Prison System Comparison The purpose of state prisons and federal prisons is to confine offenders who commit an illegal act (breaking the law) against society. State prisons are for offenders who commit a criminal act or acts within that particular state. The federal prisons are for offenders who commit white-collar crimes, for political criminals, illegal aliens, and such. Both the state prisons and the federal prisons have different levels of security, depending on the crime committed and the seriousness of the crime- causing physical harm to someone or self, murder, rape, drug trafficking, and so on. The state prisons and the federal prisons considers the institutional needs of each inmate, called the initial classification, a determination on the level of security an inmate needs. Classification “determines what prison he will be sent to, what security level he will be housed in, what his work assignment will be, and what programs he will be allowed to take part in,” (Foster, 2006, p. 160). State prisons hold the majority of inmates compared to that of the federal prisons, at various levels of security. These levels of security include open security facilities to super-maximum security prison, differing slightly between the state prisons and the federal prisons. Both the state and the federal prisons deal with overcrowdings and inmates and staff suffer with safety and health issues. Because of the “War on Drugs,” more, and more people are sent to prison serving longer prison terms, which in turn increases the prisons population. In addition to the increase are the parole violators and the violent criminals Starting back in 1785, prisons were to incorporate “principles of isolation, work, and penitence to change the nature of confinement,” (Foster, 2006, p. 120). Through the reform eras, state prisons have upgraded to better lighting, better management of prison labor, and developed work camps for prisoners. As of today, the expansion of prisons increased as the population of inmates increased. Such expansions was to include facilities for women, juveniles, and drug addicts among other, in addition to those of less serious crimes to the most serious of crimes. This expansion included security levels to impose on inmates of certain crimes. The security levels for state prisons are as followed: Super-maximum security prison- this is the highest level of security, for those who are a high security risk such as a threat to international and national security, or dangerous to the world on the outside (and inside), to name a couple. These inmates are in single cell solitaire confinement 23 hours a day with about an hour in the exercise yard alone. The inmates have minimal contact with others and are under surveillance at all times.
Maximum security prisons- this is the second highest level of security, similar to that of the super maximum security prisons. It has the lowest inmate to guard ratio, and it houses prisoners who are the most dangerous to the community, prison staffing, and other inmates. Inmates are in his or her cell for 23 hours a day with around an hour to exercise and shower. The Prisoners are highly under surveillance at this level as like the super maximum level.
Close-High security prisons- this level of security is less restrictive than that of the maximum security level. This facility is double-fenced with watch towers and gun men. Although the movement of inmates is minimal, he or she is allowed out of the cell to work, attend programs, shower, and exercise.
Medium security prisons- these facilities have dormitory like cells, sharing with numerous of other inmates. Inmates sleep in military like style bunk beds. It has watch towers, gun men, and double fencing, although is less restrictive compared to that of the close-high security prisons with less supervision and control over the internal movements of inmates. Most offenders start out in this security level if not a threat or dangerous to anyone.
Minimum security prisons- this security level prison has single perimeter fencing, no watch towers, or wondering gun men. Also unlike the medium security prison, far less supervision is necessary. These inmates pose the least amount of risk to public safety. Inmates participate in community work assignments and prelease transition programs, to name a few.
Open security facilities- this facility is somewhat like the minimum security prison, better known as a halfway house, work release centers, or other types of community-based facility. No armed guards or fencing are within this facility. If a prisoner tries to leave or escape, he or she is sent to a maximum security prison as an escape risk.
The state prison system “agree that only about 15 to 20 percent of prisoners require maximum-security; the rest do fine with less,” (Foster, 2006, p. 125). Each state prison is slightly different from one another when determining which level of security to confine an inmate too. The newer prisons are smaller, more relaxed, and the design is more modern as well as the amenities.
In the past, inmates who committed a federal crime were put in a state prison facility. As federal crime rose, so did the overcrowdings of state prisons. Because of the overcrowding issues, a federal prison opened up for those who committed a federal crime. As time has passed, more, and more federal prisons opened up. The levels of security, very similar to the state prisons’ levels, are as followed:
Minimum security prisons- this is a federal prison camp for those who commit less serious crimes and is not a dangerous risk to others or self. This federal prison level is similar to the state minimum security level prisons.
Low security prisons- these prisons have double fencing and similar to dormitory like housing units, also similar to that of the state medium security level prison
Medium security prisons- these prisons have cell housings, more internal control over inmates, and stronger perimeters. This prison is similar to the states close-high security prisons.
High security prisons- again this prison is similar to the states maximum security prison. This prison has around the clock guards, and the inmates are more of a risk to others. Inmates have little to no interaction with others, in confinement most of the day.
Administrative security- this prison includes those of special inmates- illegal aliens, medical cases, and so on, which houses the highest security threat inmates. This federal security level is similar to the states maximum security or super maximum security level prisons.
Those who have committed a federal crime such as white-collar crimes or drug trafficking, serve more time behind bars, limiting the use of probation. For good time behavior, “federal inmates now serve 85 percent of their actual sentencing, getting no more than a 15 percent sentence reduction for good behavior,” (Foster, 2006, p. 140). Comparing the federal prisons to the state’s prisons, federal prisons have less violent criminals versus those who commit robbery, kidnapping, murder, and so on, in the state prisons. Federal prisons consist of white-collar criminals and political criminals whereas state prisons do not deal with them.

Reference
Foster, B. (2006). Corrections: The Fundamentals. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.