Behind American Prison Policy and Population Growth

An Inside Account

Chris Menton

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Hardback

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English

Peter Lang Publishing Inc
29 October 2020

Prisons; Political science & theory

In the final decades of the 20th century, a confluence of factors precipitated a policy change in the criminal justice arena that led to unprecedented growth. This growth translated into the criminalization, sentencing and incarceration of tens of thousands of marginalized people in the United States. These factors are considered in Behind American Prison Policy and Population Growth: An Inside Account. Tales are told of the increased prison population that necessitated a continuous unfolding of prison construction projects, rehabbing abandoned state hospitals and private prisons, all with the aim of more and more secure accommodations. During this time, the author was a participant/observer at all correctional security levels, treatment and medical facilities and personnel training in this system. His roles over the years included increased responsibility and regular direct contact with incarcerated individuals in on-the-line or line supervisor positions. The narrative is enhanced by the author's background as social science scholar. This is a unique perspective, documenting a historic upturn in long-term detention addressing crime and disorder. These overarching realities produced struggle across all participants, including clients, staff, consultants and visitors. Their stories of being swept up in the constant demand for increasing capacity offer compelling background to the consequences of visceral responses guiding criminal justice.

By: Chris Menton
Imprint: Peter Lang Publishing Inc
Country of Publication: United States
Edition: New edition
Dimensions: Height: 225mm, Width: 150mm,
Weight: 425g
ISBN: 9781433180026
ISBN 10: 1433180022
Pages: 226
Publication Date: 29 October 2020
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

List of Figures – Acknowledgments – Prologue – Correction Officer Basic Training – Getting Started at the Prison Colony – Inmate Housing Unit 1–2 – The 4:00 by 12:00 Shift – The Quiet House – Lifers and Almost and Soon To Be – More Responsibility Through Experience – The Pre-Release Center by Fenway Park – Urban Pre-Release for a Short Time – Working with the Sick and Imprisoned – Bulletproofish – The People’s Republic of Boston Pre-Release – Opening a Treatment Center – Incarcerated Drunk Drivers – Finding My Way to the Training Academy – Basic Training and Beyond – Where to from Here – Index.

Chris Menton worked twenty years for the Massachusetts Department of Correction, starting as correction officer and retiring as director of staff training. From Boston University, he earned a master’s degree in Criminal Justice Personnel Training and a Doctorate in Societal Studies. He is Professor at Roger Williams University. He believes education is transformative.

Reviews for Behind American Prison Policy and Population Growth: An Inside Account

Chris Menton meticulously reconstructs the camaraderie and conflict among Massachusetts correctional staff amidst the nationwide prison boom. Khaki was the new black among workers who held captive, and sometimes provided care for, a growing population struggling with mental illness, substance use disorder, and the inhumanity of mass incarceration. This book may be thought of as a bibliotherapy for pessimists about prison reform. It is heartening to read this tale, filled as it is with insight, devoid of the usual stereotypes about people in prison. I came away filled with appreciation for the stories and the insights. -Nazgol Ghandnoosh, Ph.D., Senior Research Analyst, The Sentencing Project, Campaign to End Life Imprisonment