Ace the 2026 Basic Corrections Officer Exam – Unlock Your Badge-Ready Future!

Administrative segregation is utilized primarily for security purposes within the correctional system. This type of segregation is often employed to protect the safety of inmates, staff, and the general population within the facility. It can be enacted for several reasons, such as preventing gang violence, protecting vulnerable inmates, or managing inmates who may pose a risk to others due to their behavior or affiliations.

By focusing on security needs rather than punishment, administrative segregation serves to maintain order and safety within the correctional environment. In contrast, punitive isolation involves formal procedures designed to impose punishment for rule violations. This type of isolation generally aims to discipline the inmate for specific behaviors and is associated with the correctional facility's overall disciplinary process.

Recognizing the fundamental distinctions between these two forms of confinement is crucial for understanding how correctional facilities manage inmate behavior and ensure the safety of the institution as a whole.