Are you hoping to stay away from the justice system?
Despite your best efforts, living on the straight and narrow can still feel like an impossible task. Although crime rates have gone down, your chances of dealing with the court system are higher than ever before.
You may even find yourself wondering whether you need a lawyer, or if you should post bail. And many don’t realize they can be sentenced to county jail vs prison, even for a minor offense.
But how do you know if you’re getting into legal trouble? Keep reading to find out! Let’s get into it!
What Is Country Jail?
These establishments are operated and managed by local or county officials. They are intended to house short-term inmates who are awaiting trial, or convicted of a more minor offense. Generally, inmates at these facilities will serve a maximum of a year.
Additionally, they are typically less secure than prisons and the living conditions are more relaxed as opposed to harsher controlled prison conditions. They also offer more freedom and amenities which include:
- More visitation rights
- Conjugal programs for married couples
- Outside facilities to exercise
- Better living conditions
Furthermore, since jails are usually smaller, the staff is less experienced in handling more serious and dangerous criminals. All in all, county jails are for shorter-term confinement, lesser restrictions, and lower punishments
What Is Prison?
A prison is a bureau or institution under the jurisdiction of the state or federal government. It is a correctional facility for people who have been convicted and sentenced to serve time for more serious crimes such as:
- Murder
- Assault
- Kidnapping
- Arson
- Rape or other sexual offense
- Drug trafficking
In addition, the cells are larger with more inmates, higher security, and longer-term sentences than a county jail. These are used to house convicted felons and inmates with serious criminal histories that make it a danger to keep them in county jail.
Furthermore, prisoners in prison can expect programs like vocational training to prepare them for life after their incarceration. Ultimately, the prison environment is more inhumane than a jail and often has much stricter consequences for misbehavior.
Exploring the Physical Characteristics of a Prison vs Jail
The physical characteristics of these two can vary when looking at location, size, and overall amenities for prisoners. Some county jails are located in rural areas whereas larger prisons can be in any region and are usually state-run.
Additionally, county jails are much smaller in size with their walls often made of brick, steel, or concrete. Prisons, however, are:
- Much larger
- Often with high fences
- Multiple levels and wings
- More locking mechanisms
In addition, country jails tend to have fewer resources and are not usually equipped with electronically secured doors or windows. On the other hand, prisons will often have guard towers, surveillance cameras, and multiple CCTVs for monitoring inmates.
Finally, while jails are usually designed to only hold prisoners for short periods, prisons are often more secure, designed to hold inmates for longer terms.
Comparing the Sentence Lengths
In county jail, the sentences are usually short, lasting anywhere from a few days to a few months. Sentences in prison, however, are much longer and involve a year or more in custody. Inmates in jail may also be entitled to:
- Release on parole
- Probation
- Other early-release programs
On the contrary, inmates in jail serve their sentences in a local facility, whereas they may be transferred to a facility outside of their local area. Furthermore, defendants charged with a felony can be sent to a county jail to await trial in some cases.
Even so, those accused of major felony offenses are usually sent directly to a state prison. In addition, individuals serving time in a county jail are usually granted certain liberties that are not available in prison like the right to vote and go free on weekends.
As a result, counties can offer more lenient sentencing, pre-trial programs, and house arrest. After all, Jail and Inmate Search services exist for each, to keep family and friends up to date on the whereabouts of their loved ones.
Analyzing the Security Levels
The security levels between county jails and prisons are quite different. County jails are much more relaxed and less of a secure environment than a prison.
They typically offer fewer amenities than a prison and the access to medical care is lower due to the smaller population and more limited resources. Also, jail inmates have significant contact with staff, unlike in prisons where they are largely isolated from staff.
In addition, county jails often have lesser security protocols like allowing inmates freedom of movement and access to telephones or other communication devices. Yet, prisons have a higher security level, with stronger and more restrictive security protocols.
Moreover, those in prisons have more limited access to personal belongings, and in some cases, no contact with staff at all. The security levels have evolved over the years, with county jails providing more lenient security, while prisons become increasingly more restrictive.
Looking at Inmate Socialization and Release Programs
County jails typically offer fewer socialization and release programs than prisons. Additionally, they come with limited strategies for inmates to prepare for reentry into society.
Prisons, on the other hand, provide a variety of socialization and release programs for inmates that include:
- Job counseling
- Family reunification training
- Substance abuse counseling
- Transitional housing resources
These programs are designed to create a supportive environment for the inmates and help them prepare for a successful come back into the community. In county jails, programs are often focused on:
- Providing education
- Aiding reintegration into society
- Creating stronger interpersonal skills
However, programs are quite limited due to a lack of funds as they are largely reliant upon the local government for their budget. That said, the idea of successful reintegration into society is the key focus while in county jail.
A Guide to the Key Differences Between County Jail vs Prison
County jail vs prison is two very different systems of confinement. County j offers temporary incarceration for minor charges while prisons offer extended sentences and tougher security for serious charges.
Understanding their dissimilarities are important for those going to jail. If you or someone you know is facing an arrest, contact a criminal lawyer for advice.
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