Prisons, Military and Authoritarianism

Authoritarianism describes a form of social control characterized by strict obedience to the authority of a state or organization, often maintaining and enforcing control through the use of oppressive measures. Authoritarian regimes are strongly hierarchical.

In an authoritarian form of government, citizens are subject to state authority in many aspects of their lives, including many that other political philosophies would see as matters of personal choice. There are various degrees of authoritarianism; even very democratic and liberal states will show authoritarianism to some extent, for example in areas of national security.

Authoritarian regimes grant wide powers to law enforcement agencies; in the extreme this leads to a police state. Authoritarian regimes may or may not have a rule of law. In the former case laws are enacted and though they may seem intrusive, unjust or excessive, they are applied to common people. In the latter case laws do not exist or are routinely ignored — government actions follow the judgments or whims of officials.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authoritarianism



Foucault then details the age of torture.  He states during this time the right to punish was directly connected to the authority of the King.  Crimes committed during this time were not crimes against the public good, but a personal affront to the King himself.  The public displays of torture and execution were public affirmations of the King’s authority to rule and to punish.
 
As public tortures and executions continued, the people subjected to torture became heroes, especially if the punishment was too excessive for the crime committed.  The convicted person was given a chance to speak prior to the execution.  This gave him an opportunity to repent for his crimes, but often it was used as an occasion to speak against the throne and the executioners.  On many occasions the crowds gathered around to view the event would riot against the executioner, stopping the event from continuing.
 
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Prisons became more than just places were liberty was deprived; they were places where discipline could be instilled.  Discipline was a drive to instill useful, social qualities into the convicts.  It was an attempt to reform the criminal so upon his release, he would be less likely to re-offend and more likely to be a contributing member of society.
 
The discipline that prisons tried to install in criminals was similar to the discipline in military units.  The basic idea of discipline is that one will be rewarded for achievement, and be punished for lack of achievement or non-conformity.  Forcing the prisoners to live and work under strict guidelines instilled discipline.  The prisoners were forced to “constructively” use every minute that they were awake.  This was social training to prepare criminals for a life of productivity when released.

http://www.criminology.fsu.edu/crimtheory/foucault.htm