What characterized the early American jail system?

The early American jail system was primarily characterized by inhumane treatment involving torture and confinement methods. During this period, the focus was not on rehabilitation or rehabilitation programs, but rather on punishment. Facilities were often overcrowded, unsanitary, and lacked basic needs for inmates. The conditions were designed to inflict suffering and control behavior rather than support reintegration into society.

This harsh approach reflected prevailing attitudes toward crime and punishment at the time, where the perception of justice revolved around retribution rather than reform. The punitive approach set the foundation for later reforms as society began to recognize the need for more humane treatment and effective rehabilitation methods within the correctional system.