Prison and Correctional System

In recent years the prison and correctional system in the U.S. has come under close scrutiny. Mounting problems with violence, disease, and overcrowding have forced a reexamination of this country's entire prison and correctional program. Among the most important questions asked by this examination of the prison system is the underlying theory and purpose of the institutions. Under scrutiny, the question was raised as to whether or not the prisons of this country were doing the job that they were initially assigned to do. In reply to these questions, correctional institution officials were unified in their assertion that the lack of money, personnel, and space were among the most notable obstacles that stood in their way. This paper will deal with the increasing failure of the modern correctional system. It will examine the theory and purpose behind these facilities as well as changes and reforms that are presently underway. In addition to this, the problems facing reform programs will also be reviewed. In conclusion, this paper will summarize the existing situation and review possibilities for the future.

In a society that prides itself on origins based in liberty, it is ironic that an increasingly large social problem facing Americans today is that of prison overcrowding. There are well over half a million adults in the prisons and jails of the U.S. With over a million adults on probation and six million short time jail admissions per year, it is easy to see that

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risons to grow out of control, while neither side quite knows what to do about it. Conservatives say that since the liberals will not allow more severe punishment, more prisons have to be built to relieve the overcrowding. Liberals point out that this is only a temporary solution at best and that systems such as probation, parole, and educational rehabilitation must be used to help the situation. While both sides have valid points, the matter needs to be addressed immediately (Gingrich, 1990, January, pp. 15-17). If the purpose of correctional facilities is to be that of rehabilitation and not just incarceration, than a more liberal viewpoint is needed. The key to rehabilitation is not just incarcerating them for a while in hopes that they will be scared into being non-offenders. Instead, one should look at such policies as probation, parole, and educational programs. The problem that is pointed out with these programs is that, like the prisons they were designed to relieve, they no longer perform their original functions. originally designed to facilitate the rehabilitation of prisoners, they have now degenerated into serving only to relieve prison crowding. The conservatives, on the other hand, have a good point when th

Category: Government - P