Prison Disadvantages

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Recommended: The role of incarceration in reducing recidivism

There has been a debate over the usefulness of correctional institutions. Some argue that incarceration prevents offenders while others argue that the involvement of being incarcerated causes individuals to continue committing crimes. It is no argument that the incarceration in the United States has changed throughout the years. In 1980’s rehabilitation had occurred. It gave a focus on equality and fairness in sentencing but it also increased focus on incapacitation, and restriction strategies for not committing a crime. Crime during this time increased, it motivated the United States to get tough on crime. Today incapacitation is the main reason for Imprisonment in the U.S criminal justice system (Zimring and Hawkins, 1995)
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After incarceration many convicted felons face overwhelming challenges. It disallows you from certain jobs, and housing. An article I read “Life After Prison: Ex-offenders Face Many Challenges When Reentering Society” did research on an Alabama state correctional prison system. This prison was overcrowded as well. There was 25,000 inmates. As the research went on they discussed the issues of what happen when a convict felon get released. One of the men that have been release Haywood Speight went to prison for receiving stolen property and could not find employment where ever her went after his release in 2006. Haywood Speight was convicted again for burglary. Mueller-Smith estimated that each year prison reduces the chances of post-release employment by 24% and it also increase that you will live on public assistance. Being in prison also lower the chance of you staying or being in a relationship. When you are incarcerated for a long time you might lose the ability of working in the labor force and not being able to work might expose you to your criminal skills. This make crime a more appealing choice upon release even if you are more likely to return to prison. Many people argue that imprisonment is still important it if long sentences put off people from committing crime from the

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