Everything Everywhere Daily: Episode Summary
Title: Prisons and Jails
Release Date: November 25, 2024
Host: Gary Arndt | Glassbox Media

Introduction

In the episode titled "Prisons and Jails," host Gary Arndt delves into the evolution of incarceration as a primary form of punishment—a concept that is surprisingly modern in the grand scope of human history. The discussion examines how societies have historically handled crime and how the contemporary prison system emerged from these practices.

The Historical Context of Punishments

Gary begins by challenging the common perception that imprisonment has ancient roots. He explains that, historically, incarceration was nearly nonexistent as a formalized punishment system. Instead, societies relied on immediate and physical forms of punishment to maintain order.

"The concept of incarceration as a formalized punishment system is relatively recent in modern history," [00:44].

In pre-modern communities, which were often tight-knit and agrarian, punishing crime through imprisonment would have been economically and socially impractical. Resources and labor were crucial for survival, making the maintenance of prisons unfeasible. Instead, punishments typically involved fines, corporal punishment, banishment, slavery, or even death. These methods aimed more at establishing societal order rather than seeking justice or rehabilitation.

Differentiating Jails and Prisons

A critical part of the discussion focuses on distinguishing between jails and prisons, emphasizing their differing purposes and durations of incarceration.

"Jails are short-term facilities to hold individuals awaiting trial, sentencing or serving sentences of less than a year, often for misdemeanors. Prisons, on the other hand, are long-term facilities to house individuals convicted of serious crimes, serving sentences usually longer than a year," [03:15].

Historically, while jails existed in various forms across ancient civilizations—such as the carceres in Rome or temples in China—prisons as long-term punishment facilities were rare until the modern era.

The Evolution of Modern Prisons

The transformation from traditional forms of punishment to the modern prison system began in 16th century England with the establishment of workhouses. These institutions initially aimed to address idle poverty by exchanging shelter and necessities for labor, reflecting early notions of rehabilitation.

Influential Enlightenment thinkers like Thomas More, Cesare Beccaria, and Jeremy Bentham played pivotal roles in this transformation. More, in his seminal work Utopia, proposed that criminals should be put to work rather than executed. Bentham introduced the concept of the Panopticon—a theoretical prison design that allows a single watchman to observe all inmates without them knowing if they are being watched, thereby promoting self-regulation among prisoners.

Gary notes, "The Penitentiary Act of 1779 aimed to provide incarceration as a punishment instead of death or being sent to the colonies. The act mandated the construction of secure sanitary prisons where inmates would be housed in solitary cells, provided with regular work and subject to strict discipline" [07:50].

Despite these progressive ideas, the actual implementation was initially limited. However, in the United States, the Walnut Street Penitentiary in Philadelphia, built in 1790, marked the beginning of a structured incarceration system. This period saw the emergence of two distinct models:

1. The Pennsylvania System: Emphasized solitary confinement, where prisoners lived alone in large cells, promoting reflection and rehabilitation through isolation.
2. The Auburn System: Allowed inmates to work together in silence during the day, fostering a more communal environment while maintaining strict order.

"The Pennsylvania system became popular in Europe, where it influenced many prisons in countries like Germany and France. However, it declined in use due to high costs and concerns about the negative psychological effect of prolonged isolation," [14:30].

Ultimately, the Auburn System prevailed due to its economic advantages and efficiency in utilizing inmate labor, laying the foundation for most modern prison infrastructures.

The Rise of Supermax Prisons

The discussion transitions to the late 20th century, highlighting the emergence of supermaximum security prisons (supermax) as a response to heightened prison violence and the rise of powerful inmate gangs. Gary recounts the 1983 riot at the Marion Penitentiary in Illinois, where the Aryan Brotherhood gang killed two guards, illustrating the limitations of traditional prison systems in managing extreme cases.

"Supermax prisons were developed to manage inmates who exhibit extreme violence, are leaders of prison gangs or criminal organizations, have escaped or attempted to escape from high security facilities and pose significant risks to staff or other inmates or the public," [22:10].

Supermax facilities, such as ADX Florence in Colorado, are designed for maximum security and control, featuring:

• Strict Confinement: Inmates are confined to their cells for 22 to 24 hours a day.
• Minimal Interaction: Limited to almost zero interaction with other inmates.
• No Rehabilitation Focus: These institutions prioritize containment over rehabilitation, often hosting high-profile and dangerous criminals.

Gary emphasizes the severity and effectiveness of supermax prisons by noting that no one has successfully escaped from ADX Florence, further solidifying their role in the modern penal system.

Modern Perspectives and Ongoing Debates

In the concluding section, Gary reflects on the ubiquity of incarceration in contemporary society and the ongoing debates surrounding the prison system. While incarceration is now almost universally accepted as the primary form of punishment, questions remain about its effectiveness, the appropriate prison population size, and the types of crimes that warrant imprisonment.

"There are still many debates about what prison should be, how many people should be in prison, and what crimes should require imprisonment," [33:45].

Despite the widespread adoption of prisons, alternative and rehabilitative approaches continue to be explored and implemented in various regions, signaling an ongoing evolution in criminal justice policies.

Conclusion

Gary Arndt's exploration of "Prisons and Jails" provides a comprehensive look into how incarceration became the predominant form of punishment in the modern world. From ancient and immediate forms of punishment to the structured and complex prison systems of today, the episode underscores the significant shift influenced by Enlightenment ideals and practical necessities. As societies continue to grapple with the challenges of crime and punishment, the prison system remains a crucial yet contentious aspect of maintaining societal order.

Notable Quotes:

• "The concept of incarceration as a formalized punishment system is relatively recent in modern history." – Gary Arndt [00:44]
• "Jails are short-term facilities to hold individuals awaiting trial, sentencing or serving sentences of less than a year, often for misdemeanors. Prisons, on the other hand, are long-term facilities to house individuals convicted of serious crimes, serving sentences usually longer than a year." – Gary Arndt [03:15]
• "The Pennsylvania system became popular in Europe, where it influenced many prisons in countries like Germany and France. However, it declined in use due to high costs and concerns about the negative psychological effect of prolonged isolation." – Gary Arndt [14:30]
• "Supermax prisons were developed to manage inmates who exhibit extreme violence, are leaders of prison gangs or criminal organizations, have escaped or attempted to escape from high security facilities and pose significant risks to staff or other inmates or the public." – Gary Arndt [22:10]
• "There are still many debates about what prison should be, how many people should be in prison, and what crimes should require imprisonment." – Gary Arndt [33:45]

Production Credits:

• Executive Producer: Charles Daniel
• Associate Producers: Benji Long and Cameron Keever
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Additional Notes:

For more information, listeners are encouraged to visit the show’s social media platforms and check the show notes for relevant links.