This is due to prison overcrowding, which is when the number of prisoners exceeds the capacity of the jail they are being held in. In some areas, such as California, this has become a substantial problem. Many jails do not have the resources to provide for additional convicts once they have reached capacity, so they must figure out a way to deal with these excess prisoners, which most of the time includes spending more money. Other times, the prisoner may be released well before their sentence is up. This has raised many conflicts, ones we are still trying to find solutions for.
The hardened character traits and “manly” attitude adopted as part of the prison culture can discourage offenders from participating in treatment. The stigma associated with incarceration, combined with the effects of being imprisoned, often results in a bleak outlook on life. Some feel they are the victims of the legal system, and still others take pride in belonging to a sub-culture, and being outside of the majority culture. Prisoners often learn to create this type of identity as offenders in order to survive within the system (9 Treatment Issues, 2005). Disincentives for Participation Ther... ... middle of paper ... ...treatment while in incarceration.
The increase in lawsuits file has made it necessary for the government to pass and sign the Prison Reform Litigation Act (PLRA) on April 26, 1996. The PLRA weeds out frivolous lawsuits that would otherwise take up time and money. In an article by Matthew Rowland, “Prison cells are double- and triple-bunked, making it more likely that some inmate misconduct will go undetected an... ... middle of paper ... ...ars to maintain prisons and house inmates. Prison overcrowding affects everyone. It is a domino effect.
In higher security ... ... middle of paper ... ... commit another crime. Counselling sessions are given individually to each prisoner, and are run by psychologist and social workers. Further counselling is offered to criminals who need extra support during prison, or are having difficulty coping with prison. In conjunction with this, counselling helps criminals understand how they can adapt to the outside world which, in turn, allows prisoners the chance to become more socially acceptable upon their release. Studies have shown that criminals who receive counselling are less likely to reoffend once they have been released.
Some of the negatives that rose from mandatory sentencing were nonviolent drug offenders and first time offenders who were receiving harsh sentences. Inmate populations and correction costs increased and pushed states to build more prisons. Judges were overloaded with these cases, and lengthy prison terms were mandated to these young offenders. Mandatory sentencing is an interesting topic in which I would like to discuss my opinions in going against mandatory sentencing. I will show the reasons for this topic, as well as give you my personal brief on which I support.
The proliferation of gang development had increased since the 1950’s (Fong and Buentello, 1991). An attempt to understand prison gang in 1985 showed that they were dangerous entities that were not organized. National Gang intelligence estimates that there are approximately 230,000 gang members incarcerated in federal and state prison nationwide (page, 30). This is important because gangs are a major problem not only in correctional settings, but in their community influence. Research has revealed that prison gangs have a greater chance of recidivating than those who are not gang-affiliated.
In the 1970s and 1980s, a massive amount of inmates began fillin up the United States prison systems. This huge rate of growth in this short amount of time, has greatly contributed to the prison overcrowding that the United States faces today. In fact, the prisons are still filled to the seams. This enormous flood of inmates has made it practically impossible for prison officials to keep up with their facilities and supervise their inmates. One of the main reasons why many prisons have become overcrowded is because of states’ harsh criminal laws and parole practices (Cohen).
La Eme (Mexican Mafia) and prison gangs like it control street gangs and its own members through fear and intimidation. “Generally prison population has been growing over the past two decades” (Knox, 2012) When asked about the growing prison gang population a question arose for prison officials, “Do you feel that gangs or gang leaders are able to influence politicians in your state?” (Knox, 2012). This question was as... ... middle of paper ... ...is implemented by moving a head gang member to a different high security facility preferably out of state. In the study conducted by Knox & Tromanhauser in 1991, around 70% of wardens advocated for bus therapy. A problem however, is that by moving the head gang members you run the risk of transferring gangs and gang activities from one facility to another.
Since they are breaking laws they also but themselves at the risk of getting arrested. They risk their freedom and their future all for drugs. Each year drug use is the cause of a large number of accidents at home in the office and on the road. Everybody pays the price of drug abuse: more cops and prisons more hospitols and treatment centers and many lives lost. But drug users hurt themselves more than anybody because they are supporting violent crimes in the drug world.
But do we know what goes on in our prisons and jails? We know we have prison gangs, drugs, assaults, robberies, and even murders in prison. But what happens when you mix an overcrowded prison or jail with violent, drug using, angry, abusive, gang related men with the average person who is in prison or jail for the first time. The result is an aggressive sexual act known as inmate rape. The fight against rape in our communities is doomed to failure and will continue so as long as it ignores the network of training grounds for rapists: our prisons, jails and reform schools.