The Auburn System

The Auburn System was a prison model developed in the 19th century that emphasized strict discipline, silence, and prisoner labor. Inmates were kept isolated during the night but worked and ate together during the day under close supervision, often in silence. The goal was to encourage inmates’ moral reform through discipline and hard work, rather than through punishment or physical restraint alone. This approach aimed to instill self-control and discipline, reducing idleness and unrest. The Auburn System influenced prison design and practices worldwide, emphasizing order, routine, and personal responsibility as means of rehabilitation.