Under Arrest - J is for Jail

Photo by Suzy Hazelwood from Pexels

Welcome back to A-Z, almost half time! Today it's all about the letter J, and I'll be talking about Jail and how it's different than prison.

There are over 3,000 county jails, some 1,700 state prisons and only 100 federal prisons in the United States.

Let's start with jail - this is where you go after being arrested.

Police have to read you the rights if they take you into custody and want to question you:

Booking: this is when they're taking your fingerprints and mug shot. Here's a short video about this process:

At your arraignment you are being presented with your charges, and you plead guilty, no contest or not guilty.

Depending on how serious your crime was and whether you're a repeat offender and a flight risk, a bond ("bail") may be set which would avoid a stay in jail for the time being. 

Your cell block may be pretty confined, there's typically little *rec* time, none to very little visitation apart from meeting with your attorney, and if, it's through plexiglass glass and phones just like in the movies.

Due to the short stays there's a high turnover in jails, it's overcrowded, people are coming and going, many of them are coming off drugs, the tension level is very high, people are irritated, angry and anxious.

All you basically do there is to wait for your trial where you will be given your sentence. If the sentence is "time in prison" that's where you go.

Prisons are run by the State or the Federal Government - I'll talk about that in a minute.

When you first get to prison you go to a classification prison (Reception Diagnostic Center) where they assess your record, your crime(s), your amount of time, your age and education as well as your medical status. 

Then it gets fancy - you get your jumpsuit. They are color coded and may vary from prison to prison:

• Dark red: supermax, or "worst of the worst"
• Red: high-risk
• Khaki or yellow: low-risk
• White: segregation unit or in specific cases, death row inmates
• Green or blue: low-risk inmates on work detail (e.g. kitchen, cleaning, laundry, mail)
• Orange: unspecific, commonly used for any status in some prisons
• Black/orange and white stripes: unspecific, commonly used for any status in some prisons
• Pink: used for special punishment in some prisons (exposing themselves to female staff)

Time is going to pass faster in prison than in jail because (depending on your security level) you'll be able to move around more freely, have access to people: there's gambling and tattooing going on, you may attend classes and church services, and be allowed to "contact visits" meaning you may actually hug your loved ones for the first time in a long time!

A few word on security levels:

Level 1-3: low level

There is more freedom, you live in open dorm housing units, along with up to 100 inmates, many of them have their release date coming up, and they don't want to mess that up, so they try to behave. You may think there's a lot more recreation time to play sports? Maybe not: they make you worki outside, cleaning up ditches. 
Security: see-through fences, you get to see freedom - but it also makes you think about escaping.

Level 4-5: high level 

You're locked in single or double cell blocks, there are high levels of gang activities and violence going on, inmates have weapons, prisoners know they're not getting out, so they have nothing to lose. 
Security: multiple layers of walls, concertina wires and fences prevent you from even noticing where you are located at.

Another difference within the prison system is whether you serve at a State or Federal prison. How are they different?

Location
Federal prisoners could be sent anywhere in the country whereas individuals sentenced to state prison weaver their sentences in the state where they were convicted. 

Management Federal prisons are perceived as better run. The Federal Bureau of Prisons receive more funding and thus tend to have better food, facilities and education programs that will help you move on with your life once you're getting out: GED, plumbing, engine repairs and things like this. 
State prison systems are reliant on state taxes for their budget and are often perceived as underfunded and poorly managed. State prisons also have industries where offenders work and make furniture, license plates, calls on behalf of the government (really! If you ever get a call from someone who reminds you to go and vote, it may be your friendly killer next town!)

Visitation

In state prisons the length of your visits are usually limited to 3 or 4 hours, whereas in federal prison your visits can be for the entire duration that the visiting room is open.

Type of crimes 

What crime did state prisoners commit? Homicide, rape, kidnapping, assault, most drug crimes, repeated DUIs.
Federal prisoners may have been found guilty of "white collar crimes": bank robbery, being mob or gang members, conspiracy, identity / credit card fraud, corrupt politicians and in general crimes on federal property or crimes that cross state lines such as drug trafficking.

Personal appearance
State need to maintain order, they enforce more more of a military style in terms of personal grooming (think shaving your head, shaving your beard), whereas in federal prison you're welcome to wear a ponytail, a beard and dreadlocks.

Time served

One of the biggest differences between state prisons and federal prisons is the amount of time that you are sentenced to and serve. In most states you're given a sentence, which then usually gets cut in half straight out of the gate and then on top of that you get "good time" - a reduction in sentence by behaving well.

In the federal system, prisoners who, in the judgment of the Bureau of Prisons, have exhibited “exemplary compliance with institutional disciplinary regulations” can get up to 54 days per year off their sentences.

They generally serve 85% of their sentenced time.

Allright, enough of the not so pleasant talk. Let's take a little dance break!

Thank you for reading. Before you leave, here's a "fun" fact: Do you know what Diesel Therapy is? As stated earlier, federal prisons will send you to different locations for weeks at a time,  and they do so using busses powered by Diesel. While in transit you don't have access to phones or mail which results in your family and friends not knowing where you are.

I can tell you were I'll be for the rest of the month: right here, posting, reading and commenting...!  

Speaking of comments: let me know what you would miss the most if you were incarcerated!

See ya tomorrow!

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay