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Understanding the Concept of a Closed Prison
As you set out to learn more about laws and legal procedures, one particular phrase you may come across is 'closed prison'. The concept of a 'closed prison' plays a critical role in the criminal justice system and requires some in-depth understanding.
What is a Closed Security Prison?
A closed security prison, often referred to as a 'closed prison', is a type of incarceration facility where inmates have limited freedom of movement due to stringent security measures. These facilities are generally reserved for individuals who have been convicted of serious offenses and pose a significant risk to the community, hence the need for enhanced security.
In the realm of criminal justice, this topic plays a pivotal role and there are several key points to note for a more comprehensive understanding.
- The security measures in place are often extensive and include high walls, fortress-like designs, and an abundance of security personnel.
- Inmates are kept within the confines of the prison at all times, with limited opportunities for outdoor activities.
- Programs and activities within the prison are strictly supervised.
Contrary to popular belief, closed prisons are not designed to punish inmates, but to provide a secure environment that aims to prevent escape attempts, maintain public safety, and rehabilitate offenders through various programs.
What is Closed Custody in Prison?
Closed custody, a term often associated with closed prisons, refers to the highest level of supervision within the prison system. Inmates under closed custody live under highly restrictive conditions due to their high-risk status.
When delving into closed custody, it's important to note:
- Inmates in closed custody often have a history of violent behaviour or escape attempts, which warrants their strict supervision.
- Their day-to-day activities, including meals, recreation, and even shower times, are heavily supervised.
- Many jurisdictions have specific laws outlining the conditions under which a prisoner is placed in closed custody.
For instance, in the United Kingdom, convicted individuals who have committed a grave offence such as murder or terrorism, and identified as a severe threat to the public, are usually sent to a closed prison under a closed custody regime.
Comparing Closed Prison vs Open Prison
When examining the prison system, you'll frequently encounter references to 'closed' and 'open' prisons. It's imperative to discern between the two, as they signify different levels of security and administer unique approaches towards inmate rehabilitation.
Fundamental Differences Between Closed and Open Prisons
While a closed prison operates under stringent security measures, an open prison provides an environment with lesser restraints. Open prisons typically accommodate inmates who don't pose a severe threat to public safety, or are nearing the end of their sentence and preparing for reintegration into society.
There are several core aspects where closed and open prisons differ:
| Security Level | Closed prisons implement high security to contain high-risk inmates, whereas open prisons foster a low-security setting. |
| Inmate Freedom | Freedom of inmates is severely restricted in closed prisons. In contrast, open prisons provide more freedom, allowing inmates to engage in communal activities and even work outside the prison. |
| Rehabilitation Approach | Closed prisons primarily focus on maintaining security, with minimal focus on rehabilitation. Open prisons, on the other hand, emphasise rehabilitation and social reintegration. |
It's important to note that the classification of prisoners to closed or open prisons involves a comprehensive risk assessment. Numerous factors such as the severity of the crime, behavioural conduct, and remaining sentence duration are thoughtfully considered before any decision. The prime aim remains public safety.
The Typical Inmate Experience: Closed Prison vs Open Prison
For prisoners, the experience vastly varies between closed and open prisons.
- In closed prisons, inmates find themselves in a highly regimented schedule, with their movements monitored round the clock. These prisons provide fewer opportunities for personal growth and rehabilitation.
- In stark contrast, open prisons advocate for a more self-directed and responsibility-rich experience. Inmates often have access to work programs, education, and vocational training to prepare them for societal reintegration post-release.
For instance, at HMP Ford, an open prison in West Sussex, inmates work within the prison or on temporary releases in the local community, gaining practical skills and building their resumes. This kind of inmate experience stands in stark contrast to that of HMP Belmarsh, a closed prison, where inmates reside in locked cells for up to 22 hours a day, with strictly supervised activities.
Exploring the History of Closed Prisons
The concept of a closed prison, which is now a common component of the global criminal justice system, has a rich and complex historical background worth delving into. By understanding the origins and evolution of these institutions, you can garner a clearer perspective on their current practices and policies.
Origin and Evolution of Closed Prisons
Historically, closed prisons, essentially high-security prisons, have evolved as a response to changing societal needs, views on punishment, and developments in the judicial and correctional systems.
The concept of closed prisons, as we know them today, has roots dating back to the 19th century. Prisons were originally used as holding areas for people before their court hearings. The concept of imprisonment as punishment began to evolve with the idea of 'penitentiaries' - institutions where criminals could reflect on their actions and penitence.
