Choose One Of The Seven Module Countries And Answer The Foll

Choose One Of The Seven Module Countries And Answer The Follow Questio

Choose one of the seven module countries and answer the follow questions: UNITED STATES Describe unique correctional practices and the current incarceration rate of your model country. What is your country’s correctional theory? How are the prison conditions? Are there concerns of violations of human rights? If so, what are they? Is the current system effective? Why or why not? What changes should be implemented?

Paper For Above instruction

The United States has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world, reflecting unique correctional practices rooted in a punitive criminal justice model. With an incarceration rate of approximately 629 prisoners per 100,000 inhabitants as of 2023 (Walmsley, 2023), the U.S. system emphasizes punishment and deterrence. The correctional practices include mandatory sentencing laws, three-strikes policies, and an emphasis on incarceration over rehabilitative approaches, resulting in a system heavily oriented toward punitive measures.

The dominant correctional theory underpinning the U.S. criminal justice system is largely retributive, focusing on punishment as a primary goal. This approach advocates that offenders deserve punishment proportionate to their crimes and serves as a means to uphold moral and social order (Flanders & Vaughn, 2020). Additionally, elements of deterrence theory are evident, aiming to discourage criminal behavior through the threat of severe penalties (Nagin, 2013). There is also a rehabilitative component in some correctional programs, but it is secondary to punitive ideals and has often been criticized for being ineffective in reducing recidivism.

Prison conditions in the United States vary widely but are often criticized for overcrowding, inadequate healthcare, and insufficient access to rehabilitative programs. According to reports by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS, 2022), many prisons operate above capacity, leading to widespread issues such as violence, deteriorating infrastructure, and limited privacy. Healthcare services within prisons are frequently inadequate, with prisoners facing high rates of mental health issues, infectious diseases, and substance abuse disorders that go untreated or poorly managed (Wang, 2021). The quality of prison conditions often attracts human rights concerns, especially regarding the use of solitary confinement, excessive use of force, and the treatment of vulnerable populations, including juveniles and inmates with mental health issues (Amnesty International, 2020).

The human rights concerns extend to issues such as racial disparities in incarceration, with African Americans and other minority groups disproportionately represented in the prison population (The Sentencing Project, 2022). Reports have documented instances of torture, cruel and unusual punishment, and inadequate access to legal counsel, which violate international standards set by bodies like the United Nations (UNODHR, 2016). These violations raise ethical questions about the humaneness of the correctional system and its alignment with international human rights norms.

Evaluating the effectiveness of the current system reveals significant shortcomings. Despite high expenditure—over $80 billion annually (Travis & Western, 2014)—recidivism rates remain high, with approximately 68% of released prisoners rearrested within three years (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2022). The emphasis on incarceration over rehabilitation has failed to address root causes of criminal behavior, such as poverty, lack of education, and mental health issues. Moreover, the system's punitive focus often results in social marginalization of ex-offenders, hindering their reintegration into society and perpetuating cycles of crime and incarceration.

Significant reforms are necessary to enhance the effectiveness and humanity of the American correctional system. These include shifting toward rehabilitative models that prioritize mental health treatment, education, and vocational training (Petersilia, 2017). Diversifying sentencing practices to reduce reliance on incarceration for non-violent offenses and expanding community-based alternatives could lower prison populations and promote social stability (Mauer, 2015). Enhancing prison conditions by investing in healthcare, reducing overcrowding, and ensuring humane treatment are also critical. Addressing systemic racial disparities through policy reforms and oversight would further improve the system's fairness and adherence to human rights standards (Alexander, 2010). Overall, a balanced approach that emphasizes rehabilitation, respect for human rights, and social justice offers the best pathway toward an effective correctional model in the United States.

References

• Alexander, M. (2010). The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. The New Press.
• Amnesty International. (2020). USA: Human rights abuses in prisons. Amnesty International Report.
• Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). (2022). Prisoners in U.S. prisons, 2020. Bureau of Justice Statistics Bulletin.
• Flanders, J., & Vaughn, M. (2020). Corrections: Concepts, Strategies, and Practice. Routledge.
• Mauer, M. (2015). The Changing Racial Dynamics of U.S. Incarceration. The Sentencing Project.
• Nagin, D. S. (2013). Deterrence, Incapacitation, and Lex Talionis. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 29(4), 585–591.
• Petersilia, J. (2017). The Second Chance Act and Reentry. Annual Review of Criminology, 10, 321–338.
• Travis, J., & Western, B. (2014). The Growth of Incarceration in the United States: Exploring Causes and Consequences. National Academies Press.
• Walmsley, R. (2023). World Prison Population List. Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research.
• Wang, E. (2021). Healthcare in U.S. Prisons: Challenges and Policy Recommendations. Journal of Correctional Health Care, 27(1), 96-105.
• United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNODHR). (2016). Report on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.