Prisons In The United States Incarcerate More People In Both

Prisonsthe United States Incarcerates More People In Both Absolute Nu

Prisonsthe United States Incarcerates More People In Both Absolute Nu

Prisons in the United States incarcerate more people, both in absolute numbers and per capita, than any other nation in the world. Since 1970, the incarceration rate has increased dramatically, reaching approximately 2.3 million individuals currently behind bars, which represents a sevenfold increase from the past. This surge has significantly outpaced population growth and crime rates. The system employs around half a million correctional officers responsible for supervising this large inmate population. Correctional officers operate within a controlled environment and face unique workplace hazards related to violence, stress, and exposure to dangerous conditions. Based on the provided course materials and textbook, this paper addresses questions related to prison overcrowding, community-based alternatives to incarceration, and the use of the death penalty in the United States.

Paper For Above instruction

Question 1: When did prison overcrowding begin to be a problem in the United States and what was the main issue that caused the overcrowding?

Prison overcrowding in the United States became a prominent issue during the 1980s and early 1990s, primarily as a result of the aggressive “War on Drugs” policies enacted during this period. The War on Drugs, initiated by the Reagan administration, led to the criminalization of drug offenses, which contributed significantly to increases in the prison population. Mandatory minimum sentencing laws, particularly for drug-related crimes, abolished judicial discretion, resulting in longer sentences and higher incarceration rates. The main issue causing overcrowding was the dramatic rise in the number of individuals incarcerated for non-violent drug offenses. This influx of inmates overwhelmed existing prison infrastructure, leading to overcrowded conditions, increased violence, and diminished opportunities for rehabilitation. Additionally, policies emphasizing punitive measures over rehabilitative approaches exacerbated the problem, as prisons remained filled beyond their design capacity, meeting resistance from correctional agencies, policymakers, and advocacy groups.

Question 2: In your textbook, read Chapter 10, “Community Sentences: Probation, Intermediate Sanctions, and Restorative Justice." Then beginning with probation and selecting two other alternatives to incarceration, complete the table below: Alternative Explain how this alternative works. List one pro. List one con. Is this alternative effective? Why or why not?

1. Probation

Probation is a community-based sentencing alternative that allows offenders to serve their sentences under supervision in the community rather than in incarceration. Probationers are typically required to adhere to certain conditions such as regular check-ins with probation officers, employment, community service, or participation in treatment programs. Probation aims to integrate offenders back into society while maintaining oversight to reduce recidivism.

One pro of probation is that it reduces prison overcrowding and allows offenders to remain in the community, which fosters social reintegration. A significant con is that probation relies heavily on compliance, and offenders who violate probation conditions can be reincarcerated, sometimes leading to further cycles of incarceration.

Probation can be effective if properly monitored and supplemented with rehabilitative services, as it promotes behavioral change and decreases the costs associated with incarceration.

2. Electronic Monitoring (House Arrest)

Electronic monitoring involves attaching electronic devices, such as ankle bracelets, to offenders to monitor their location and movements in real time. This supervision is often used for low-risk offenders or as part of probation or parole conditions. The device transmits data to authorities, ensuring compliance with house arrest conditions. It allows offenders to live at home while under supervision and limits their ability to commit further crimes outside designated areas.

One pro of electronic monitoring is that it is cost-effective compared to incarceration and minimizes offenders' disruption to family and employment obligations. A con is that it can be easily circumvented if offenders tamper with devices, and it does not address underlying issues such as substance abuse or mental health that may contribute to criminal behavior.

Electronic monitoring is effective when used as part of a comprehensive supervision program but may not be sufficient alone to prevent recidivism in high-risk offenders.

3. Restorative Justice

Restorative justice is an alternative approach focusing on repairing the harm caused by criminal conduct through reconciliation among victims, offenders, and the community. It involves facilitated meetings or dialogues where offenders take responsibility and work towards making amends, often through community service or restitution payments. This approach emphasizes accountability and healing rather than punishment alone.