- The Eastern State Penitentiary in Pennsylvania, USA, built in 1829, is considered one of the earliest examples of a modern closed prison. It had an influential design principle - the 'Pennsylvania System'. This system, known for its solitariness, aimed to encourage inmates to reflect and reform.
- Simultaneously, on the other side of the Atlantic, the 'Auburn System' developed a separate school of thought. Unlike the solitary approach, it encouraged hard labour and communal activities among inmates, minus any communication.
In the decades that followed, as societies became more complex, so did crimes. The closed prison system began to adapt, fitting into a larger network of institutions designed to respond to and deter criminal behaviour. This led to the development of different types of prisons, including minimum, medium, and maximum (closed) facilities, each catering to specific types of offenders depending on the severity of their crimes and their risk to society.
Key Milestones in the History of Closed Prisons in the UK
The history of closed prisons in the United Kingdom is marked by significant milestones, each highlighting changes to the understanding and practice of imprisonment.
| 1850 | The 'separate system', a policy for separate confinement of prisoners, inspired by the Pennsylvania System, was first introduced in Brixton Prison. |
| 1990s | The concept of categorisation of prisons into open and closed was formally put into practice, with set guidelines regarding 'security categories' for inmates. |
| 1997 | Introduction of 'prison overcrowding' as a key concern by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons, amplifying the discourse surrounding the conditions in closed prisons. |
| 2003 | Launch of the 'Decency Agenda' for prisons by the Prison Service in England and Wales, aiming to provide safe, clean and humane conditions for all prisoners. |
A significant milestone, especially in context with a closed prison, is the opening of HMP Belmarsh in 1991. A category A closed prison, it was designed to implement the lessons learned from previous high-security prisons like Wakefield and Wormwood Scrubs. It has since housed many high-profile offenders, including those convicted of terrorism-related offences, evidencing the ongoing need for such high-security facilities.
Rehabilitation Opportunities in Closed Prisons
Although closed prisons are characterised by high levels of surveillance and limited mobility for inmates, they are also tasked with the significant responsibility of providing rehabilitation opportunities. The ultimate aim is to lower recidivism rates and equip prisoners with skills and tools needed for their eventual societal reintegration.
Rehabilitation Programmes in UK Closed Prisons
Rehabilitation Programmes, in the context of closed prisons, involve interventions designed to change offending behaviour, improve mental health, and provide vocational skills to inmates. These programmes are an integral part of the prison system's efforts to reduce reoffending.
UK closed prisons offer quite a variety of rehabilitation programmes, despite the strict environmental conditions. These programmes broadly fall into the following categories:
- Behavioural Treatment Programmes
- Educational and Vocational Training
- Substance Misuse Programmes
- Mental Health Care.
The highly-recognised Offending Behaviour Programmes (OBPs) form a major part of the behavioural treatment approach in the UK. These programmes use cognitive-behavioural techniques to help prisoners recognise and deal with patterns of thought that can lead to criminal behaviour. OBPs contain different modules focusing on areas such as violence, sexual offending, and domestic abuse.
For instance, the Challenge for Change (CfC) and Resolve are two notable OBPs in closed prisons that focus on violence-related offending. They promote non-aggressive ways to handle conflicts and foster skills for emotion management and empathy.
Effectiveness of Rehabilitation in Closed Prisons
The effectiveness of rehabilitation is measured in terms of its impact on reducing reoffending rates - that is, the recurrence of criminal or antisocial behaviour by the same person after receiving correctional interventions.
Analysing the effectiveness of rehabilitation in closed prisons can be complex due to the multiple variables involved. The nature of the offence, duration of the sentence, individual's commitment to change, and quality of the programme all factor into the equation. However, key indicators reflecting the success of such programmes include:
- Reduced reoffending rates among programme participants
- Improved mental health symptoms
- Development of employable skills and increased post-release employment rates
Meta-analyses, which are statistical methods for contrasting and combining results from different studies, have shown positive results regarding the effectiveness of prison rehabilitation. A notable example is the study by Mark Lipsey and Francis Cullen, demonstrating that rehabilitation programmes do have a significant positive effect in reducing reoffending. Yet, it's also crucial to note that the effectiveness largely depends on the quality and suitability of the programme for the individual inmate.
