Walden University Supermax Prisons Discussion

A supermax prison is a maximum-security facility that houses the most dangerous criminal offenders. Inmates such as Zacarias Moussaoui (9/11 attacks), Dzhokhar Tsarnaev (Boston Marathon bomber), and Ted Kaczynski (Unabomber) are confined to small, concrete cells for 23 hours per day with very little human contact. Supporters of supermax prisons argue that extensive measures must be taken to punish and protect the public against the most violent and dangerous criminals. Critics argue that supermax prisons are too expensive to build and maintain and that conditions are inhumane.

In this Discussion, you will consider arguments for and against the use of supermax prisons.

Post a response that addresses the following:

Provide an argument for or against the use of supermax prisons. In your argument, be sure to consider the following issues related to the use of supermax prisons:

• The safety of the public, prison employees, and the general inmate population
• The control and order over inmates in the prisons
• The conditions and punishments in the prisons
• The rehabilitation of inmates, their successful reentry into the community, and their likelihood of recidivating
• The costs of building and managing the prisons