The Problem Of Prison Population - 1536 Words

After decades trying to prevent it, prison population continued to increase. Mandatory minimum sentences and the privatization created more prisoners, rather than cutting down on the amount incarcerations. Since the 1980’s, the prison population has quadrupled and today one in every one hundred adults are in prison (Mandatory Minimums (HBO)). Infact, America leads the world in prisoners with 20% of the earth’s prison population (The Prison Crisis). In a study done by The American Prospect, charts and graphs provide information about the overpopulation crisis. The data from the charts show that while the crime rate has decreased, the rate of incarceration has been on a steady incline since 1990 (Waldman). America also leads the world in the number of prisoners- 760 prisoners per 100,000 population (Waldman). Not only does America have more prisoners than developed countries, like Russia, the united states beats undeveloped countries as well. Rwanda, which has the highe st amount of prisoners in Africa, has 595 prisoners per 100,000 population (Waldman). The overpopulation of prisons in America creates poor conditions for the inmates and with each prisoner, more money has to go into the prison system, hurting the economy. When a person convicted of a crime cannot pay the set bail, they are forced to stay in prison while their trial goes on. This means that a person could be completely innocent but would still have to face the same punishments that an actual criminal wouldShow MoreRelatedThe Problem Of Prison Population1615 Words   |  7 PagesPrison populations have grown substantially since the 70’s and there seems to be no slowing down this trend. State and local governments have become â€Å"tougher† on crime, examples include the three strikes and you’re out rule and the broken windows rule, which have lowered crime rates by increasing incarcerations. Many debates have gone on about the reasons of the overpopulation, the impacts on prisoners, the impacts on societies due to the prison overpopulation, and what the solution should be toRead MoreSolving The Problem Of An Aging Prison Population1250 Words   |  5 Pages Solving the Problem of an Aging Prison Population Joshua N. Handy American Military University Abstract The American correctional system is facing many emerging issues. One of these issues is the exponential increase in aging offenders. In the past few decades, the number of geriatric offenders incarcerated has multiplied at an increasing rate. This essay addresses the issue of aging offenders in the correctional system; the problems that these offenders create and the underlying issuesRead MoreThe Growing Inmate Population And Its Effects On The Prison System1099 Words   |  5 PagesInmate Population and Its Effects on the Prison System Frankie Lorino Jr. University of Troy â€Æ' Abstract The purpose of this paper is to look at the prevalence of overcrowding in the United States prison system, what led to its current conditions, and how it effects the its fundamental function. The explanation of growth is suggested by Davey 1998 and Anderson 2000. Jacobson, 2005 outlines some of the affairs leading to the change in prison functions. The dire state of conditions in prison facilitiesRead MorePrison Overcrowding Essay1184 Words   |  5 Pages Prison Overcrowding Nicole Neal American Intercontinental University Abstract This research paper is to explore the impact of prison overcrowding. The United States has a, what seems to be everlasting, prison overcrowding problem. Not only does the United States have this dilemma, but also many other countries have overcrowded prisons as well. Many issues need to be addressed; ways to reduce the prison populations and how to effectively reduce prison cost withoutRead MoreArgumentative Essay on Americas Problem of Prisons897 Words   |  4 PagesAmerica has a major problem with overcrowding in its prisons, and action needs to be taken. Since 1970, the inmate population in the United States has increased over 700%, far greater than the general population as a whole. This has led to declining quality of life within the prison system including 8th Amendment violations and it represents a needless drain on state finances. There is simply no value in keeping non-violent convicts in the prison system, sometimes for years. The costs are high, andRead MoreCalifornia P rison System Essay910 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿ M7A1 Case Study 3: California Prison System AB 109 and AB 117 were introduced to ease the pressure of the federal and state budget through saving costs on the penitentiary system. In this regard, the reduction of the prison population and the transfer of a part of the prison population to county jails was one of the main provisions of AB 109 but AB 117 actually discharges provisions of AB 109. Such a paradoxical situation is the result of scarce financialRead MoreTaking a Closer Look at Prison Gangs1157 Words   |  5 PagesPrison Gangs Ever since the creation of the first prison gang the ‘Gypsy Jokers’, gangs in prisons have been a handful for officials trying to provide safety and security not only for corrections workers but for inmates as well. Prison gangs have been responsible for carrying out any number of illicit activites behind bars, these include but may not be limited to: gambling, drugs, protection, and prostitution (Knox, 2012). Over the years research for prison gangs proves difficult because of theRead MoreThe Video Of Last Week Tonight By John Oliver884 Words   |  4 Pagesthe problem of mass incarceration in the United States. He starts by talking about the extremely large prison population in America. According to Oliver America has a larger prison population than China despite having a much smaller overall population. In fact America has the largest prison population in the entire world. He then discusses how the prison population is mostly populated with minorities and that white s are extremely underrepresented in prisons. Oliver talks about how the prison populationRead MoreControlling Managing Hiv/Aids In Prisons. Hiv/Aids Is1376 Words   |  6 PagesControlling Managing HIV/AIDS in Prisons HIV/AIDS is a serious health threat for prison populations, and presents significant challenges for prison management to control. In prison populations around the world, the prevalence of HIV is often higher than that of the general population. In some cases, the prevalence of HIV infection in prisons is up to a hundred times higher than in the community. Even in countries with large heterosexual HIV epidemics, such as in Africa, studies have shown thatRead MoreThe Pros And Cons Of Modern Prisons1261 Words   |  6 Pageswithin the populous and commit crimes, without getting caught or getting severe punishments. Now, with the idea and creation of prisons, the ability to lawfully punish criminals exists. The innocent are now safe. But is modern prison truly beneficial? London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom, is known as the birthplace of modern imprisonment (â€Å"History of Prisons†). Jeremy Bentham, a philosopher that was highly against the idea of the death p enalty, created a concept for a penitentiary that