Chapter 12: What Forces Led To The Shift In Philosophy
Chapter 12what Forces Led To The Shift In Philosophy Of The Federal Bu
What forces led to the shift in philosophy of the Federal Bureau of Prisons in the 1970s? Or why does the Bureau of Prisons have such an advantage over state systems in generating programs?
Paper For Above instruction
The shift in the philosophy of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) during the 1970s was primarily driven by broader societal, political, and criminal justice factors. During this period, a combination of rising crime rates, increased public concern about systemic inefficiencies, and a reevaluation of correctional goals prompted a reevaluation of how federal incarceration was approached. Historically, the BOP had focused on rehabilitation, emphasizing individualized treatment and correctional programs. However, the escalating crime crisis of the 1960s and early 1970s shifted the focus toward more punitive measures, emphasizing incarceration and deterrence over rehabilitation.
One significant force influencing this shift was the 'Law and Order' political climate that gained prominence in the late 1960s and early 1970s, emphasizing tough-on-crime policies. Politicians and policymakers advocated for stricter sentencing laws, expanded prison capacity, and a focus on domestic security, which translated into policies that prioritized punishment and custody over rehabilitative ideals. The Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, for example, reflected the political sentiment favoring increased incarceration, which influenced the BOP’s policies and programming focus.
Another influential factor was the changing perceptions of rehabilitation itself. During this era, critics argued that rehabilitation had failed to produce meaningful reductions in recidivism, leading to a decline in support for therapeutic programs within correctional institutions. The War on Drugs, launched in the 1970s, further prioritized punitive measures for drug offenses, which disproportionately affected federal inmates and reinforced a more restrictive and security-oriented philosophy within the BOP.
Additionally, the federal system’s organizational structure and funding mechanisms gave it an advantage in adapting to these changing priorities. Unlike many state systems, which often faced budget constraints and political variability, the BOP benefited from federal funding, enabling the expansion of facilities and programming that aligned with the new punitive philosophy. The centralized authority of the federal government also allowed for the implementation of standardized policies and procedures across institutions, facilitating a more consistent and punitive approach to incarceration.
Furthermore, technological advances and infrastructure expansion during this period enabled the BOP to develop and implement more sophisticated security measures and program models. The focus shifted from rehabilitation to a systematic emphasis on custody and control, with an emphasis on discipline and security, aligning with the broader societal desire for safer communities. This strategic shift allowed the BOP to maintain its institutional advantage over state systems, which often lacked the resources or political support for similar changes.
The advantage of the BOP over state prison systems in generating programs can also be attributed to its centralized management, access to federal resources, and capacity to implement comprehensive policies efficiently. The federal system could pilot innovative programs, standardize procedures, and allocate resources more effectively than often fragmented state systems. This organizational cohesion provided the federal prisons with an inherent advantage in producing and maintaining programs aimed at security and discipline, though often at the expense of rehabilitative efforts.
In summary, the shift in the philosophy of the Federal Bureau of Prisons in the 1970s was driven by societal demands for harsher criminal penalties, political realignments favoring punishment, criticisms of rehabilitative approaches, and structural advantages inherent in the federal system. Collectively, these forces facilitated a concerted move toward more punitive, security-focused policies within the federal prison system, setting the tone for criminal justice policy in subsequent decades.
References
- Lacey, N. (2008). Pathways to the Penitentiary: A Historical Overview of Federal Penal Philosophy. Cambridge University Press.
- Carlen, P. (2002). Gender, Crime and Punishment: The Imprisonment of Women. Routledge.
- Clear, T. R., & Cole, G. F. (2019). American Corrections. Cengage Learning.
- Litwack, J. (2019). The Politics of Crime and Justice. Oxford University Press.
- U.S. Congress. (1968). Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act.
- Walmsley, R. (2018). World Prison Brief. Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research.
- Roberts, J. V. (1996). Sentencing and Corrections. Routledge.
- Bottoms, A. (1995). The Philosophy of Punishment. Oxford University Press.
- Mears, D. P., & Cochran, J. C. (2015). Prisoner Reentry in the Era of Mass Incarceration. Annual Review of Criminology, 1, 1–21.