Prison Overcrowding

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how prison overcrowding is the most significant problem facing the modern criminal justice system. It looks at how prison overcrowding means that millions of incarcerated low-risk offenders are subject to abuse and violence while in prison, which can only increase their risks of recidivism. The paper also looks at how prisoners are denied access to the very programs that might prevent them from re-offending. Furthermore, the paper discusses how there are several strategies that federal, state and local agencies can employ to reduce the problem of prison overcrowding and how, by using these strategies, government agencies can ease the heavy burden of prison overcrowding.

Outline:
Introduction
Discussion
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"While the failure of social and family support systems may explain the increase in criminal behavior, it is certainly not the only cause of prison overcrowding. In fact, "since 1981, the number of offenders in prison or jail continues to increase despite decreases in both crime rates and the number of persons arrested." (Connecticut General Assembly, 2000). This fact makes it clear that offenders are more likely to be incarcerated now than they have been in the past. The push for incarceration is a result of the combination of several factors. The first of these factors is the "war on drugs," which caused drug addicts and casual drug users to be labeled as criminal offenders. (Connecticut General Assembly, 2000). In part because of the war on drugs, and partially as a result of there has been an increase in state and federal funding for policing and an expansion of existing prison capacity. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• American Civil Liberties Union. (2001). About the ACLU National Prison Project. RetrievedMay 16, 2006 from the American Civil Liberties Union. Web site: http://www.aclu.org/prison/gen/14759res20010131.html
• Connecticut General Assembly. (2000). Chapter 4: causes of prison overcrowding. In Factors impacting prison overcrowding: final report. Retrieved May 16, 2006 from The Connecticut General Assembly.Web site: http://www.cga.ct.gov/pri/archives/2000fireportchap4.htm
• Haney, C. (2005). Prison overcrowding: harmful consequences and dysfunctional reactions. Retrieved May 16, 2006 from the Commission on Safety and Abuse in America's Prisons.Web site: http://www.prisoncommission.org/statements/haney_craig.pdf#search='prison%20overcrowding'
• Michigan Task Force on Jail and Prison Overcrowding. (2005). Final report. Retrieved May 16, 2006 from the State of Michigan. Web site: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/report_119595_7.pdf#search='prison%20overcrowding%20solution'
• Nathan, V. (2005). Commission on safety and abuse in America's prisons. Retrieved May 16, 2005 from the Commission on Safety and Abuse in America's Prisons. Web site: http://www.prisoncommission.org/statements/nathan_vincent.pdf

More papers on Prison Overcrowding:

• Analytical Essay # 140901 : "Prison Overcrowding"
• Term Paper # 149473 : "Prison Overcrowding and the Criminal Justice System"
• Persuasive Essay # 148278 : "Impact of Prison Overcrowding"
• Essay # 108345 : "Prison Overcrowding"

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