Abstract
This paper examines the success of prison rehabilitation programs in reducing the prison population, providing former prisoners with life and job skills and cutting the rate of recidivism. It gives special attention to Louisiana-based programs such as Project Return and the state?s Department of Labor and Corrections job fair. This paper concludes that federally-funded programs such as these are essential in helping the prison system fulfill its rehabilitative as well as punitive roles.

From the Paper
"Recent statistics released by the Bureau of Justice present a sobering picture of the United States corrections system. A 2000 census shows that there are an estimated 2 million people currently incarcerated in the country. This translates to an incarceration rate of 699 prisoners for 100,000 people. Analysts believe that within a few years, the United States will surpass Russia as the country with the world's highest incarceration rate (Boulard). This growing prison population continues to reduce the effectiveness of the corrections program and to strain limited state resources. In the last fiscal year alone, states spent $38 billion on corrections and prison-related expenses, a 5.2 percent increase from the year before."

Tags:convict, corrections, america, criminal, justice, jail, incarceration

Abstract
The paper focuses on the Texas prison system to demonstrate how to prevent violence, control the population, and manage and mitigate future violence in the prison. The paper calls for the redesign of the prison system in ways that make it cost effective, safe, and focuses on the rehabilitation of only those offenders who have not proven themselves beyond rehabilitation. The paper details this innovative prison design and explains how it will eliminate the social interaction of prisoners in a way that causes the prison environment and system to become "communities" of criminal social conclaves.

From the Paper
"The attitude of "entitlement," is heard in Compton's concern for the way programs that are essential to the rehabilitation of inmates are constantly under the threat of being limited, reduced, or even curtailed for cost saving purposes. The reality is, prison is a punishment where people who were once free in society to pursue programs designed to address their emotional and social needs opted, instead, to make different choices for their selves. The choices brought them before and into the justice system where their lives are less about choices for addressing their emotional and psychological needs, and more about preventing them from inflicting further harm on the law abiding society. Prison is a punishment, not a private setting in which to pursue the treatment for the social maladies that the individual did not seek treatment for prior to incarceration, even though numerous programs exist to do that. Understanding the population this way, the question that must be asked, that must be first, is how do we make prisons a safer place for the staff and inmates who in this setting of dysfunction, display amoral and asocial behavior?"

Tags:rehabilitation, violence, offenders, inmates

Abstract
This paper argues that, even though restitution and punishment is important, the more vital role of prisons lies in rehabilitation. Realistically, most prisoners will be eligible for parole. It is therefore in the general public's best interests to ensure that prisons serve as venues for rehabilitation by providing services like counseling and job skills training. This paper looks at one of the biggest obstacle to the goal of rehabilitation, violence in prisons, with focus on prison rape.

From the Paper
"The problem of prison violence, however, goes beyond individual concerns. Prisons are places where inmates are constantly subjected to threats and the potential of violence -- sexual or otherwise. They are also subjected to a dehumanizing loneliness, one that keeps them isolated from forming connections with other inmates. At best, these factors preclude any training or rehabilitation from taking place. In the worst cases, however, many non-violent offenders quickly learn to adapt to the new rules. As a result, many prisoners develop violent tendencies of their own, tendencies which they maintain when they are released back into society."

Tags:rehabilitation, parole, violence, incarceration

Abstract
This paper examines and discusses prison overcrowding and its effect on the criminal justice system. First, the paper presents statistics about the rapid growth of the prison population in the last decade. Then, it addresses how Americans have become increasingly vocal about the need for prison and sentencing reforms, which has also increased the prison population. Next, the paper explores how prison overcrowding has a severely negative affect on the criminal justice system. Finally, the paper analyzes the impact of prison overcrowding on inmate, further looking at relevant literature in this field. The paper concludes by stating that prison overcrowding can lead to recidivism and lack of prisoner rehabilitation, and has has an extremely negative impact on the criminal justice system and on society.

Outline:

Factors in Prison Overcrowding
The Affect on the Criminal Justice System
The Affect on Inmates
Decarceration

From the Paper
"Since the 1970s, Americans have become increasingly vocal about the need for prison and sentencing reforms, and many states have passed "three-strike" laws that return habitual criminals to prison for long or even life terms. This has helped raise the prison population. There are also more policing efforts to crack down on drugs, prostitution, illegal immigration, and gang-related crimes, which has resulted in more prisoners entering the system. In addition, societal factors, such as unemployment, poverty, racial profiling, and other issues have affected the inmate population. Researcher Pfaff continues, "Rising unemployment drives up prison populations and admissions" (Pfaff, 2008). Finally, political pressure helps fill prisons. Constituents consistently bombard both local and national legislative branches because they want tougher laws and sentencing against criminals, such as the "three-strike" laws enacted in many states. The public perceives crime, particularly violent crime, as on the upswing, and they demand action from their representatives, who are usually more than happy to mandate new laws, no matter what kind of prison system they have."

Tags:recidivism, prisoner rehabilitation, penal population, sentencing reform

Abstract
This paper explains that the only way to truly provide humane conditions is by taking rehabilitative measures to control the number of prisoners by reducing the large number of prisoners who go to jail in the first place or wind up in jail again after their release. It calls for community-based supervision and prison rehabilitation programs in order to stop the cycle of criminals returning to jail after their release.

