Which feature is NOT characteristic of the Auburn System?

Which feature is NOT characteristic of the Auburn System?

• A. Panoptical design
• B. Congregate labor
• C. Lockstep marching
• D. Classification of prisoners

Answer: (A)

The thing this item is testing is knowing which prison approach is associated with Auburn versus the idea of constant, individual surveillance. The Auburn System is dominated by silent, congregate labor in a shared space and tight, uniform discipline, which is why features like working in groups and marching in lockstep fit. It relies on discipline and organized labor in a common setting, not on a layout designed for constant individual observation. The panoptical design—the circular or central-observation setup intended for watching prisoners individually at all times—is not characteristic of Auburn; that design is more closely linked to systems emphasizing solitary confinement and continuous surveillance. So, the feature that does not fit Auburn is the panoptical design.

The thing this item is testing is knowing which prison approach is associated with Auburn versus the idea of constant, individual surveillance. The Auburn System is dominated by silent, congregate labor in a shared space and tight, uniform discipline, which is why features like working in groups and marching in lockstep fit. It relies on discipline and organized labor in a common setting, not on a layout designed for constant individual observation. The panoptical design—the circular or central-observation setup intended for watching prisoners individually at all times—is not characteristic of Auburn; that design is more closely linked to systems emphasizing solitary confinement and continuous surveillance. So, the feature that does not fit Auburn is the panoptical design.