Running Head Jail Tour

Running Head Jail Tour

Running Head Jail Tour

JAIL TOUR 5 Jail Tour Institution Jail Tour The United States Correctional System has been cited by the civil societies and other partners in the global divide to encompass a number of issues that lead to a violation of the human rights and privileges of the inmates. According to Bosworth (2017), the United States has the greatest of all when it comes to the prison population. The country interestingly has around half a million prisoners than China despite the fact that China has around four times the overall population of the United States. Visiting the River North Correctional Center and New River Valley Regional Jail furnished me with a ton of experiences regarding the real situation of the American prisons.

New River Valley Regional Jail revealed much more information because River North Correctional Center had been locked for a number of reasons. There have been claims by the government that the current criminal justice reforms aim at an overhaul of the correctional system to make it more efficient, objective, and to address concerns raised by human rights entities. However, the population I observed at the New River Valley Regional Jail was more overwhelming than expected. I inquired about the crime index in the country, and the management explained that the current conditions were a result of the economic devastation following the Great Depression of 2009 (Bosworth, 2017).

This economic hardship is a key factor contributing to overcrowding in prisons. The majority of inmates are middle-aged, suggesting many have committed crimes of necessity or survival—such as theft of food or fraud—driven by economic desperation. The management confirmed that many offenses committed stem from the need to meet basic needs, reflecting the broader economic struggles within the community. The prison cells, originally built for fewer inmates, were overcrowded, with beds shared among two or three prisoners, which severely compromises health and safety conditions. Overcrowding remains a critical issue, exacerbating hazards for inmates and encouraging misconduct among staff (Stoll, 2017).

Another significant observation was the strained relationship between prison management and inmates. Ideally, a correctional facility should focus on rehabilitation, providing education, vocational training, and social services to help inmates reintegrate into society. However, the relationship I observed indicated systemic issues, such as neglect and insufficient emphasis on reformative programs. Additionally, there was a notable prevalence of mentally ill inmates, including those suffering from depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. This aligns with Edge’s (2018) findings that individuals with mental health issues are four times more likely to be incarcerated, highlighting the link between mental health treatment deficits and prison overcrowding.

I also noted poorly maintained living conditions: non-ventilated, inadequately furnished rooms, and a predominantly non-white inmate population. These factors underscore the need for comprehensive reform, especially in mental health care and living standards, to address the systemic injustices and health risks faced by prisoners. My key takeaway is that many incarcerations could be avoided through improved mental health services, which would reduce prison populations and alleviate overcrowding. Moreover, the visit underscored the importance of systemic reforms that enhance prison conditions, focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment alone, and address socioeconomic factors contributing to crime.

In conclusion, the visit to New River Valley Regional Jail and River North Correctional Center provided valuable insights into the realities of the American incarceration system. Despite expectations of reform and positive change, the persistent issues of overcrowding, poor conditions, and inadequate mental health services remain prevalent, reflecting broader societal and systemic challenges. The experience reinforced the necessity of policy reforms aimed at humane treatment, mental health care, and social reintegration programs to create a more just and effective correctional system.

Paper For Above instruction

The United States correctional system is often scrutinized for its high incarceration rates and systemic issues that undermine both human rights and effective rehabilitation. During my recent visits to the New River Valley Regional Jail and the River North Correctional Center, I gained firsthand insights into these challenges, many of which underscore the urgent need for reform. The experience highlighted several critical issues, including overcrowding, poor living conditions, strained inmate-management relationships, and the disproportionate incarceration of mentally ill individuals.

The first significant observation was the extent of overcrowding within the facilities. Statistics show that the United States has the highest incarceration rate globally, with the prison population exceeding that of other nations such as China, despite the latter's larger population (Bosworth, 2017). At the New River Valley Regional Jail, most cells were over capacity, with two or three inmates sharing small spaces meant for fewer individuals. This overcrowding results in several health and safety concerns, including increased spread of infectious diseases, heightened stress levels, and the development of maladaptive behaviors. Overcrowded jails not only compromise the well-being of inmates but also diminish the effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts. It became evident that addressing overcrowding should be a priority for the justice system, requiring policy reforms that focus on alternatives to incarceration and more effective sentencing practices.

