Week 1a:  History of Penology

 

Reading:

• Blomberg & Lucken, Chapters 2, 3, 4, and 5
• Latessa et al., Chapters 1 and 3
• Rothman, Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, and 9
• Johnson, Chapter 1

 

Chapter 1 (not required) of the Blomberg & Lucken text primes the reader with a discussion of theoretical models employed by penologists to guide in the understanding of correctional punishment and reform efforts throughout history.  The authors introduce three models employed throughout the text:  (1) the economic/class conflict model, (2) the march of progress/social order model, and (3) the social context model.  The economic/class conflict model explains correctional reform efforts as the result of the upper class exploiting the lower class.  The selection by Spierenburg in Latessa et al. traces the development of criminal justice in Western Europe utilizing the economic/class conflict approach.  The march of progress/social order model explains correctional reform efforts as the result of the humane progression penologist take when the lessons of existing reform failures become evident.  The social context model acknowledges that elements of both the economic/class conflict and march of progress/social order model are relevant in explaining reform efforts throughout history.

 

Chapter 2 of Blomberg & Lucken begins with a discussion of punishment in Europe during ancient society and the Middle Ages, and concludes with an overview of Mercantilist England.  The discussion of ancient society stresses the brutal and public nature of the blood feud.  Prior to the Middle Ages, the first penal codes were developed, and the use of third parties (judges) in settling disputes began.  Often, there were different provisions for the upper and lower classes.  Several types of punishments were employed during the Middle Ages.  Examples included fines for members of the upper class, and brutal punishments (i.e., mutilation) for members of the lower class.  After the middle ages, the growth in manufacturing and trade led to the rise of capitalism, and hence the middle class.  During this time period, mutilation and death were not conducive to the labor needs of communities and towns.  Hence, punishments such as the workhouse and transportation to the American Colonies flourished.

 

Below are some guiding questions to aid in understanding Chapter 2 in Blomberg & Lucken:

What forms of social control were practiced in ancient society?

• When did the use of judges begin?

o       When did the first penal codes come into existence?

·        Middle Ages:

o       How did the Catholic Church punish offenders?

o       How did secular punishments differ from those used by the Catholic Church?

·        What social conditions caused concern in Mercantilist England?

o       What punishments were used for controlling the lower class?

 

Chapter 3, 4, and 5 in the Blomberg & Lucken text trace punishment and reform efforts from Colonial America through the end of the 19^th Century.  Perhaps more clearly than the material in Chapter 2, the reader is able to understand correctional practices of each respective time period by examining the dominant ideologies, thoughts about the causes of crime, and demographic characteristics of communities.  For example, a demonological approach to understanding ideology/causes of crime is taken in Colonial America.  Coupled with the tight-knit nature of communities, it is easy to understand the incapacitative nature of many punishments employed during this time.  Examples include mutilation and death.  However, as cities began to grow and develop, and theoretical perspectives of crime shifted to that of social determinism, reform (not punishment) efforts began to take shape.  At this time we have the birth of the penitentiary in the United States.  The selection by Sellin in Latessa et al. provides an in-depth discussion of the use of confinement as punishment during this time period.  Sellin’s analysis of this reform development is contextualized within the economic/class conflict model.

 

Chapter 1 of Johnson provides the reader with an excellent overview of why it is important to study corrections, specifically the nature of prisons.   Furthermore, this discussion concludes with an analysis of how history can inform our understanding of current correctional problems and issues.  What role does the prison play in today’s society?  What led to the growth of confinement in early history?  In covering key points in penological history and relating them to current correctional issues, Johnson’s discussion supplements the discussion of the birth of the penitentiary by Blomberg & Lucken in Chapter 5, and the selection by Sellin in the Latessa et al. text.

 

Below are some guiding questions to aid in understanding Chapter 3, 4, and 5 in Blomberg & Lucken: