Evolution Of Incarceration

How has the concept of incarceration evolved over time?(1500-2000 words) In this paper I will be demonstrating how prison has transformed over the past two decades. Michael Foucault is one of the most important and influential humanistic and social scientific disciplines. He published the “ Discipline and Punish” book , and suggested in order to achieve effective control by stating “to punish less, perhaps; but certainly to punish better”. There have been some significant changes , such as the changing size and composition of the growth of prison population. According to Home Office(2004) the prison population has risen from low 40,722 inmates in December 1991 to 77,400 by the end of 2005. The population has increased expressively. Prisons

Hard labour was established to be seen as an alternative and appropriate way of sanction in the mid-18th century imprisonment. Influential writers and social commentators including Daniel Defoe (1728), Bernard de Mandeville (1725) and Henry Fielding (1751) demanded for the removal of public hanging. They also suggested an alternative punishment that would be more effective and appropriate form of punishment like solitary confinement. John Howard (1777) labelled prison during this period of time as disorganised, barbaric and filthy. He demanded changes to be made, including a proper diet, living conditions, installation of paid workers and outside inspection. Bentham(1791) designed the “Panopticon”, the aim was to allow the prison staff to observe the inmates and to manage and run the prison in a more efficient and safe way. His panopticon was used as an template for prison buildings for a very long period of time. Bentham also believed that prisoners should suffer punishment and face the consequences for the crime they have committed, however, it should not lead to damaging their health or putting their life at

Debates were held to discuss and argue that prisoners should not just be completely isolated, but should be able to work during the day. The Auburn State Prison was built in New York 1823, the prison implemented a system, prisoners sleeps in separate cells during the night and work labour together with other inmates during the day. On the other hand, the Auburn State Prison 1823, in New York kept all prisoners separated to reduce the risk of ‘contamination’, and also suggested other benefits such as making prisoners reflect on the crime that they have committed during the segregation and being alone in their separate