History of Prisons in the United States

Prisons in the US were established post-American Revolution to avoid violent punishments associated with tyranny. Initially, Quaker reformers built penitentiaries for confinement and repentance. After the War of 1812, punishment styles shifted towards cost-effective incarceration, influenced by slavery. The state used force to ensure compliance, reflecting monarchical practices and the direction of the Jacksonian era. Sing Sing prison became a model for incarceration worldwide.

What was the primary reason for the establishment of prisons in the United States after the American Revolution?

• To create spaces for confinement and repentance

• To increase the use of violent punishments

• To expand the monarchy's influence

• To reduce the cost of incarceration

Which group was instrumental in building the early prisons in the United States?

• French revolutionaries

• Puritan settlers

• Quaker reformers

• British loyalists

What change occurred in the prison system after the War of 1812?

• A return to older punishment styles influenced by slavery

• A shift towards more humane treatment

• An increase in the number of prisons

• A focus on reforming all prisoners

What was the primary goal of incarceration during the period after the War of 1812?

• To eliminate all forms of punishment

• To expand the prison system

• To lower incarceration costs for those deemed un-reformable

• To reform all citizens

How did the use of state force in prisons during the Jacksonian period reflect past practices?

• It was influenced by European prison models

• It was based on democratic principles

• It was a new approach never seen before

• It was reminiscent of monarchical and tyrannical practices

Which prison became a model for incarceration practices internationally?

• Rikers Island

• Sing Sing

• New-Gate

• Alcatraz

In which regions did Sing Sing's model of incarceration have an influence?

• In the Middle East and Eastern Europe

• In the Americas, Western Europe, and Australia

• Throughout Asia and Africa

• Only in the United States