How were the New York and Pennsylvania models different from each other? What did critics on both sides have to say about the two models? Do you think one model was more effective and why?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

In 1816, New York built the Auburn Prison, which became known as the congregate system as most prisoners ate and worked in groups. Prisoners were divided into three classes. One group remained continually in solitary confinement as a result of breaches of prison discipline, the second was allowed labor as an occasional form of recreation, and the third and largest worked together during the day and was separated only at night. The philosophy of the Auburn system was crime prevention through fear of punishment and silent confinement. Originally, this meant that some inmates were kept in continual solitary confinement, but this practice led to mental breakdowns, suicides, and self-mutilation and was abolished in 1823. After that, inmates were kept in separate cells at night but worked together during the day in enforced silence. The Pennsylvania system abolished classifications of prisoners because prisoners were each placed in a single cell for the duration of their sentence, and that cell was intended as a miniature prison that would keep the inmates from contaminating each other. Prisoners were kept in solitary confinement almost constantly and were allowed out about one hour a day for exercise. This system reflected religious influence as solitary confinement was meant to be a place to do penance. Debates over the two systems arose. Auburn advocates claimed that it was the cheapest and most productive way to reform prisoners and criticized the Pennsylvania system as cruel and inhumane. On the other hand, Pennsylvania advocates argued that their system was quiet, efficient, humane, and well-ordered and accused the Auburn system of being a breeding place for criminal association. New York's congregate model eventually prevailed and spread throughout the United States. Student answers about which model they find most effective and why will vary.