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Solution To Prison Overcrowding

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Sociology

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Saint Xavier University

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CJ Senior seminar

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Solution to Prison Overcrowding

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Executive Summary

Overcrowding in American prisons has become a problem, due to the dangers associated

with the ever-increasing prison population. Through the collaboration of policymakers, the

justice system, and corrections system, several policy measures have been adopted to deal with

this problem. Such policies have majorly aimed at reducing the number of offenders who are

sentenced to a life sentence. These policies entail major investments in evidence-based programs

by the governments and expansion of correctional facilities. High-cost implications, public

disapproval, technicalities in decision making and implementation brought about by aspect

separation of powers have however limited the effectiveness of these policies. This paper has

suggested that out of several alternatives, the amendment of the current federal mandatory

minimum sentencing laws promises a high level of effectiveness because it will save high

amounts of public money and ensure great creation of space in prisons. The efficiency will result

from drug-related offenders serving shorter prison times which will lead to high turnover.

Introduction

The ever-increasing prison population is increasingly becoming a concern for the US

society and policymakers. The prison population in the United States boomed in the 1970s and

1980s as a result of the federal government’s anti-drug war (Galvin, 2017). The boom left many

states with the responsibility of having to deal with overcrowded prisons but constrained by

limited resources. The consequences of this overcrowding have been dire. In the first place, the

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overcrowding has been jeopardizing the living conditions of the inmates. There are increased

cases of abuse and deteriorated health condition continues to be reported. Secondly, several

instances of riots by the inmates that have caused injuries and sometimes death of correctional

officers are also increasingly being reported (Galvin, 2017). The public is also concerned about

the increasing number of incarcerations with many members of the public question the correction

and justice system. The events mentioned above coupled with public concerns have forced

governments, both state and federal to reconsider the corrections’ system. Having considered

prison overcrowding as an issue of concern that requires an immediate response, the purpose of

the paper is to review the present incarceration and correct system policies with the aim of

recommending a policy that will effectively solve the problem of overcrowding.

Background

Overcrowding in prisons among the states of the United States has called policy makers

into action. The strategy aims to review and reform the corrections system so as to thwart

consequences resulting from overcrowding in prisons. Both the federal and state governments

have in place policies aimed at solving this problem. Many of the policies established are

proposed take the form of reducing the number of inmate admissions into prisons and expansion

of correctional facilities through increasing the number of prison beds, construction, and

renovation of the prisons. In 2012, the Supreme Court ordered California to reduce its prison

population due to the state prison system's violation of the ban on cruel and unusual punishment

as dictated by Eighth Amendment. In response to the order, the state announced a criminal

reform plan (Respaut, 2016). The plan aimed at meeting the requirements of the court order,

improving criminal sentencing and saving taxpayer’s money. The implementation of this reform

led to a reduction of state’s prison population by 30000 inmates (Respaut, 2016). Although

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INSERT SURNAME HERE1 Solution to Prison Overcrowding Institutional affiliation Date Executive Summary Overcrowding in American prisons has become a problem, due to the dangers associated with the ever-increasing prison population. Through the collaboration of policymakers, the justice system, and corrections system, several policy measures have been adopted to deal with this problem. Such policies have majorly aimed at reducing the number of offenders who are sentenced to a life sentence. These policies entail major investments in evidence-based programs by the governments and expansion of correctional facilities. High-cost implications, public disapproval, technicalities in decision making and implementation brought about by aspect separation of powers have however limited the effectiveness of these policies. This paper has suggested that out of several alternatives, the amendment of the current federal mandatory minimum sentencing laws promises a high level of effectiveness because it will save high amounts of public money and ensure great creation of space in prisons. The efficiency will result from drug-related offenders serving shorter prison times which will lead to high turnover. Introduction The ever-increasing prison population is increasingly becoming a concern for the US society and policymakers. The prison population in the United States boomed in the 1970s and 1980s as a result of the federal government’s anti-drug war (Galvin, 2017). The boom left many state ...
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Tags: file:///Users/skhairallah/Downloads/Effective%20Policy%20Paper%20Writing.pdf file:///Users/skhairallah/Downloads/Sentencing%20Reform.pdf https://www.brennancenter.org/issues/ending-mass-incarceration file:///Users/skhairallah/Downloads/Black-Lives-Matter%20(1).pdf