After the creation of these drugs and the closure of psychiatric wards, people stopped taking their drugs, and the effects of their illnesses, treatment was not received, and their behaviors deteriorated. Thus, crimes were committed, and inmate population increased. These inmates are more likely than any other type of inmate to have behavioral issues. As of 2005 there were 1,255,700 mentally ill inmates recorded within our state and federal prisons (Seiter, 2011). * According to Seiter (2011), in 2004 drug dependence or abuse criteria in the State prison was met by 40.3% of inmates and in Federal prison systems was met by 48.6%.
Since the 1980s, this has occured. When the government decided that there was a big problem with drugs being on the streets in urban neighborhoods, there was a major surge in arrests. There is a discrepancy between the amount of minorities in prison and what these people are in prison for. As a result of the influx of inmates, more space was needed to house them. That is where private prisons come in.
According to a project run by The Huffington Post, 40% of juvenile offenders sent to private prisons on account of drug related crimes are arrested and convicted of harsher crimes in less than a year from their release (Kirkham). Moreover, the concept of combating drugs with the threat of imprisonment is counterproductive. Imprisoning low level drug-dealers for long periods of time creates a gaping void in the market, quickly replaced by desperate individuals wanting to generate an income, and the number of potential “criminals” skyrockets. Thus, by locking away non-violent offenders with such long sentences, the incarceration boom is being promoted, and wrecking societal
HIV/AIDS is one of the biggest and baffling diseases our world has to deal with. IV drug users are at an especially high risk for these diseases through the act of sharing needles with other addicts who may be afflicted with the disease. Research shows that NEPs actually reduce the occurrence of HIV among drug-users. The first NEP was opened in New York City in early 1992. (Jarlais, Doc C Des, et al).
Everyone in society plays a particular role. Social justice advocates might be concerned about incarceration rates that show racial disproportions and a fiscally conservative taxpayer would also be worried about the cost of said “war on drugs.” State legislatures need new ideas and solutions to come out of the war on drugs, considering policy change is in their hands. The United States has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world. The inmate population grew considerably by 1,849 prisoners a week in 1996; that is 264 people a day. One out of every 155 U.S. residents has been behind bars, putting the United States only second to Russia and it’s per person rate of incarceration.
One in every 100 adults in the United States is incarcerated according to the PCS. The Pew Center on the States (PCS) conducts credible research and analyzes states’ experiences to determine what works and what does not work. Overcrowding has been a problem in the United States for many years. The government has tried different ways to fix it, but it has steadily gotten worse. Overcrowding has become a major issue in the United States mainly because nonviolent drug addicted offenders are repeating behaviors and ending up in jail.
Goals For and Challenges to Rehabilitation behind Prison Walls For a very long time incarceration was traditionally used as the punishment of choice, especially in regard to more serious or violent offenses. However by introducing non-traditional alternatives to extended periods of incarceration has saved millions of dollars that had been budgeted for the high cost of incarceration. It is the belief of many in this day and age that criminal behavior is caused by some determining factor. Depending upon the classification of the offender, their status can be used to both control and treat the offender by: determining the type of sentence that will be handed down, as well as the type of facility that will be used for housing. (Influences on
Hepatitis in the Prison Systems The Silent Killer By Heather Davenport December 6, 2012 The most dangerous thing coming out of the prison these days may be something most convicts don’t even know they have Hepatitis. Adults in correctional facilities are at risk for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection through sex with HBV-infected persons, injection drug use, and sharing of close living quarters with other inmates infected with HBV. A high percentage of prison inmates have Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends Hepatitis B vaccinations for adults in the prison setting because of the increased risk for infection, both inside and outside of prison. The majority of HBV infections among
“Mass incarceration of convicted drug offenders is a substantial contributor to America’s prison and jail overcrowding. (oathout) The majority of individuals in America’s prison and jail facilities are drug offenders who are overcrowding the facilities and costing a massive amount
Criminal justice agencies use electronic monitoring to keep track of offenders who are under house arrest, in pretrial release or on parole. Sometimes, electronic monitoring is used to monitor criminal’s movements within a prison or jail complex. Another use to electronic surveillance is monitoring sex offenders after they are release from prison. In July 2006 President Bush signed the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act. The act empowers the Justice Department to receive funds in order to help state and local governments provide sex offenders with electronic surveillance units.