Prison Reform Sanctions

Paper Summary:

In this essay, the writer notes that in the United States, there are two types of prisons: public, paid for by taxpayers, and private in which business and industry run prisons for capital gain. The writer maintains that although public prisons are far from perfect, they appear to be a better alternative than private sector prisons. Since both have major flaws, alternative sanctions must be explored when examining the issue of prison reforms. The writer then discusses that there are many valid alternatives to public and private prison incarceration, which may be as effective in reforming the offender. The writer concludes that alternative sanctions appear to be effective options to long prison terms and may reduce recidivism rates, while saving American taxpayer money.

Outline:
What is the Current Condition of Prisons in the United States?
What Alternative Sanctions are Available?

From the Paper:

"Although safety may be a factor in private prisons, the efficiency level at which these facilities are run appears to be above that of public prisons. One study actually found that the incarceration length of an average inmate in a private prison is less than half that served by an inmate in the public sector.
"As stated, private prison systems are very cost effective, often 5 to 15 percent below public prison costs of operation. However, the failure to rehabilitate prisoners in a productive manner may cost society a bigger price in the end."
"Overall, although private sector facilities house less dangerous inmates, these prisons appear to be a more dangerous environment due to the lack of staff on duty. Although public prisons are far from perfect, they appear to be a better alternative than a private sector prison."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Blakely, Curtis R., & Bumphus, Vic W.. Private and Public Sector Prisons - A Comparison of Select Characteristics. Federal Probation. 2004. 10 May 2007 <http://www.uscourts.gove/fedprob/june_2004/prisons.html>.
• Camp, Scott D., & Gaes, Gerald G., & Saylor, William G.. Quality of Prison Operations In the U.S. Federal Sector: A Comparison with a Private Prison. 2001. 7 May 2007 <http://www.bop.gov/news/research_projects/published_reports/cond_envir/ oreprscott1.pdf>.
• Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice. Half Truths: The Complicated Story of D.C.'s Halfway House "Escapees". 2002. 8 May 2007 <http://www.cjcj.org/pubs/halftruth/halftruth.html>.
• Lotke, Eric. The Prison-Industrial Complex. Multinational Monitor. 1996. 8 May 2007 <http://multinationalmonitor.org/hyper/mm1196.06.html>.
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Effectiveness of Strategies for Preventing DUI Recidivism. 1998. 9 May 2007 <http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAS-99-023.html>.

More papers on Prison Reform Sanctions:

• Term Paper # 133624 : "Alternatives to Traditional Incarceration"
• Essay # 66898 : "Women and Social Reform in the 19th Century"
• Analytical Essay # 123399 : "Crime and Reform"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: