Everything Everywhere Daily Prisons and Jails
Nov 25, 2024
Explore the surprising history of prisons and jails, revealing their relatively recent emergence as punishment tools. Discover how primitive societies approached justice and the impracticality of incarceration. Learn about the evolution from workhouses in 16th century England to the rise of modern supermax facilities. Delve into reformative ideas from Enlightenment thinkers and contemporary debates surrounding the purpose of prisons. This fascinating journey highlights society's changing attitudes toward punishment throughout history.
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Ancient Punishments
- Incarceration as punishment is a modern concept, absent throughout most of history.
- Ancient societies prioritized restitution, physical punishments, banishment, slavery, or death.
Jails vs. Prisons
- Jails are for temporary holding before trial or short sentences, unlike prisons designed for long-term punishment.
- Historically, jails existed for pre-trial detention, not as punishment itself.
Medieval Dungeons
- Medieval dungeons primarily held political prisoners or those awaiting ransom, not common criminals.
- These spaces were often parts of castles, not dedicated punishment facilities.