This semester I want to learn more about MN maximum security prisons and those sentenced to life because I feel very uninformed on this topic and have many assumptions that could be far fetched.
I’ve learned that people sentenced in any Maximum security prison, like the one here in MN, are for people who have committed crimes of the highest rank of unreasonable violence such as a serial killers. I would assume all these types of prisoners would have committed these types of crimes and deserve life in prison from there crimes. I learned this from a television show and a criminal justice class.
I think the most difficult part in my research for this topic will be finding up to date information.
Hi Mary,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post on maximum security prisons. Is it safe to say that the population that you want to learn more about is the prison population in maximum security prisons? Or are you looking at a more narrow segment of this population, such as serial killers? I wonder who invented the term "serial killer", anyway--the legal system, the criminal justice system, or the media? I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Professor Wexelbaum
I guess I'm looking for the population most common in maximum security prisons and find out if my assumption is right or wrong. When I think of these maximum security prisons, I think of the worst type of criminals are contained here in my opinion, for example: serial killers, pedophiles and rapists. The way the media portrays prison in TV shows and movies, the serial killer are the ones with chains around their ankles and wrists locked into 3 layers of bard cages. I’m wondering if the media is right or wrong.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I’d like to explore why maximum security if necessary for this population. To learn more about this aspect I would probably have to learn some background information on that population and these types of prisons.
Hi Mary,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the clarification. I remember we talked on Tuesday and you had started to look online for information about maximum security prisons. That is one direction--to learn about the facilities themselves, and the type of criminals housed there and why.
It is a good question--why is maximum security necessary for that particular population? To add to this (which may help your background research)--are there any laws which specifically state that punishment for particular crimes must involve internment in a particular type of facility? How is that decision made? And is it made solely for violent / unstable offenders?
Over the course of the semester I think you will find the answers to these questins. I look forward to learning more about what you find out!
Sincerely,
Professor Wexelbaum