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Debunking the Myths of American Corrections: An Exploratory Analysis

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Abstract

This article briefly reviews the literature on the myths of corrections and then identifies sixteen of the most prominent misrepresentations about jails, prisons, correctional workers, and convicts in the United States. It then systematically examines the reality of each. The article uses scholarly research, governmental and news reports, and personal experience of former inmates to cast doubt on many of the myths that have been developed. It argues that most of the misrepresentations about corrections can be called into question.

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Notes

  1. Many young African-American and Hispanic men believe that incarceration is an inevitable life stage that they must experience first hand.

  2. Indeed, if the sample of research was expanded to more scholarly sources, there would probably be more myths. The author recognizes that not all myths have been identified, but this review captures the most important ones.

  3. Some members of the public believe that those who are incarcerated are guilty. This may be a fruitful area for follow-up research, but I could not track down any peer reviewed articles supporting this point.

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Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Catherine Leidemer, Greg Newbold, Dawn L. Rothe, and Phil Stinson and the anonymous reviewers for this journal for comments on this paper.

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  1. School of Criminal Justice, College of Criminal Justice, Center for Comparative and International Law, University of Baltimore, 1420 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA

    Jeffrey Ian Ross

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Ross, J.I. Debunking the Myths of American Corrections: An Exploratory Analysis. Crit Crim 20, 409–427 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10612-012-9158-z

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