Prisons and Public Scrutiny: An Open or Closed System?

• In Event: State Prisons & Legal Change

Abstract

Over the last two decades, the broader public has directed criticism at each stage of the criminal justice system, including policing, courts, and corrections. However, while research suggests that some behaviors of police and courts, which are relatively “open” systems, are influenced by media reporting, it is less clear whether prisons, which are relatively more “closed” systems, are similarly impacted by public scrutiny. This study examines longitudinal trends in media reporting about a state prison system and its potential influence on management, safety policies, and procedures.

Authors

• Grace Meyer, University of Cincinnati

• Joshua Cochran, University of Cincinnati

• John Wooldredge, University of Cincinnati

• Claudia Anderson, Florida State University