Introduction
An individual goes through several procedures when he/she gets into prison. These procedures include correctional, organizational, and administrative.
The receiving process
The booking process involves procedures such as recording the name of the suspect and the reasons for the arrest. Police would then take a mug shot for records. This step also helps in determining whether any other individuals with same name as the one arrested are registered in the police database. The next step involves taking personal property and clothing of the suspect for safe custody by the police. The officers then scan the fingerprints of the suspect and the information is noted down in the police database. The suspect then undergoes a thorough full body search, which at times may involves stripping as a caution against any drugs or weapons being brought into the custody or prison (Bergman and Berman 13). The officers then check with their records or files to determine if the suspect has any other pending charges to determine whether the suspect qualifies for a bail. They carry out tests on the suspect to detect any sensitive infections or diseases as a way of protecting other inmates and prison officers against communicable infections. A DNA sample test is required at times.
Release process
Release of prisoners occurs after going through corrective measures. They would return all the prison uniforms that they posses and get the clothes they were putting on during the arrest back. The suspects would then sign for the clothes returned to them as a confirmation for receipt. They also sign any other relevant documents before release after which, they would be escorted to the reception or waiting area.
Correctional Environmental Function
Carefully chosen locations within the prison have closed circuit television cameras to help the officers identify any prisoner who may break any policies or rules. Federal prisons also regularly do drug tests to prisoners by taking samples from their saliva, sweat, urine, and hair. This may be either voluntarily or forced. Some of the methods used in prisons include biometrics, which uses the technology of detecting the prisoners’ fingerprints, retinas, among other parts of the body. Very high frequency radios track the whereabouts of prisoners through communication between officers whenever the need arises. The prison officers also ensure they detect and confiscate any weapons or objects from prisoners to avoid any harm that may occur. Prisoners and their visitors go through serious search using metal detectors to prevent any use of weapons against guards or prisoners.
Carrying out of regular searches at any time and place within the prison is a common practice to find out any illegal item that could have been smuggled into the prison. Separation of prisoners considered more dangerous into special sections also occur in prisons (Gendreau and Kuhns 11).The officers open and search all letters delivered to the prisoners and in some cases read them. This prevents discussion of any suspicious activity, directly or in coded language. There is emphasis on the use of both punishments and rewards in managing the behaviors of inmates. The rewards are used more to encourage positive behavior. Punishment of the prisoners is used with the aim of correcting their bad habits and behaviors. The prisons need finances so that their many operations can run smoothly without hitches after they leave prison. They must have budgets and financial policies to ensure they have support and accommodation after the release not to get involved in criminal activities, such as robbery. Most of the funding usually comes from the state (Gendreau and Kuhns 88).
Works Cited
Bergman, Paul, and Sara Berman. The Criminal Law Handbook. Nolo, 2013. Print.
Gendreau, Paul, Shelley. J. Listwan, and Joseph.B Kuhns. Managing Prisons Effectively: The Potential of Contingency Management Programs. Ottawa: Public Safety Canada, 2011. Print.