Criminal Justice theory of corrections

The Problem with Overcrowded Prisons

At the turn of the 21st century the problem with the United States penitentiary system could no longer be ignored . There is no need to be incarcerated to understand the suffering of both inmates and personnel managing the prison . Just imagining constricted spaces and forced interaction with an increased number of criminals and or psychologically challenged people can be counterproductive to the supposed rehabilitation purpose of jail time . But reducing the number of inmates or making bigger facilities is not going to be the simple solution for

br this problem . There are many factors to consider and the dilemma is building up each year . A solution has to be reached before the problem can develop into a full-blown crisis that could result in breakdown of the system

This study takes a closer look into the problem of overcrowded prisons This includes finding out why overcrowding has become a riddle for many officials . The research would also tackle the effects of overcrowding Moreover , the proponent would find out what are the challenges faced by those who tried to formulate an acceptable solution

Overcrowding the Joint

In a nation where slavery is outlawed and where everyone has the opportunity to make something out of life , it is a puzzle why many still go to prison . In the Information age where a person has access to more knowledge , it is a mystery why many are the wiser since they commit deeds that would put them behind bars

In the book about U .S . prisons , authors Clear , Cole , and Reisig found out that , In 2003 , 22 states and the federal prison system reported operating at or above capacity . The federal system was estimated to be operating at 39 percent , and overall the state systems were operating at 14 percent above capacity (2005 ,

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Michael Jacobson the former Commissioner of the New York City Department of Correction , the largest city jail system in the U .S provides additional figures that helps to clearly illustrate the crisis And he remarked , The United States now locks up a higher percentage of its population than any country in the world . The more than 2 million people who are incarcerated today make up roughly eight times the number in 1975 (Jacobson , 2005 ,

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Overcrowding is due to tougher laws that were ratified due to the belief that habitual offenders must be punished longer . These laws also aimed to put these types of criminals locked up for good - that they may feel the full force of the law . Joycelyn M . Pollock in her book assessing the current state of American prisons remarked why there will be an increasing number of men and women who will be under lock and key for the rest of their lives

Even as recently as 1968 , 23 states had statutes that authorized life imprisonment for habitual offenders who had previously been convicted of certain specified offenses [ .] these new ' sentencing laws have the potential to exacerbate already...