A look at the Ministry of Justice’s outcome evaluation of the Resolve OBP in England and Wales provides a good instance. The study found that prisoners who completed the program had an 11% lower rate of reoffending compared to those who did not receive any intervention. Studies like these provide strong evidence for the effectiveness and importance of such rehabilitation programmes in closed prisons.
Impact of Closed Prisons on Inmates
While closed prisons possess indispensable roles in maintaining societal order and public safety, it's equally crucial to address the potential repercussions they may impose on the inmates. Namely, these pertain to their psychological wellbeing, their social ties, as well as their rehabilitation process and prospects for successful reintegration into society.
Psychological and Social Impact of Closed Prisons on Inmates
The psychological impact refers to the effects that closed prison conditions have on an inmate's mental and emotional health, ranging from stress and depression to severe mental disorders. The social impact, on the other hand, relates to alterations in an inmate's social relationships and interactions brought by their confinement.
Living under highly restrictive and monitored conditions in closed prisons can have profound consequences on an inmate's mindset and emotional state, such as:
- Increase in mental health disorders including depression, anxiety, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Higher rates of self-harm and suicide compared to the general population
- Strain caused by isolation and limited social contact leading to problems with social skills and interpersonal relationships
Research studies corroborate these concerns. In their notable work, researcher Craig Haney and Philip Zimbardo have shed light on the 'pains of imprisonment', highlighting how the deprivation of liberty, autonomy, and security in prison settings lead to chronic stress, emotional distress, and cognitive disturbances among inmates.
The social impact of closed prisons is equally significant. Inmates are often cut off from family and social networks for extended periods, a factor known to aggravate the difficulties of adjusting back to society post-release.
Some of the common social repercussions include:
- Strained relationships with families due to lack of frequent contact
- Children of incarcerated parents facing stigma and trauma
- Difficulty in maintaining social skills due to limited social interactions
To illustrate, a 2019 report by the Prison Reform Trust in the UK outlined the challenges faced by families of those in prison. It highlighted the strain caused by restricted and often costly visitation arrangements in closed prisons, leading to weakened family ties and emotional stress on both inmates and their families.
Influence of Closed Prisons on Inmate's Rehabilitation and Reintegration
The process of rehabilitation and reintegration refers to the measures used to aid inmates in becoming law-abiding citizens after serving their sentence. The goal of these initiatives is to reduce reoffending by addressing the root causes of criminal behaviour and preparing offenders for a law-abiding life post-release.
However, the restrictive and deprivational nature of closed prisons can have several implications on this rehabilitational journey:
- High-security settings can create an environment of fear and stress, inhibiting personal growth and progress in rehabilitation programmes
- Lack of real-world exposure and limited social interactions can impede the development of social skills and practical knowledge necessary for reintegration into the community
- The stigma and reduced opportunities faced by ex-prisoners can lead to recidivism, undermining the effectiveness of any rehabilitation undertaken while in imprisonment
Feeling excessively punished or facing harsh conditions in imprisonment can potentially foster a sense of resentment among inmates instead of remorse, hence counteracting the foundational intentions of rehabilitation. As cited by researcher Shadd Maruna, many successful 'desisters' from crime often reflect that they felt dignified during their rehabilitation, emphasising the need for a humanising approach in correctional settings.
Taking the case of the UK's closed prisons, a 2017 report by the HM Inspectorate of Prisons expressed concern over inadequate and poor-quality rehabilitative work in many institutions due to staff shortages and safety issues. This bears out the fact that the environment and conditions of closed prisons can indeed pose challenges to the successful rehabilitation of inmates.
Closed prison - Key takeaways
- Closed custody in prison involves strict supervision within the prison system due to high-risk status of inmates which often includes a history of violent behaviour or escape attempts.
- While a closed prison operates under stringent security measures aimed mainly at ensuring security, an open prison provides an environment with lesser restraints, focusing more on rehabilitation and social reintegration.
- The history of closed prisons dates back to the 19th Century with the introduction of 'penitentiaries'. The concept of modern closed prison is often attributed to the Eastern State Penitentiary in Pennsylvania, USA, built in 1829.
- Rehabilitation programmes in closed prisons, despite their restrictive nature, can include behavioural treatment programmes, educational and vocational training, substance misuse programmes and mental health care. It has been shown that such programmes can have a significant positive effect in reducing reoffending rates.
- Being in a closed prison can have a profound psychological and social impact on the inmates, with potential for increased mental health disorders, higher rates of self-harm and suicide, strained relationships and difficulties maintaining social skills due to limited social interactions.
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