Prison classification systems are critical for the welfare of incarcerated people and are argued among a variety of people regarding the feasibility of the implementation of such classifications. The prison classification system is a "method of assessing inmate risks and needs that balances the security and concerns of the institution with treatment needs of the individual", (Siegel & Bartollas, 2014, p. 163). We simply cannot turn a blind eye towards the needs of incarcerated individuals nor their welfare, regardless of the crimes they have been convicted of committing. Common sense allows that an individual incarcerated for an extended period of time will affect the livelihood of that individual as the new life they engage in is usually different from their previous one as well as limited freedom they will endure. The National Advisory Commission on Criminal Justice Standards and Goals emphasized on the variables of an offender as they determine how and where an offender should …show more content…
It's not a wise idea to combine detainees serving a long sentence for a serious crime with detainees serving a lesser sentence for a much less serious crime. Data that is collected and reflects the individual's crime, length of their sentence, and their criminal history determines which security level of prison they will be assigned to and is known as the external classification systems (Siegel & Bartollas, 2014).
The method used for determining where an offender will be institutionalized and what facility programs will be beneficial to the offender is called internal classification systems (Siegel & Bartollas, 2014). The internal classification systems emphasize on the offender's characteristics as well as the type of sentence or punishment imposed to the