United States Incarcerates More People In Both Absolute Numb ✓ Solved

United States Incarcerates More People In Both Absolute Numbers

The United States incarcerates more people, in both absolute numbers and per capita, than any other nation in the world. Since 1970, the number of incarcerated individuals has increased sevenfold to 2.3 million in jail and prison today, far outpacing population growth and crime. In the U.S., approximately half a million correctional officers are responsible for supervising more than two million inmates. Correctional officers are exposed to unique workplace hazards within a controlled prison environment. Based on the videos from this week and your textbook, answer the following questions as completely as possible.

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?

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? Probation.

Question 3: The death penalty is a very controversial issue that is used by the courts in extreme cases involving the crime of murder. Using Chapter 9, "Punishment and Sentencing," in your textbook and the provided link, answer the following questions in complete sentences.

Question 4: Do you believe the death penalty is effective in deterring crime and should remain in place? Why or why not? (Please be detailed in your answer.)

Paper For Above Instructions

Prison overcrowding in the United States has been a significant issue since the late 1980s, although its roots can be traced back to earlier decades when tough-on-crime policies were enacted. The war on drugs, initiated in the 1970s, played a crucial role in the exponential increase of incarceration rates. Mandatory minimum sentences and three-strikes laws further exacerbated the problem, leading to a surge in the prison population. The overcrowding is primarily driven by the high incarceration rates for non-violent drug offenses, which have disproportionately affected communities, particularly African American and Latino populations (Petersilia, 2003).

In terms of alternatives to incarceration, probation is the most common. Probation allows offenders to remain in their communities under supervision, rather than serving time in jail. This alternative works by placing conditions on the offender, such as regular check-ins with a probation officer, attending counseling sessions, or undergoing drug testing. One pro of probation is that it can reduce prison overcrowding, offering a chance for rehabilitation. However, a con is that if the individual violates the terms of probation, they can face incarceration. This alternative has shown varying effectiveness, largely depending on the support systems available to the offender and their willingness to comply with the conditions set (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2018).

Another alternative to incarceration is restorative justice, which focuses on repairing the harm caused by criminal behavior through reconciliation between victims and offenders. This approach promotes accountability and encourages offenders to understand the impact of their actions on victims and the community. The pro of restorative justice is that it aims to heal rather than punish. A major con, however, is that not all offenders may be willing to participate sincerely, which could undermine the process. This alternative can be effective, particularly in cases where victims desire closure and offenders are genuinely remorseful (Zehr, 2002).

Regarding the death penalty, my state, [Your State], currently employs the death penalty. As of now, there are [Number] individuals on death row in [Your State]. The total number of executions carried out in my state, including those before 1976, is [Total Executions]. Additionally, there have been [Number] individuals exonerated from death row in my state. This data highlights the serious implications of wrongful convictions, which is a compelling argument against the death penalty.

In my opinion, the death penalty is not effective in deterring crime. Research has shown that states with the death penalty do not have significantly lower homicide rates than those without it (Bauman, 2018). Furthermore, the lengthy and often complex legal processes involved in capital cases can strain resources without yielding proportional benefits in terms of public safety or justice. Moreover, the moral implications of executing individuals, particularly in cases of wrongful convictions, raise profound ethical concerns. I believe that resources would be better allocated towards crime prevention and rehabilitation programs rather than maintaining the death penalty.

References

• Bauman, R. (2018). The deterrent effect of capital punishment: An analysis of its efficacy. Journal of Criminal Justice, 57, 25-33.
• Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2018). Probation and Parole in the United States, 2016. Retrieved from https://www.bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=pbdetail&iid=6118
• Petersilia, J. (2003). When Prisoners Come Home: Parole and Prisoner Reentry. Oxford University Press.
• Zehr, H. (2002). The Little Book of Restorative Justice. Good Books.
• Death Penalty Information Center. (2023). State-by-State Information. Retrieved from https://deathpenaltyinfo.org
• Tonry, M. (2019). Sentencing Matters. Oxford University Press.
• Steiker, C. S., & Steiker, J. M. (2016). The American death penalty and the (In)justice of its administration. Harvard Law Review, 129(2), 1193-1226.
• Hood, R. (2015). The Death Penalty: A Worldwide Perspective. Routledge.
• Harris, A. J. (2016). A life worth living: Perspectives on the use of the death penalty. Criminal Justice Ethics, 35(2), 97-115.
• Radelet, M. L., & Borg, M. O. (2000). The changing nature of the death penalty debate. Annual Review of Sociology, 26(1), 43-80.