Final answer:
The Warehousing Era focused on the labor of convicts in prisons, acting as a contrast to rehabilitative models. Discussion about the treatment of inmates is longstanding and politically charged, with recent attention on the growth of the prison-industrial complex.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Warehousing Era in the correctional model is characterized by a system that prioritized the containment and control of inmates over rehabilitation or reformation. Institutions during this period were often focused on using the labor of convicts as a form of punishment and societal benefit. This approach to corrections is a stark contrast to earlier reformist ideas, where penitentiaries aimed to transform criminals into law-abiding citizens through hard work, religious instruction, and isolation. The period also saw a move away from debtor's prisons, and instead the introduction of workhouses to address poverty-related issues, and asylums for the mentally ill.
Throughout history, there has been debate over the criminal justice system with regard to the treatment of inmates. Some argue for harsher conditions as a deterrent, while others push for fair treatment and effective rehabilitation. This debate has evolved within the context of various political movements, including the 'war on drugs' and the 'law and order' politics that spurred the growth of the prison-industrial complex. This growth is partly attributed to the political and corporate vested interests in maintaining high levels of imprisonment.