Question 1

This definition of prison capacity signifies the number of beds or inmates assigned by a rating official to institutions within the jurisdiction.

Accepted Answer

Rated capacity is the number of inmates that a correctional facility is intended to hold based on the number of beds and other factors. It is assigned by a rating official, taking into account things like the physical space available, staffing levels, and other resources.

Question 2

Which of the following factors have not contributed to the increase in the number of prisoners age 55 or older?

Accepted Answer

C

Question 3

This solution to prison crowding relies on construction of more prisons, the conversion of facilities built for other purposes, and renovations of existing facilities in order to increase the number of prisoners they can accommodate.

Accepted Answer

This solution involves increasing the capacity of the prison system through the construction, conversion, and renovation of facilities, which falls under the category of capacity expansion. The other choices (A, B, and C) are not appropriate as they do not accurately describe this specific solution. Design capacity refers to the maximum number of prisoners a facility can hold under ideal conditions. Operational capacity is the number of prisoners a facility can hold while still maintaining safe and humane conditions. Demand reduction focuses on reducing the number of people who are sent to prison in the first place, rather than addressing the issue of overcrowding directly.

Question 4

More than half of state inmates have a current conviction for a ________ crime.

Accepted Answer

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, as of 2019, 53% of state prisoners were serving time for a violent offense, compared to 17% for property offenses, 15% for drug offenses, and 7% for public order offenses. Therefore, the best choice is B) Violent.

Question 5

The ___________, a prison industry, was common in Southern prisons after the Civil War.

Accepted Answer

The lease system, also known as the convict lease system, was a common form of prison industry in Southern prisons after the Civil War. Under this system, state governments would lease out prisoners to private companies or individuals for labor, often in dangerous or exploitative conditions. This system was notorious for its cruelty and abuse of prisoners.

Question 6

This prison industry uses inmate labor for public service projects, such as road maintenance, construction of parks, and other government services.

Accepted Answer

The public works system uses inmate labor for government public service projects.

Question 7

This prison industry required that the manufacturer supply the raw materials to the prison so that the inmates could construct the finished product.

Accepted Answer

The piece price system is characterized by the practice where manufacturers supply raw materials to the prison, and inmates then construct the finished product, typically being paid on a per-piece basis. This system allows for the production of goods by prison labor, with the specifics of the arrangement, including the supply of materials and the payment for labor, being determined by the contract between the prison and the manufacturer.

Question 8

Which of the following is not one of the purposes of jail work programs?

Accepted Answer

While jail work programs may offer incentives and rewards for good behavior, their primary purposes are to reduce inmate idleness, develop work habits and skills, and reduce costs. Reward systems are not considered a primary purpose of these programs.

Question 9

This is a housing unit kept separate from the general inmate population so that inmates in the unit are separated from attackers.

Accepted Answer

Protective custody is a housing unit in a correctional facility that separates inmates from the general population to protect them from harm by other inmates, such as gang members or those with a history of violent behavior. Solitary confinement is a form of punishment where an inmate is isolated in a cell for 22-24 hours a day, with limited to no human interaction. The infirmary is a medical unit within the prison where inmates receive medical treatment. The warden's office is the administrative office of the prison warden.

Question 10

____________ involves the testing and assessment of inmates to determine inmate treatment needs and prison custody and security needs.

Accepted Answer

Classification is the process of evaluating inmates upon admission to prison to determine the appropriate custody and program assignment. This process involves the testing and assessment of inmates to determine their treatment needs and prison custody and security needs. The other options, such as presentence investigation reports, inmate files, and risk assessment, are important components of the prison system, but they do not involve the same level of testing and assessment as classification.

Question 11

This model suggests that the inmate code or prison subculture develops as a reaction to the losses experienced by prisoners on arrival to the prison.

Accepted Answer

The deprivation model posits that the inmate code or prison subculture develops as a response to the deprivation experienced by prisoners upon entering the prison environment. This deprivation can include loss of personal freedoms, loss of autonomy, and loss of social support networks. As a result, prisoners may form alternative support systems with other inmates, adopt a certain set of values and norms, and engage in behaviors that are deemed acceptable within the subculture but may be contrary to the rules and regulations of the prison.

Question 12

Prisons are the only place where medical care is constitutionally required.

Accepted Answer

The Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution requires that prisoners be provided with adequate medical care, making prisons the only place where medical care is constitutionally mandated.

Question 13

There has been a rapid growth in the use of private prisons.

Accepted Answer

The answer of There has been a rapid growth in...

Question 14

By 2016, jail populations reflected the lowest level of jail crowding since 1984.

Accepted Answer

According to a report by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, jail populations in 2016 reflected the lowest level of jail crowding since 1984.

Question 15

Most states require small copays from certain inmates who wish to visit the prison medical clinic for treatment of common illnesses.

Accepted Answer

Most states do require small copays from certain inmates who wish to visit the prison medical clinic for treatment of common illnesses. This is intended to reduce unnecessary medical visits and to offset the cost of healthcare for the state.

Question 16

The Supreme Court has ruled that inmate healthcare must be of excellent quality.

Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court has ruled that inmate healthcare must be adequate, not necessarily of "excellent" quality, ensuring it meets basic standards and does not violate the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.

Question 17

Prison factories have not been profitable.

Accepted Answer

Prison factories have not been profitable because the cost of operating them is often higher than the revenue they generate.

Question 18

Evaluations of diversion programs often show a net-widening effect.

Accepted Answer

Evaluations of diversion programs have shown that they often lead to a net-widening effect, where more people become involved in the criminal justice system than would have been otherwise. This is because some individuals who may not have been arrested or prosecuted without the availability of diversion programs are now being referred to these programs, leading to a larger number of individuals being processed by the system.

Question 19

More than half of state prisoners report using inhalants prior to incarceration.

Accepted Answer

Most state prisoners report using drugs prior to incarceration, but the most commonly reported substances are marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin, rather than inhalants. Inhalant use is relatively less common among this population.

Question 20

In prisons where inmates are satisfied with their treatment, there is more violence.

Accepted Answer

This statement is actually the opposite of what research and evidence have shown. Prisons with higher levels of violence often have inmate dissatisfaction with their treatment, such as inadequate medical care, lack of access to education or job training, or mistreatment by staff. When inmates are satisfied with their treatment and have access to resources and opportunities for rehabilitation, there tends to be lower levels of violence.

Quiz 11: Problems and Issues in Incarceration