Prison Life, Before and After - Research Paper Example

?Prison Life, Before and After USA has one of the largest numbers of prison population in the world as the tough sentencing laws and high crime rates along with record numbers of drug offenders make American prisons overcrowded. Overcrowding has a negative effect on inmate’s mental and general health, and excess stress can trigger a person to commit suicide. Along with prison population, rate of sexual and other form of violence, sexual victimization also increased which costs more on exchequer to hire more guards to maintain law and order. At the same time, rate of recidivism is also said to be high in US as that of two-thirds of released prisoners will be incarcerated within three years for the repeated offence, which reflects the system and effectiveness of rehabilitation program carried out by the prison authority. Recidivism also jeopardizes the social security. The prison industry is now the fastest growing industry in US, where inmates are working for various industries for a pittance which leads to a new form of inhumane exploitation. Educational programs such as vocational training and employment services programs, social programs dealing with poverty, urban development, education, child and health care, faith based programs, and community corrections programs could play an important role in the reduction of recidivism, and helps them to lead good life in future. Introduction The growth of inmates in America’s prisons witnessed an increasing trend during the past three decades as a recent study reported that one in 100 American adults were behind bars, and one in 31 adults were either incarcerated or on probation or parole (Jennifer Laudano, 2001). Incarceration is one of the main forms of punishment or rehabilitation for committing crimes in United States. In total more than 2.2 million people were in jail in U.S.A., while China ranks second, followed by Russia with 870,000 inmates were in prison. United States has one of the largest prison populations and the highest rate of incarceration in the world thanks to the tough sentencing laws, high crime rates and record numbers of drug offenders (James Vicini, 2006). Adding, arrest rate of offenders has been rising faster than the numbers of prisoners who have been released. The United States’ population is 5% of the world's population, but its incarcerated population is 25 %. Ryan King, who is advocating sentencing reform, in an interview said that United States has more punitive criminal justice system than any other countries, and more people were imprisoned for drug law violations than other countries. While providing statistics, he said that drug offenders account for more than 2 million of the 8 million inmates in prison. To cope with this trend, states were spending more than $60 billion on prisons which make it the second fastest growing area of state budgets, trailing behind Medicaid. Prisons are the most expensive option available for authorities to punish offenders as it costs an average of $80 per day to keep an inmate locked up, which is more than 20 times the cost of a day on probation (Marcie, 2010). Prison conditions: As per U.S. bureau of prisons report, along with prison population, violence in prisons also increased which worsens the condition most. Even in the high security prisons, there was an increasing report of violence in recent years, which prompted to push congress last year for more funds by prison authorities to hire more guards to improve prison conditions. Numbers of serious assaults have been decreased in high security jails, but cases of homicides have been increased amongst prisoners (Marcie M, 2010). Higher rate of violent crimes, harsher sentencing practices, particularly for drug and property offenses, mandatory and determinate sentencing, restrictions on judicial discretion are some of the factors responsible for overcrowding in US prisons. Overcrowding has negative effects on inmate’s mental and general health, and on the other hand, excess stress can trigger a person to commit suicide (Jeffrey Ian Ross, 2011). Protecting the community is the prime goal of prisons, but they have now minimal effect on the crime rate. As result, most of prisoners went off committing more crimes when they get out from jail, and re-arrested for criminal offense which jeopardize the social security. Actually, prisons have to work as a rehabilitation center for those who have committed a crime, and have to punish them to transform them into good human beings. But, they do it with unintended cruelty. Unsanitary living conditions, absence of adequate health and medical care in prisons make inmates highly susceptible to life threatening diseases, and often lead to frustration, depression, anger, and more violence. There is a new form of inhumane exploitation in US prisons where inmates are working for various industries for a pittance, which is for businessmen who have invested in the prison industry is like a pot of gold. The prison industry is now becoming one of the fastest growing industries in the United States, and private stockholders who were interested to make money off prisoners' work lobby for longer sentences just to keep up their workforce. Allegations of sexual victimization, incidents of sexual violence are reported to be increased in recent years in US prisons. For an example, Keith DeBlasio, who was sentenced to five years in federal prison for forgery case was repeatedly raped during his first two months of incarceration, and his cellmate threatened to stab him. He had never committed a violent crime, but now he is HIV positive. A similar story was of befell Garrett Cunningham, who was sentenced to Luther unit of the Texas department of criminal justice, was repeatedly raped by a correctional officer (Jeffrey Ian Ross, 2011). Peter Wagner, assistant director of the prison policy initiative, opinioned that, prisons run by private companies cut facilities to increase profit, and violation of constitutional and human rights of prisoners is a common thing. According to him, almost all prisons are overcrowded. Some of them have 33% higher than their capacities (Shaphan Marwah, 2002). Increasing trend of recidivism: In U.S.A., the rate of recidivism is said to be high as that of two-thirds of released prisoners will be incarcerated within three years for the repeated offence. As reports said more than four in ten offenders returning to jail within the span of three years after the release (Jennifer Laudano, 2001). Recidivism is nothing but the percentage of re-arrest of former prisoners for their repeated criminal offence. It is the act of a person repeating an undesirable behavior or criminal activity after they have been treated or trained to extinguish that behavior. Rate of recidivism indicates the system and effectiveness of rehabilitation program carried out by the concerned authority after released inmates from the prison, and is also an indication of role of correctional programs played in integrating prisoners into society. High rate of recidivism jeopardize the public safety, and escalate expenditure