Administrative Segregation

Administrative segregation has evolved throughout the history of incarceration. From the practice of solitary confinement used to punish inmates to putting them in the “hole,” administrative segregation takes on a new role in the operation of jails and prisons. What are the modern uses of administrative segregation in a prison system? Does administrative segregation serve a useful purpose? Why or why not?
The concept of administrative segregation grew out of the practice of solitary confinement, which prison administrators began using in the nineteenth century along with many other methods to punish particularly troublesome prisoners. By the beginning of the twentieth century, prison authorities had eliminated most of the other crueler forms of punishment but continued to confine prisoners in solitary or the hole as the major form of punishment for rule breaking.
Now modern uses of administrative segregation, the purpose of administrative segregation is to keep an inmate from associating with the general inmate population. Administrative segregation units are very different. These units’ prison administrators have total physical control over all aspects of inmate behavior for extended periods of time often two to five years.
Inmates assigned to such housing areas spend twenty-two to twenty-three hours a day in their single, 60-by 80-square-foot, high- security barren cells with minimal access to educational, religious, or other self help programs.
The amount of reading material is extremely limited and controlled as well as basic amenities. The front of the cell is often closed with a solid-steel-plate door with a slot to send food, mail, and other items provided by the prison.
Inmates is removed for a shower, visit, or recreation, he or she must kneel down with his or her back to the door and place both hands through the cell door slot so they can be handcuffed.
When allowed out for “recreation,” imamates are escorted to small and self- contained...