Prison in America | Prison Revolts | Parole | Staying Out of Prison

Prison in America

Federal Bureau of Prisons Home page for the U.S. Department of Justice's Federal Bureau of Prisons. To find much information, click on "Public Information" and then on either "Quick Facts and Statistics," "Documents, Articles, and BOP History," or "Publications."

A Model Prison This 1995 Atlantic Monthly article discusses McKean, the federal correctional institution in Bradford, Pennsylvania, as a model for a new, more enlightened, and more effective prison system.

Prisons in America An interview with the author of "A Model Prison."

The Prisoners' Accomplice This 1996 Policy Review article argues that super-maximum-security facilities are an important part of the corrections system.

Background on Super Maximum Security Isolation Units Short summary of criticisms of super-max prisons. (ACLU of Kentucky)

Corrections Resource Sites Links to corrections departments, corrections officers, and other corrections resources.

Alcatraz: The Warden Johnston Years Extensive information about Alcatraz during the years 1933 to 1948, including photos, maps, reports, statistics, convict biographies, historical documents, a timeline, and links.

Alcatraz Island: U.S. Penitentiary From the National Parks Service.

Hutto v. Finney (1978) U.S. Supreme Court decision describing poor prison conditions.

Estelle v. Gamble (1976) U.S. Supreme Court decision ruling that the Eighth Amendment bans prison uncivilized or indecent prison conditions.

Rhodes v. Chapman (1981) U.S. Supreme Court decision holding that prison overcrowding does not necessarily violate the Eighth Amendment.

Prisons in the United States of America A report by Human Rights Watch on what it considers the deplorable condition of many U.S. prisons.

The Prison Activist Resource Center (PARC) A source for progressive and radical information on prisons and the criminal prosecution system.

World Prison Population List Data on the number of prisoners held in some 180 independent countries and dependent territories. This publication is the basis for the chart on page 204 in the text. (PDF File)

Corrections Corporation of America This is the leading private sector provider of detention and corrections services to federal, state, and local governments.

ACU Prison Privatization Links Links to articles opposing private prisons.

The Prison Privatization Research Site Studies, reports, statistics, and other information, most of it supporting private adult prisons.

Privatization of Prisons: The Public Policy Debate A good overview of the debate.

Emerging Issues on Privatized Prisons (Text) (PDF) A recent study from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, which outlines the arguments, both for and against privatized prisons, reviews current literature on the subject, and examines issues that will have an impact on future privatizations.

Correctional Recreation & Weightlifting in Prisons Information Site favoring recreational programs in prisons.

Prison Revolts

Attica Prison Riot A PBS interview with the mediator for Governor Rockefeller and an inmate participant.

Yahoo Directory: Attica Prison Riot

1980 Prison Riot a Black Mark on State's History An examination of the 1980 riot at New Mexico State Prison.

Why Prisoners Riot This 1955 Atlantic Monthly article by an ex-convict argues that prison riots usually start with a "small group of violently unstable men, usually at least mildly paranoid" who will only respond to strict discipline.

Major Prison Gangs Detailed descriptions of the six major prison gangs that participate in organized crime and violence.

The Gangs Behind Bars Insight magazine article on prison gangs.

Parole

Parole Statistics Links to the Bureau of Justice Statistics publications on parole.

Directory of State Parole Boards Links to state parole boards.

Staying Out of Prison

Ohio Resources A listing of resources for prisoners released in Ohio.

The Freeman Press An ex-con's story and tips on staying out of prison.

Return to Criminal Justice in America Links