseling | – Offer fewer rehabilitation programs |
– No life or death sentences | – Possibility of life sentences or death penalty |
– House youth separately from adults | – Isolate youthful inmates from general population |
Conclusion
There are many ways to categorize the different types of prisons in the U.S. Key distinguishing factors include security levels, who operates them, gender classifications, purposes like pretrial versus sentenced offenders, and juvenile versus adult offenders. Different types prioritize goals like punishment, deterrence, rehabilitation, and retribution to varying extents. Prisons also differ in environment, available programming, oversight, and populations held. Understanding this variety provides critical context around the justice system and inmate experiences within it.