A World Apart

A World Apart

CJS230

8/29/2010

A World Apart

In this paper we will compare the correctional system of Australia with the correctional system of the United States. We will cover types of institutions, population, prison life, rehabilitation programs, probation, parole, and community corrections.

The United States has both a state and federal prison system. The state prison system was established in the early 1800’s. The state system is comprised of smaller prisons that hold most of the inmates. The federal prison system is dated back to the 1890’s. It was not until 1930 when president Hoover signed a bill establishing a federal prison system that would actually start the building of actual federal facilities (Gil, 2010).

The Westminster System is what is used in Australia. The systems consist of the law enforcement agencies, the Directors of Public Prosecutions, the courts, the correction services, and the oversight agencies (Wood, 2007). The participants in the Westminster system are independent of each other. Within reason no agency can direct another when it comes to their performance. There are no federal prisons.

United States prisons are managed by either a private entity or the government. Private companies are under contract to the government to provide housing, meals, medical, and rehabilitation programs. Private companies are used to reduce the cost of housing inmates. Government run facilities are more costly to operate because they are normally staffed differently that a privately run company.

Australian prisons are run by the government and private entities. Australia has the highest proportion of inmates in private prisons of any nation. Most correctional systems have an appointed official visitor that hears inmate’s complaints and oversees prison conditions. The official visitor gives interviews to staff and inmates, deals with complaints, and reports their findings to the...