Prison Overcrowding Case Study

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Analyzing the Problem
Jail overcrowding is a concurring problem within our criminal justice system. As one of the biggest single problems within the prison system. There are many presumed causes that have been attributed to overcrowding of prisons, yet there is no set cause. Many attributed the cause to the war on drugs, penal code, recidivism rates and harsher sentencing laws.
History of the Problem “Well over 2 million individuals are confined in jails, with inmate populations rested at 95% of the facilities capacity in states such as Alabama and California in 2004”. According to legislative response of politician drug use and demographic changes are conductive to crime. There is no question that this growing problem is need of drastic improvements …show more content…

The United States Sentencing Commission focuses on modifying and improving crime policy and sentencing guidelines. It seeks to acknowledge proportionality in sentencing guidelines. Not only has the United States Sentencing Commission stated the need for change it has opted to making changes. It made recommendations which stated the following “Congress should consider expanding the so-called “safety valve” at 18 U.S.C. § 3553(f) to allow a greater number of non-violent, low-level drug offenders drug offenders to be sentenced below the mandatory minimum penalties”.
System Analysis
According to the text, “Jails interact extensively with law enforcement agencies, courts, probation, and local government (Walter& Welsh, 2013)”. A police officer’s discretion is used to make a decision whether or not make an arrest. And district attorney’s influence on how suspect are processed into the criminal justice system depending on their age. Each of these law enforcement agencies influence who is going in and out of the criminal justice system. Each of these agencies greatly influence how interventions can be shaped in order to combat the reoccurring problems.
Identify Barriers to Change and Supports for

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