The prison system in this country needs reform. According to recent studies we currently have less than 5% of the world’s population, and have around 25% of the world’s incarcerated prisoners. This is a staggering number, and shows an inherent flaw in our correctional system: In 2001, almost 6 million people were receiving punitive recourse from the U.S. government correctional system at the years end. From 1973 to 2000 the rate of incarceration quadrupled.
Prisons are not fixing the problem of chronic law breakers. Most ex-prisoners return to a life of crime and eventually prison. This leads to over crowded prisons that do little more than reinforce criminal behavioral patterns. Ultimately this problem is a reflection of cultural changes taking place in the U.S. Children are being ever more exposed to violence and pornography. Narcissism and materialism are on the rise and people are losing hope of achieving success. With out hope there's not much reason to worry about anything beyond present consequences.
I think that another problem is that most prisons are privatized. This basically means that they are a business. If they do not “correct” the issues in prisoners minds, then business is good. There is no motivation for the private sector to lower our crime rates; but plenty of reasons to maintain a steady influx of prisoners. Federal penitentiaries have shown a much lower rate of returning inmates than privatized.
As it stands now, what we are doing is not working. I think we should look into other means of correction, with empirical evidence and scientific study to back that choice of correction.
2 comments:
I completely agree with you. There are way too many people in prison and too many that come back after a time. I believe that if the government slapped more fines that are more expensive on people who do crime then that would help solve some of the problems. What the prison system needs is a much better rehabilitation system. Probation is not a good a good rehabilitation technique because it simply doesn't stop the crime doers. Now community service is a great way for the criminals to rehabilitate.
I also completely agree with you. We need to look at alternative methods as a form of punishment or rehabilitation. Prison is not for rehabilitation, no matter what anyone tells you. I think non-violent offenders should be rehabilitated and given the opportunity to live a productive life instead of thrown in prison. About half of all incarcerated prisoners are nonviolent offenders.
Not only is it very expensive (nearly 50 billion a year at the state level) to house inmates, once they get out of prison it is very difficult to lead a productive life. They have a criminal history now so how will they get a job? If they do get a job will it be a good job they can support a family on?
People make mistakes, they are young and dumb. Some people experiment with drugs and alcohol. Does that mean they go out and murder people? No, and I don't think they should be treated the same way and be given virtually the same punishments. Whether you serve 2 years or 20 you have a criminal record now and for the rest of your life. We leave them with nothing and expect them to make it when they are released.
A 2005 California study found that more than two-thirds of parolees were back in prison within 3 years of release, 40 percent for technical infractions. We need to help these people stay out of prison and break the vicious cycle.
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