From the Paper
"To understand why a belief in criminological positivism and a faith in rehabilitation and a welfare characterized crime control has formed in the modern era, there are two major issues to consider. One is the lack of humane conditions that are presently provided in prison systems and the other is the degree of rehabilitation that prisons can and should facilitate to cope with prison populations that are swelling beyond control. Rehabilitation to avoid incarceration in the first place or to reduce the likelihood that inmates will return to prison after their release is the best possible solution."

Tags:welfare, jail, rehabilitation, criminal

Abstract
This paper describes the social and monetary cost of incarceration in the United States, which boasts the highest percentage of jailed individuals. One major concern, the author stresses, is the quality of rehabilitation the inmates receive while they are in prison. The paper concludes that to keep an inmate from re-offending and have a successful transition back into regular society, he or she must be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed.

Table of Contents:
Failing Issue
Working Issue
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Society's current focus is on revenge and incarceration in prisons. The cost of the explosion in the criminal population, due to tougher sentencing laws, forces a look at prisons beyond mere incarceration. To keep an inmate from re-offending and have a successful transition back into regular society, he or she must be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed. Programs such as vocational training and rehabilitation need to be revamped to provide meaningful skills."

Tags:rehabilitation, revenge, re-offending, mundane, vocational

Abstract
This paper begins with a description of the current state of the American prison system. The paper mentions a number of statistics that show how prisons are completely overcrowded to the extent that prisoners are released before due-date just to make room for new ones. The paper shows how high the budget is for the prison system and how much more is needed to fix the problems. Finally, the paper looks at potential solutions to the over-crowding, including more death sentences, rehabilitation programs, and others.

From the Paper
"Prisons are so overcrowded within the states that typically "only one criminal is jailed for every one hundred violent crimes committed" (Economist, 1996). Many violent criminal offenders do not even serve out their entire terms; many serve half of their term and are released on an appeal or probation (Economist, 1996). These prisoners are often released to society only to commit another crime at a later date. Overcrowding results among other things, in increased costs, costs that taxpayers often bear the brunt of paying. The problems associated with prison pricing and overcrowding are explored further below."

Tags:death, row, crime, rehabilitation, violent, budget

Abstract
This paper outlines the four major sections in "Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison" by Michael Foucault. The paper summarizes Foucalt's treatment of torture as it was used by law enforcement and correctional officials since the Medieval Period, the emphasis on punishment as a form of correction and/or rehabilitation, the idea of discipline and the creation and maintenance of the modern-day penal/correctional system. The paper labels Foucault's work as exhaustively researched and well-written and asserts that this book deserves to be included in all courses that focus on incarceration, the penal system and even the history of torture and punishment in Western civilization.

From the Paper
"In this monumental work, first published in English in 1977, French intellectual Michel Foucault explores the evolution of the penal system in Europe, beginning roughly in the Middle Ages and up to the mid 20th century, with such insight and knowledge that one suspects that Foucault was writing from first-hand experience. In essence, Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison contains so much information and description that the reader becomes immersed in not only how the penal system and its corrective/punishment methodologies came about but also how such systems have affected the entire scope of Western civilization."

Tags:correction, rehabilitation, torture, incarceration

Abstract
This paper provides in-depth research into this program being used in a prison in Lebanon, Ohio. It examines a new model currently being tested to help inmates at one correctional center break down the destructive ways of behaving that have earned them imprisonment. The paper provides an analysis into the social behavior, mental condition and personal emotions of inmates who have undergone this program and attempts to examine if the program is effective. It explain what the program entails, which tries to change a prisoner's behavior and thought process.

Introduction
Literature Review
Statement of Problem
Statement of Purpose
Statement of Need
Statement of Assumptions
Statement of Limitations
Methodology
Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"Corrective Thinking sessions are the heart of the program. This section discusses the theoretical basis for the structuring of these sessions within the framework of established psychological theory and practice.
Each session is governed by the following five mandatory specification:
No display of disrespect from or toward anyone.
A clearly defined set of goals for each meeting.
Establishment at the beginning of each session of a common ground (which is the achievement of the desired goal) between participants and facilitators.
Explicit agreements between facilitators and participants that they will try to accomplish something beyond the (minimum) stated goals.
A clear designation of the responsibility of each of the participants and facilitators.

The model of behavioral change currently being tested at this center also specifies a series of guidelines that should be adhered to in every Corrective Thinking Session."

Tags:social, mental, prison, jail, model, ohio, lebanon, condition, session, LSI

Abstract
This paper focuses on the prison education system. The paper examines parents that are incarcerated, and the hopelessness that they feel in attempting to care for their children, and how this can lead to crime. The paper explores the elements of prison education that can serve as rehabilitation to these individuals, and the affects of incarceration on the children of inmates. The paper draws conclusions based on the research, and provides an insight for prison education that is not often considered within society.

From the Paper
"More than 30% of single mothers are living at or below the poverty level in the United States. 60% of all households in which the single mother is Hispanic, and 45% of all households in which the single mother is African American are poor. 25% of those in poverty do not have a high school diploma. 13 million children each day suffer from the deprivations that poverty brings ("Poverty", 2005). What if just one of those children belonged to you? What if you cold not qualify for welfare because you had a minimum wage job, but the job barely paid the rent, and there was no spousal support, and no family to lend you a hand? What if then the children cried for food? What would you do?"

Tags:prison, education, family