Question 1

The makeup of the prison population is increasingly minority, as white offenders comprise a continually smaller proportion of the prison population.

Accepted Answer

Over the past decades, the proportion of minority groups within the prison population has increased, leading to a more diverse prison population where white offenders constitute a smaller percentage. This trend reflects broader issues related to racial disparities in the criminal justice system, including differences in arrest rates, sentencing, and conviction rates among different racial and ethnic groups.

Question 2

The percentage of elderly and juvenile offenders sentenced to adult prisons is increasing.

Accepted Answer

There is no consistent data indicating an increase in the percentage of elderly and juvenile offenders being sentenced to adult prisons; trends can vary by region and over time.

Question 3

Corrections is more a manufacturing operation than about people managing correctional clients.

Accepted Answer

Corrections primarily involves the management, rehabilitation, and supervision of individuals who have been convicted of crimes, focusing on both the safety of the public and the reintegration of offenders into society, rather than manufacturing operations.

Question 4

The number of females under all types of correctional supervision has grown at a more rapid rate than the number of males under supervision.

Accepted Answer

Since the 1980s, the female incarcerated population has grown at a faster rate than the male incarcerated population, reflecting broader trends in the criminal justice system's handling of women, including changes in law enforcement practices, sentencing laws, and post-conviction barriers to reentry.

Question 5

The disproportionate numbers of minorities under correctional supervision have more to do with racism within the criminal justice system than with social factors influencing crime, race, and social class.

Accepted Answer

While systemic racism and biases within the criminal justice system contribute to the disproportionate numbers of minorities under correctional supervision, social factors such as poverty, education, unemployment, and community resources also play significant roles in influencing crime rates and interactions with the criminal justice system across different races and social classes.

Question 6

A majority of the prison population is comprised of minorities.

Accepted Answer

In the United States, minorities, particularly African Americans and Hispanics, make up a disproportionate share of the prison population compared to their share of the overall population. This is due to a variety of factors, including systemic issues, socioeconomic disparities, and racial biases in the criminal justice system.

Question 7

Sentence length has been increasing due to many "tough on crime" statutes that have been passed since 1980.

Accepted Answer

Since the 1980s, many "tough on crime" statutes, including mandatory minimum sentencing laws, three-strikes laws, and truth-in-sentencing laws, have been passed in the United States, contributing to longer sentences and an increase in the prison population.

Question 8

Prisons currently house few elderly offenders, most of whom are in relatively good health.

Accepted Answer

The number of elderly offenders in prisons has been increasing, and many of them face significant health issues, often requiring more medical care than younger inmates.

Question 9

Violence is equally likely in male prisons and female prisons.

Accepted Answer

Male prisons generally have higher rates of violence compared to female prisons. This is due to various factors including differences in the reasons for incarceration, the nature of social interactions, and the physical strength of the inmates.

Question 10

Prison systems are predominantly planned and administered around the management of male inmates.

Accepted Answer

Most prison systems around the world have historically been designed with male inmates in mind, focusing on their management, security, and rehabilitation needs, often leading to policies and facilities that do not adequately address the specific needs of female inmates.

Question 11

The average length of women's prison sentences is equal to those of men.

Accepted Answer

Studies and statistics have shown that, on average, women receive shorter prison sentences than men for similar crimes. This discrepancy has been attributed to various factors, including gender biases in the judicial system.

Question 12

Almost 80 percent of the women in state prisons have "severe, long-standing substance abuse problems."

Accepted Answer

Studies and reports, including those from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, have shown that a high percentage of women in state prisons have histories of severe and long-standing substance abuse problems, often nearing or exceeding 80 percent.

Question 13

Objective classification systems developed for male offenders often "'overclassify" female offenders.

Accepted Answer

Objective classification systems developed for male offenders often do not account for the different pathways to crime and risk factors specific to female offenders, leading to the overclassification of women into higher security levels than may be necessary.

Question 14

Female offenders suffer from mental illness at a lower rate than their male counterparts.

Accepted Answer

Female offenders have a higher prevalence of mental health issues compared to male offenders, including higher rates of mood disorders, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Question 15

To improve the parental relationship between women inmates and their children, many prisons have established parenting programs that often include training classes to improve parenting skills.

Accepted Answer

Many prisons have recognized the importance of maintaining and improving the parental relationship between incarcerated women and their children. To support this, they have established parenting programs that often include training classes aimed at improving parenting skills, understanding child development, and facilitating positive interactions between mothers and their children.

Question 16

Racial ________ exists when minorities comprise a greater percentage of those under correctional supervision than their makeup in the U.S. population.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Racial ________ exists when minorities comprise a...

Question 17

________ offenders are people convicted of crimes regarding the possession or sale of drugs.

Accepted Answer

The answer of ________ offenders are people convicted of crimes...

Question 18

In terms of recidivism, rates for ________ offenders are high, yet are thought to be less than recidivism rates for comparable male offenders.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In terms of recidivism, rates for ________...

Question 19

The inmates in a prison who do not have any specific designation as a special type of offender represent the ________ population.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The inmates in a prison who do...

Question 20

The most recent report on length of prison sentence shows that women serve considerably ________ time than men in prison.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The most recent report on length of...

Quiz 7: The Clients of Adult Correctional Agencies