Product Code Database
In criminal justice, particularly in North America, correction, corrections, and correctional, are describing a variety of functions typically carried out by government agencies, and involving the punishment, therapy, and supervisor of persons who have been conviction of . (2025). 9781412937733, Sage. ISBN 9781412937733 These functions commonly include imprisonment, parole, and probation.Bryan A. Garner, editor, Black's Law Dictionary, 9th ed., West Group, 2009, , 0-314-19949-7, p. 396 (or p. 424 depending on the volume) A typical correctional institution is a prison. A correctional system, also known as a penal system, thus refers to a network of agencies that administer a jurisdiction's prisons, and community-based programs like parole, and probation boards. Correctional system is defined as "a network of governmental agencies that administer a jurisdiction's prisons, and parole system" in Bryan A. Garner, editor, Black's Law Dictionary, 9th ed., West Group, 2009, , p. 396, which does not define "penal system".
Blomberg and Lucken (2010) describe the post-1940 penal system in the United States as composed of "prisons, reformatories, parole, probation, juvenile courts ?, local jails, and a declining number of workhouses", and with added detail that "however the main focus of the system was on expanding and differentiating prisons, parole, and probation" in
Stohr et al., p. 1 distinguish prisons from community-based correctional programs like parole and probation. This system is part of the larger criminal justice system, which additionally includes police, prosecution and .
"Corrections" is also the name of a field of academic study concerned with the theories, policies, and programs pertaining to the practice of corrections. Its object of study includes personnel training and management as well as the experiences of those on the other side of the fence — the unwilling subjects of the correctional process. Stohr and colleagues (2008) write that "Earlier scholars were more honest, calling what we now call corrections by the name penology, which means the study of punishment for crime." (2025). 9781412937733, Sage. ISBN 9781412937733
From 1929 the USSR started using the terminology Gulag () and "corrective labor colonies" ().
The terminology change in US academia from "penology" to "corrections" occurred in the 1950s and 1960s which was driven by a new philosophy emphasizing rehabilitation. It was accompanied by concrete changes in some prisons, like giving more privileges to inmates, and attempting to instill a more communal atmosphere. At least nominally, most prisons became "correctional institutions", and guards became "correctional officers". Although the corrections-related terminology continued thereafter in US correctional practice, the philosophical view on offenders' treatment took an opposite turn in the 1980s, when academics labeled the "get tough" program as "The New Penology".
Community Based Corrections can focus on both of adults and juveniles, attempting to rehabilitate them back into the community. In contrary to the "tough on crime" mindset which expresses harsh punishment, this community based correctional method seeks to transition offenders back into the community.
Intermediate sanctions may include sentences to a halfway house or community service program, home confinement, and electronic monitoring. Additional sanctions may be financial and may include fines, Asset forfeiture, and restitution; these are sometimes applied in combination.
Many facilities operating in the United States adhere to particular correctional theories. Although often heavily modified, these theories determine the nature of the facilities' design and security operations. The two primary theories used today are the more traditional Remote Supervision and the more contemporary direct supervision model. In the Remote Supervision Model, officers observe the inmate population from remote positions, e.g., towers or secure desk areas. The Direct Supervision Model positions within the inmate population, creating a more pronounced presence.
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