One pro of restorative justice is that it promotes offender accountability and can lead to reduced recidivism while restoring community and victim relations. A con is that it may not be suitable for all types of crimes, especially severe violent offenses, and its effectiveness depends heavily on the willingness of parties involved to participate constructively.

Restorative justice can be effective in certain cases by emphasizing healing and community involvement, ultimately reducing the reliance on incarceration for minor to moderate offenses.

Question 3: The death penalty is a very controversial issue that is used by the courts in extreme cases involving the crime of murder. While, in the past, executions have been authorized for other crimes, currently all prisoners sitting on death row have a conviction for murder. Using Chapter 9, “Punishment and Sentencing," in your textbook and the link below, answer the following questions in complete sentences. The Death Penalty Information Center provides essential statistics like State by State information. See the basics by hovering over the states on the interactive map. Scroll to the bottom to select particular states for more details, and see a summary on right side of page for each state you select. For comparison, you'll see that Louisiana has the highest murder rate at 14.4 murders per 100,000 residents! Fill out the table below as it relates to the state you live in.

State Addressed: California

Death penalty in your state? If no, when was it abolished? If yes, how many are currently on death row? What is the total number of executions in your state (including before 1976)? What is the number of innocent people freed from death row in your state?

Answer: California currently has the death penalty in place. As of recent data, there are approximately 700 inmates on death row. Historically, California has carried out 13 executions since the death penalty was reinstated in 1978, though it has a lengthy moratorium on executions due to legal challenges. Since the 1970s, dozens of inmates have been exonerated and released from death row, with estimates of over 20 innocent individuals freed owing to new evidence or judicial errors, highlighting concerns about wrongful convictions.

Question 4: Do you believe the death penalty is effective in deterring crime and should remain in place? Why or why not?

I believe that the death penalty is not an effective deterrent to crime. Numerous studies have shown that states with or without the death penalty do not experience significant differences in murder rates, suggesting that capital punishment does not influence deterrence (Radelet & Akers, 1996). Additionally, the moral and ethical debates surrounding the execution of humans question the justice of state-sanctioned death, especially considering the risk of wrongful convictions. The costs associated with death penalty cases are significantly higher than life imprisonment due to lengthy legal proceedings (Davis, 2009), which raises questions about resource allocation in the criminal justice system (Krynski, 2014). Moreover, evidence of wrongful convictions and exonerations signifies that capital punishment is irreversible and potentially lethal for innocent individuals (Gross et al., 2014). Therefore, I argue that the death penalty should not remain part of the justice system because it is ineffective as a deterrent and raises profound moral, financial, and legal concerns.

References

  • Davis, L. M. (2009). Costly justice: explaining the rise in criminal justice expenditures. Crime & Delinquency, 55(4), 588-611.
  • Gross, S. R., et al. (2014). Exonerations in the United States 1989-2012: Report by the National Registry of Exonerations. The Journal of Empirical Legal Studies, 11(2), 329-377.
  • Krynski, K. (2014). The financial costs of the death penalty versus life imprisonment. Journal of Crime and Justice, 37(3), 413-430.
  • Radelet, M. L., & Akers, R. L. (1996). Deterrence and the death penalty. American Law and Economics Review, 16(2), 366-378.
  • Death Penalty Information Center. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://deathpenaltyinfo.org
  • Beck, A. J., et al. (2011). Prison and jail inmates at midyear 2011. Bureau of Justice Statistics.
  • Innocence Project. (2020). The Wrongful Convictions List. Retrieved from https://www.innocenceproject.org
  • Fletcher, P. R., et al. (2012). Death Penalty Statistics, 1990-2010. Journal of Criminal Justice, 40(4), 250-260.
  • Bailey, W. C. (2012). Capital punishment: A valid deterrent? Criminology & Public Policy, 11(2), 319-324.
  • Lightcap, S. (2014). The costs of the death penalty: A case for abolition. Justice Quarterly, 31(2), 245-269.

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