Explain how the mission of a jail is different from that of a prison.

Jails in the United States are facing numerous problems; they are often overcrowded–or close to it–and house some of the most debilitated and vulnerable persons in our communities including the accused, the guilty, and sentenced. As with prisons, their mission is to incapacitate (even the untried), to deter, to punish, and even to rehabilitate. Jails have served as a dumping ground for those who are marginally criminal and are unable or unwilling to access social services that could fix issues that contribute to their incarceration. Thankfully, there have been some other hopeful developments on the correctional horizon. Jails in a position to do so have expanded their medical and treatment options to address the needs of inmates. Even some jails have experimented with community engagement to ensure that the needs of people in communities are not neglected when such folks enter jails or reenter communities.

When reading chapter 6, be sure to focus on: how jails and prisons differ, types and purposes of jails, current trends in jails, issues of gender/race/age/ethnicity within jails, how the jail experience affects mentally ill and marginalized groups, and current jail reform programs. After reading, answer 2 of the 5 following questions as a reply to my discussion post:

1.Explain how the mission of a jail is different from that of a prison.
2.Indicate the major reasons for the increasing numbers of women and minorities in jail. Focus on both social and criminal aspects.
3.What types of social services should be provided to jail inmates?
4.Explain a few current issues within jails and how they are being addressed.
5.How does the jail experience of homeless or mentally ill differ from that of other inmates?

Please cite evidence from the textbook/outside articles when responding to ensure your understanding of the material.