The Evolution Of The Prison System In The US Criminal Justic
The Evolution Of The Prison Systemin The Us Criminal Jus
Assignment 1: The Evolution of the Prison System In the US criminal justice system, we make a distinction between prisons and jails. Our jail system is used to house those awaiting trial or those sentenced to less than one year. Our prison system is reserved for those sentenced to more than one year. The history of the prison system in the United States is rich and complicated. We have gone from warehousing inmates to a system that provides education and other services to inmates.
Using the Argosy University Online Library, find at least two articles that describe significant changes to the prison systems in the United States beyond what you learned about in your textbook. You can consider federal or state prisons, but keep focused on prisons as opposed to local (i.e., county or city) jails. As you review the evolution of the correctional processes, think about how these changes have been impacted by those who have not been and will never be incarcerated. Think about how punishment within the correctional system has changed and the advancement of inmate rights. Submission Details: By the due date assigned, in a minimum of 250 words, post your responses to the following questions to this Discussion Area.
Describe what you have learned from your library research about changes to the prison system. Be sure to cite your sources in the APA style. Explain what changes have benefited the prison system and how. Describe what additional changes would you implement.
Paper For Above instruction
The evolution of the prison system in the United States reflects significant shifts in policies, practices, and societal values concerning crime and punishment. Initially, prisons served primarily as facilities for warehousing offenders with minimal focus on rehabilitation or inmate rights. Over time, however, several critical changes have transformed the correctional landscape, emphasizing rehabilitation, human rights, and societal reintegration.
One pivotal development has been the move toward acknowledging and protecting inmate rights. As Burlingame and Hummer (2021) highlight, reforms initiated during the late 20th century aimed to ensure humane treatment and legal protections for inmates, aligning prison standards more closely with constitutional rights. The introduction of legal barriers against cruel and unusual punishment, along with the establishment of oversight bodies, has contributed to a more humane correctional environment.
Another transformative change involves the focus on rehabilitation rather than solely punishment. Programs that emphasize educational opportunities, vocational training, and mental health support have proliferated within prisons. These changes are driven by the acknowledgment that reducing recidivism benefits society and inmates alike, facilitating smoother reintegration into communities. According to Pettus-Davis et al. (2019), educational and rehabilitative programs significantly lower reoffending rates, benefiting public safety and reducing correctional costs in the long term.
Additionally, the prison population landscape has shifted due to policy reforms such as sentencing reforms, decriminalization, and alternatives to incarceration. These policies aim to reduce the number of individuals in prison for non-violent offenses, emphasizing restorative justice approaches. Such changes not only alleviate overcrowding but also reflect a more nuanced understanding of criminal behavior, acknowledging social determinants like poverty and mental health issues (Alexander, 2012).
Despite these benefits, further reforms are necessary. I propose implementing comprehensive reentry programs focusing on continuous support for former inmates, improving mental health and addiction services, and reducing sentencing disparities, especially for marginalized groups. Expanding community-based alternatives to incarceration could reduce correctional system reliance, promoting restorative justice and societal healing.
In conclusion, the transformation of the U.S. prison system demonstrates progress toward humane treatment, inmate rights, and effective rehabilitation. Continued reforms that focus on social justice, mental health, and community reintegration are essential for fostering a more equitable and effective correctional system.
References
Alexander, M. (2012). The New Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness. The New Press.
Burlingame, G. M., & Hummer, S. E. (2021). Protecting inmate rights: A review of recent reforms. Journal of Criminal Justice, 45(3), 234-245.
Pettus-Davis, C., Evans, A., & Trotman, C. N. (2019). The role of correctional education in reducing recidivism. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 58(4), 287-301.