The second notable issue was the condition of living quarters and resources available to inmates. Many cells were poorly ventilated and furnished, creating unhealthy and uncomfortable environments. Such conditions hinder rehabilitation and violate basic human rights. Moreover, the low standards of living reflect a punitive approach rather than a rehabilitative one, signaling the need for structural improvements. According to Stoll (2017), the quality of incarceration environments impacts both inmate health and the success of correctional programs, emphasizing the importance of humane treatment.

Another critical aspect I observed was the relationship and interaction between prison staff and inmates. The correctional environment is meant to promote positive behavioral change; however, the apparent lack of effective communication, coupled with systemic neglect, hampers efforts toward rehabilitation. The concept of correction implies that inmates have opportunities to learn new skills, gain education, and receive social services that can facilitate their reintegration into society. Unfortunately, many inmates, especially those with mental health issues, lacked access to adequate services. Mental health concerns appeared widespread, with inmates exhibiting conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. The challenge of managing the mental health needs of inmates is a systemic issue, with Edge (2018) noting that individuals suffering from mental illnesses are significantly more likely to be incarcerated, often due to the inadequate mental health infrastructure outside prisons.

The prevalence of mental health issues among inmates indicates a failure of community mental health care and highlights the role of prisons as de facto mental health institutions. This situation raises ethical and practical concerns, as prisons are ill-equipped to provide appropriate mental health treatment. The lack of mental health resources not only prolongs the suffering of affected inmates but also contributes to higher recidivism rates, undermining public safety and the goals of rehabilitation. Therefore, effective mental health programs and community-based alternatives should be prioritized to reduce the burden on correctional facilities and address root causes of criminal behavior rooted in untreated mental health issues.

Furthermore, I noted systemic disparities based on race and socioeconomic status. The majority of inmates appeared to be non-white, raising questions about racial biases and inequality within the justice system. Socioeconomic factors such as poverty, lack of access to education, and unemployment significantly contribute to criminal behavior, yet these underlying causes remain largely unaddressed within correctional models focused on punishment rather than prevention. Addressing these social determinants requires comprehensive policy reforms that extend beyond prisons to include education, employment programs, and mental health services.

Overall, the prison visit was an eye-opening experience that reinforced several key lessons. First, many incarcerations could be prevented through robust mental health treatment and early intervention programs outside the criminal justice system. Second, systemic reforms are necessary to improve prison conditions and shift the focus from punishment to rehabilitation. Third, addressing broader social issues such as poverty and inequality is essential for creating a more equitable and effective correctional system. Implementing these changes can help reduce overcrowding, improve inmate well-being, and ultimately lead to safer communities.

In conclusion, the American correctional system faces significant challenges that require multifaceted solutions. The firsthand experience of visiting overcrowded, under-resourced, and poorly managed facilities underscored the importance of comprehensive reform efforts. These reforms should prioritize humane treatment, mental health care, social reintegration, and equitable justice policies, fostering a system that upholds human rights while effectively reducing recidivism and promoting societal safety.

References

• Bosworth, M. (2017). The U.S. federal prison system. Sage Publications.
• Edge, L. B. (2018). Locked up: A history of the U.S. prison system. Twenty-First Century Books.
• Stoll, M. A. (2017). Do prisons make us safer? The benefits and costs of the Prison Boom. Russell Sage Foundation.
• Brennan, P. F., & Hagan, J. (2020). Social determinants of health and incarceration. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 58(2), 246-253.
• Mitchell, C., & Mears, D. P. (2019). Racial disparities in incarceration: A systematic review. Criminology & Public Policy, 18(1), 125–144.
• Wacquant, L. (2010). Punishing the Poor: The Neoliberal Government of Social Security. Duke University Press.
• Fazel, S., & Baillargeon, J. (2011). The health of prisoners. The Lancet, 377(9769), 956-965.
• National Institute of Corrections. (2018). Addressing mental health issues in correctional settings. NIC Bulletin.
• Clear, T., & Cole, G. F. (2019). American Corrections (12th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Walker, S. (2016). The New Penology: Rethinking the State’s Approach to Crime Control. Routledge.