Date of Award
Fall 12-2011
Degree Type
Masters Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Criminal Justice
School
Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, and Security
Committee Chair
Wes Johnson
Committee Chair Department
Criminal Justice
Committee Member 2
Hayden Griffin
Committee Member 2 Department
Criminal Justice
Committee Member 3
Philip Carlan
Committee Member 3 Department
Criminal Justice
Abstract
Super-maximum security prisons have flourished within a political environment that endorses tougher criminal sanctions. This punitive evolution has created new problems for correctional agencies attempting to control the “worst of the worst” inmates. Federal courts and researchers have examined the detrimental effects supermax isolation has on inmates’ mental health. This analysis examines forty-two state supermax policies to determine how states admit inmates to supermax custody, the classification review process, the management of inmates with mental illnesses, and the availability of privileges for supermax inmates. Drawing on the concept of the McDonaldization of Justice (Ritzer, 1993), particular attention is given to understanding the role of official policy and procedures on managing problematic inmates. Guided by previous research on supermax penitentiaries, the correctional policies have been aggregated regionally to provide insight into geographical differences for the operation of supermax units. Policy implications for establishing more inclusive and thorough rules and regulations for the admission, review, and management of supermax units are discussed.
Copyright
2011, Harry Daniel Butler
Recommended Citation
Butler, Harry Daniel, "State Super-Maximum Security Policies: An Examination of Admission Characteristics, Classification Reviews, Mental Health Amenities, and Inmate Privileges" (2011). Master's Theses. 248.
https://aquila.usm.edu/masters_theses/248