Purpose and History Essay

The Code of Ur-Nammu assumed an understanding that the law descended from the gods, and the world power or ruler was the administrator of the law on the part of the people. below this code, severe penalties were considered to be unnecessary for the majority of crimes. Since people believed to know how they should roleplay towards each early(a), monetary fines served as a reminder of how to behave (Mark, 2014). The coordinate of the Code of Hammurabi is in truth particular, with each offense having a distinct discipline. The punishments tended to be extremely critical compared to todays modern day standards, umpteen of the offenses resulted in death, disfigurement, or the use of what we know today as heart and soul for eye, tooth for tooth (Lex Talionis Law of Retaliation) philosophy. The Code of Hammurabi is one of the earliest examples of law where the laying claim of innocence has been incorporated, and the acc employ and accuser have the opportunity to produce and present curtilage on their be half(prenominal). However, no provisions were made for extenuating circumstances to be presented in launch to alter any prescribed punishment. History of prison house developmentDuring the early colonial years, prisons had not yet been developed as a form of punishment for crimes. The colonists did however use jails, copying the English remains of g go aways, in order to hold defendants who were awaiting trial or for those already convicted and were awaiting their corporal or capital punishment. These jails had disconsolate conditions. Poor men, women, and children were all housed together, with very little food or sanitary conditions. Offenders who could afford it paid a fee in order to avoid jail this early unloosen strategy enabled the rich to pay a fee in order to be released. The conditions in some(prenominal) the English and colonial jails during the 1600s and 1700s were so deplorable that few doubted the need for reform (Richard P. Seiter, 2011). Comparison of the Pennsylvania and Auburn systemThe Pennsylvania system was known as the adjourn and silent system, with ease enforced and inmates not allowed to see or talk with each early(a). done this approach, it was believed that offenders would not be morally contaminated and be trained in crime by other prisoners. There were several problems with the Pennsylvania system. First, it was about impossible to keep prisoners from seeing and communicating with each other. Second, it was very everywherepriced to operate, as a requirement to keep prisoners separated this increased the tally of staff members needed. Third, there was very limited productivity by inmates, as a requirement to clobber alone in their cubicles did not allow for as much production of goods for resale as was desired. Fourth, opponents of the military operation of the Pennsylvania prisons suggested that the purdah imposed on prisoners made many of them psychogenicly ill. Finally, the planned opera tion was modified almost immediately.Two prisoners were placed in a cell together so one could control a trade from the other and increase the production of goods. The warden of the Eastern Penitentiary, Samuel Wood, used prisoners as servants in his crime syndicate and allowed them to communicate. The Pennsylvania system seemed doomed from its beginning and forced prison operators in other states to search for new approaches to overcome the problems. Although there was great wager in the Pennsylvania system, only two states (New Jersey and Rhode Island) take its separate and silent system. However, both soon abandoned the Pennsylvania system in favor of the improved system that was created in Auburn, New York (Richard P. Seiter, 2011). The Auburn system became known as the congregate and silent system as officials move to reduce the spread of criminal ideas by inmates through silence and exact discipline. Barnes and Teeters describe the enforcement of the system through locks tep marching with eyes downcast, hard ca-ca and activity while outside cells, and prohibitions of inmates even being face to face.after the operation of Auburn was copied at Sing Sing prison in New York, as well as at prisons in other states, the Auburn system was recognized as better than the Pennsylvania system. The prisons were cheaper to take in and operate, the congregate style allowed production of goods and more income for the state, and fewer prisoners developed mental health problems. Other prisons being built across the country adopted the Auburn system. The operation of prisons for sentenced offenders received international attention, and many countries sent representatives to essay the operation of both the Pennsylvania-style and Auburn-style prisons.Although the Pennsylvania style of prisons was seldom favored in the United States, most international visitors found advantages in both, and many best-loved the Pennsylvania system because of its effort to avoid cont amination among prisoners. During the first half of the nineteenth century, the Auburn style of silence, hard work, separation at night, collection during the day to maximize production of goods, and strict control was the method used for most American prisons (Richard P. Seiter, 2011). Impact and involvement of prison labor over timeThroughout US history, there have been many laws both morally and ethically concerning prison labor. The Hawes-Cooper Act and the Ashurst-Sumner Act made interstate trading of prison-made goods illegal. During the 1970s, many of laws regarding prison labor were amended. The Justice System usefulness Act of 1979 allowed for the privatization of prisons and the transport of their goods across state lines. Once this change in the law took place, the prison industry profits sky rocketed from $392 million to $1.31 billion. prison industry partnerships benefit both businesses and inmates. Businesses are provided with a stable, motivated work force, with re duced overhead, an alternative to overseas operations, and a made in the ground forces label. Inmates are provided with income to offset the cost of their incarceration, allows for compensation to victims and provides the inmates family with support. Inmates have the ability to learn a trade and gain valuable work experience (U.S. prison house Labor At Home and Abroad, 2003).ReferencesMark, J. J. (2014). Ancient History Encyclopedia. Retrieved fromhttp//www.ancient.eu.com/Ur-Nammu/Richard P. Seiter. (2011). department of corrections an introduction. Retrieved from Richard P. Seiter, CJA234 Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Admin/Human function website.U.S. Prison Labor at Home and Abroad. (2003). Retrieved fromhttp//www1.american.edu/TED/jail.htm