on law enforcement and criminal justice as security agencies have to spend more to arrest, prosecute, and incarcerate re?offenders (Lise Mckean & Charles Ransfor, 2004). The rate of recidivism is not equal in all the states in US; instead it varies from state to state. For an example, as per recent available records, Wyoming and Oregon have the lowest overall recidivism rates. On the other hand, Minnesota and California have the highest recidivism rates (Jennifer Laudano, 2001). Re-addiction after the release is a frequent cause of recidivism and is becoming a barrier to obtaining the stable employment. To ensure safety and security for communities, the rate of recidivism should be checked by taking proper steps. Reasons for increasing trend of recidivism: Social programs those who dealing with poverty, urban development, education, child and health care have failed to address the problems of prisoners. Overcrowded prisons and prisons’ conditions failed to address the problems of inmates which contribute to the repeated crimes among prisoners even after their release. Policy makers and public were also paying their contribution towards committing repeated crimes among prisoners. Low levels of education, job skills, and other basic services make offenders to commit more crimes after they were released from jail. Lack of employment experience and stable housing, physical and mental health problems are some of the factors leading to recidivism (Jennifer Laudano, 2001). Cultural difference is one more factors contributing recidivism. Mandatory sentencing laws and the record number of nonviolent drug offenders were contributing a lot for recidivism. Lack of implementation of transformation programs in prisons by jail authorities lead to act of recidivism. Lack of employment opportunities to lead future life for prisoners is another factor contributing to commit repeated crimes. Programs needed to reduce the rate of recidivism: Along with prisons, parole and probation agencies, social service providers and community organizations were play an important role in preventing offenders from committing more crimes once they released from jail. Low levels of education, job skills, and other basic services make offenders to commit more crimes after they were released from jail, which is the problem that needs to be addressed head-on. Educational programs such as vocational training and employment services programs may address the needs of released prisoners to attain the skills to find an employment. Lack of employment experience and stable housing, physical and mental health problems are some of the factors leading to recidivism. Rates of substance abuse and mental illness are much higher among prisoners than common public. Proper treatment could reduce the rate of recidivism. According to report nearly 35-40% of inmates do not receive proper treatment for their mental illness, and an estimated 70-75% of inmates are believed to need substance abuse treatment (Jennifer Laudan, 2001). Faith based programs for prisoners run by faith organizations could also reduce recidivism to some extent. The role of drug courts and mandatory treatment was also play an important role in the reduction of recidivism. Prisons are increasingly being expected to implement many programs to transform prisoners which could reduce recidivism. They could launch more and more programs to train inmates to get job oriented skills which could helps to get them job to lead their future life. Employment opportunities could help them to earn an income to lead their life which in turn supports the integration by increasing stability and self confidence among them. Federal government has to ensure that all prisoners should complete one or more technical training courses. University education has to be incorporated in all prisons. Implementation of community corrections programs could reduce prison populations. Correctional officers should be encouraged with higher education, salary and incentives to becoming true Rehabilitation officers. Prison officers should be rewarded for their ability to rehabilitate inmates rather than simply implementing schemes. Public have to allow for regular look at what goes on behind bars which could be act as a deterrent for alleged abuse of inmates. Proper counseling is needed for inmates in order to reduce violence among prisoners before and after the prison life. Face to face counseling helps inmates to learn life-saving details and society and prison etiquette inside and outside the jail. To avoid overcrowd in prison, offenders who haven’t committed violent crimes could be on house arrest separating violent criminals, with certain restrictions and proper monitor. Conclusion Overcrowding prisons lead to violation of constitutional and human rights of inmates. In some prisons like Los Angele’s prison, rate of overcrowding was 33% higher than usual capacity. In 2009, while citing the example of overcrowding in Los Angele’s jail, the Supreme Court clearly said in its ruling that, the conditions like in Los Angele’s prison amounts to cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the constitution. In response to ruling, state had already taken steps to reduce its prison population. The situation is not far better in other prisons like Texas, Alaska and South Carolina, and now they started to follow the suit to avoid court’s fury. Reference James Vicini, [2006]. US has the most prisoners in the world. Retrieved December 04, 2011from http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/1209-01.htm Jeffrey Ian Ross, [2011]. Jailhouse Blues. Retrieved December 04, 2011from http://www.forbes.com/2006/04/15/prison-jeffrey-ross_cx_jr_06slate_0418ross.html Jennifer Laudano, [2011]. State of Recidivism: The revolving door of America’s prisons. Retrieved December 04, 2011from http://www.pewcenteronthestates.org/initiatives_detail.aspx?initiativeID=85899358500 Lise Mckean & Charles ransford, [2004]. Current strategies for reducing recidivism. Retrieved December 05, 2011from http://www.impactresearch.org/documents/recidivismexecutivesummary.pdf Marcie M, [2010]. Statistics Point to Violent Prison Conditions in U.S. Prisons. Retrieved December 03, 2011from http://www.askaninmate.com/2010/10/violent-prison-conditons-in-u-s-prisons/ Marc Mauer, [2003]. Comparative International Rates of Incarceration: An Examination of Causes and Trends. Retrieved December 04, 2011from http://www.sentencingproject.org/doc/publications/inc_comparative_intl.pdf OPPAPERS.COM, [2011]. Overcrowded Prisons. Retrieved December 04, 2011from http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Overcrowded-Prisons/175232 PRESS TV, [2011]. US prison overcrowding looms larger. Retrieved December 01, 2011from http://www.presstv.ir/usdetail/183293.html Shaphan Marwah, [2002]. Report warns U.S. prisons overcrowded. Retrieved December 03, 2011from http://www.prisonpolicy.org/news/uwire041502.html Vicky Pelaez, [2008]. The prison industry in the United States: big business or a new form of slavery? Retrieved December 06, 2011from http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=8289 Read More