American Intervention: Prisons in the United States

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America does a lot to help countries in need, however we could use some outside help of our own concerning our prisons. First, we could use help with overcrowding. Next, minor flaws in our justice system that contribute to overcrowding. Finally, the condition of some of our prisons don’t make them seem like they are not prisons at all.
In the United States, prison overcrowding is caused by many issues. These include not enough room in prisons, increasing crime rates, and changes in the justice system’s laws. Causes of prison overcrowding may include: double-celling, prisoner misconduct, and psychological problems. By examining prison crowding, it is a problem but it is not known whether or not it will affect inmates. However, there should be some other sources on how to improve overcrowding conditions.
Researchers have found that some of these causes of prison overcrowding are penalties for criminal activities and changes to laws that make more things illegal and increase crime rates. The penal system needs improvements, but not much can be done at this point in time. In 2013, Paul Waldman reports in this chart that at the end 2011, the number of prisoners per 100,00 population increased by two-thirds between the early nineties and 2008:

(chart 1, 2013).

In fact, as of right now United States is number one for the most imprisonments in every year. What other countries can do to help the United States is transport prisoners to ally countries so there can be room for more; monitor prison overcrowding, examine best practices, and look how to alleviate jail overcrowding. A major reason for overcrowding is the imperfections of the justice system.
Prison overcrowding impacts all criminal justice systems. The ...

... middle of paper ...

...conclusion, if other countries work with United States to help prisons be more diplomatic, and less crowded, there would be more room in them for the people that actually deserve to be there.

Works Cited

Ferguson, S. (2007, December 26). American Prisons - the Vacation Resort for Criminals. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
Lemons, S. (2012, August 9). A Woman Was Held in Jail Because Authorities Thought She Was
Illegal - - News - Phoenix - Phoenix New Times. Retrieved January 30, 2014.

Portland State University (2013, February 1). Prison overcrowding is a growing concern in the U.S. | Online CCJ PDX. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
Waldman , P. (2013, August 15). Six Charts that Explain Why Our Prison System Is So Insane. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
What is causing prison overcrowding?. (2013). Manuscript submitted for publication, Portland University.

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