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Penal Reform

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By the late nineteenth century it became clear that the ideology of penal reform that had held together the framework of the penitentiary was dissolving. Progressive reformers realized the values and strategies that once were effective in battling the tumultuous effect of urbanization, industrialization, and mass immigration to be ineffective. The theories proposed by psychologist Sigmund Freud and naturalist Charles Darwin launched a new conversation in the reform community. Reformers such as Brockway turned to this new “scientific knowledge” in order to combat the crumbling notions of reform, pushing progressive strategies to focus on the nature of the offender, rather then the offence (Blomberg & Lucken, 2010, pp.61-71). The 1870 National …show more content…

School programs were without supplies, inmate classifications weren’t distinguishable, detailed treatment plans fell short, and harsh fines depleted the worth and value of paid labor. Due to the lack of guidelines for indeterminate sentencing the original promise and purpose was lost and abused by officials seeking to gain further control over insubordinate inmates. Parole board members were unqualified and failed at adequately reviewing offenders progress or failures. Overcrowding pushed for early release, rendering requirements lax and often overlooked. Once released, parole officers failed at physically supervising offenders, relying on paperwork and formalities to monitor their progress and reform (Blomberg & Lucken, 2010, pp. 80-82). Overall, the Progressive Era held promising concepts and ideas regarding the notions of reform. By focusing on the nature of the individual and adopting scientific principles regarding psychology, sociology, and biology, reformers crafted a new context in which reform could be measured and examined in a tangible matter. However, due to mismanagement, overcrowding, and understaffing the progressive ideology never reached its full potential or expected

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