Overcrowding in the Prison System

Paper Summary:

This paper takes a look at the US prison system and the dire issue of overcrowding. According to the paper, as a result of this overcrowding, there are increased incidents of violence, a rampant spread of disease in and out of the prison, poorer security in place than if appropriate inmate levels were maintained, higher rates of recidivism and unhygienic living conditions for inmates.

Outline:
Introduction
Factors in Prison Overcrowding
Challenges as a Result of Prison Overcrowding
Long-Term Solutions to Prison Overcrowding
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The second option that governments utilize to correct prison overcrowding is reform, including the introduction of alternatives to imprisonment. These alternatives strive to use different methods for authorizing offenders that do not pose a safety risk to the community. When considering that the majority of prisoners, in prisons around the globe, have committed non-violent offences, it becomes clear that these alternatives could be great benefit. Overcrowding in today's prison systems could be drastically reduced if even a percentage of these non-violent offenders were sentenced to an alternative other than imprisonment. These alternatives include a variety of programs including: community service, restorative justice, drug treatment programs, and probation ("Addressing Prison")."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "Addressing Prison Overcrowding." PenalReform.org. No date. Penal Reform International. October 17, 2006 <http://www.penalreform.org/download/ressource_kits/Kit%20I-C.6%20Addressing%20Prison%20Overcrowding%20(wkg)%20(KH)%2021-08-2003.pdf.>.
• Davies, R. "Deaths in UK Prisons are Due to Overcrowding, Says Report." The Lancet 363(9406) 31 Jan 2004: 378.
• Giertz, J. & Nardulli, P. "Prison Overcrowding." Public Choice 46(1) Apr 1985: 71-78.
• Marciniak, E. "Standing Room Only." Commonweal 129(2) 25 Jan 2002: 10-11.
• Travis, J. "Missed Opportunity to Cut Prisoner Count." New Jersey Law Journal 18 Apr 2005: NA.

More papers on Overcrowding in the Prison System:

• Essay # 55125 : "Prison System Overhaul"
• Term Paper # 149473 : "Prison Overcrowding and the Criminal Justice System"
• Term Paper # 95487 : "Crisis in the American Correctional System"

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