Thank you everyone who was in class tonight for the great discussion of the prison readings. Thinking about what was discussed in class, please answer these two questions:
1) Why do we put so many people in prison and why is the proportion of the U.S. population behind bars so much higher than the rest of the world?
2) What needs to be changed about the U.S. system? Do you have any suggestions for how we can keep former convicts from returning to society rather than going back to prison?
Your answer for each question should be at least one paragraph. Use examples or support from the readings or from your own personal experience if possible. Please try to respond to the comments of at least of your classmates either directly or in your own post.
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ReplyDeleteI think we put so many people in prison because , One reason when we have people from other countries that want to come over here and live the "American Dream" meaning that people think that they could land a job , have a nice house, and make a lot of money . Which is the opposite it's hard to land a job when the immigrant come's here and if they do its not a great paying job, so they would turn into crimes like stealing money so they would be locked up for a long time. The other reason is that people from other country is not familiar with the laws here.
ReplyDeleteWe have higher prison population than other countries because of the money it brings to the country. Our taxes pay for these people to be in prison's . If we keep this up the next decade we could be broke. The other reason is because we have a unfair system , meaning that if a middle class and a low class has drugs on him, the middle class would get a lesser charge than the lower class.
The U.S system's need to change the way they stereo type the society everyone should be treated case by case system. If someone breaks the law for petty things we shouldn't automatically think that the person is bad. We need to rehabilitate the people when they break the laws, Find the reason why they did of what they did.Also we need to open up and stop thinking we are the perfect people in America we need to start open our thoughts and stop hiding behind close doors. For example like London. if you have a drug problem they are open to discuss why you have the problem and they are willing to get you counseling with no charge, or have a criminal record.
For convicts it really depends on a severity on the crime's they committed , if they were charged with murder there's really no hope, who would want to work next to someone that killed a person in the past . I wouldn't, I'll be looking over my shoulder every second. however someone that has less sever crimes they deserve a second chance, maybe give them some vocational schooling and some therapy . We shouldn't be quick to judge someone from there past.
This is the second time I had to rewrite this , The first one was better but, some how it didn't show on here.
DeleteI agree with you Chang the population of prison in a America is because of the increasing number of people coming to America, resulting in an over population country with more crimes and violence.Also the way society view ex- convicts, especially when there are being released from prison.
DeleteI agree with you more people you have and we do not have enough jobs for the people so they have to do illegal things to survive and end up in jail.
DeleteLawrence, Alica, Jessica.. you make some good points but these points are not consistent with many of the facts. The U.S. is the richest country on the planet with the second largest economy but just 5% of the world's population Americans consume more resources and have more wealth than any other country on the planet...so problem would seem to not be a lack of money or resources but rather what American chooses to spend its resources on.
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ReplyDeleteMy assessment is that we put so many in prison because there are so many who are looking for immediate gratification, they would rather robe and kill to get money and or someone's possessions. They, for some reason believe they are entitled to such things. This attitude comes from many circumstances, lack of parental guidance, father not in the life of their children, lack of education, or could be simply, for hanging out with the wrong crowd, this list could go on extensively. It now seems as though the age group for the major crimes are growing and going in the wrong direction. As I'm writing this blog, the news is showing a man punched in his own vehicle by a nine year old, then his 15 year old partner finished it off by knocking the man unconscious. Some of these younger boys and girls know they may get off with a slap on the wrist or the more severe punishment is a detention center for a couple of months/years. Are these younger kids taken into counselling? Are they given the "Scared straight" method? Do these juveniles even care to change? Because the punishment doesn't meet the crime these same adolescents end up back in the prison system, hence the US population behind bars so much higher than the rest of the world.
ReplyDeleteA more severe punishment might make them think twice before committing the crime. The US is more lenient it seems than other countries, hence my suggestion that we need to have a more respected prison system, the repeated offenders do not mind going back and fourth into the system because for most it's an indoor picnic experience. They look forward to the amenities, free food, heat, hot water, television, bed to sleep, etc. If it were not a somewhat comfortable stay, this too may deter the crime.
Finding the root of an inmates cause through psychological counseling may aid in their rehabilitation, giving companies a tax break for hiring rehabilitated inmates, etc., are my suggestions in keeping an inmate out of the prison system.
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I agree w/Chan as well, that the prison population is so high in the US because of the immigrant factor. They come into the US looking for a better life and granted many of them find it, many as well do not, hence the gangs, and just trying to survive. But even in this, the immigrant would rather be in our "luxurious"
jail system, than their own in their country.
Yes I agree with my self . I just want to add on that scared straight programs do work and we need more of that system. We should have kids that act up sleep with a serial killer in the same cell or have there rear end pushed in.
DeleteI believe this is a little overrated because as far as the pre-teens/young adults the scared straight idea is good and as far as leaving them in prison for a couple weeks is fine. As far as sleeping with a serial killer or having their rear end touch that can back fire in so many ways.
DeleteI truly agree with you. But they really don't understand what life is really about and how to tap into there talent to make money so they don't have to keep going back to jail.
DeleteThe position you outline above is a good example of how we must be careful to conduct complete, fair, and unbiased research into all sides of an issue before we write about it in an academic paper or express opinions which are based on stereotypes perpetuated either by the media or politicians because they fit with what we want to believe is true. The fact is that immigrants and foreign born residents of the U.S. are 4 to as much as 13 times less likely to end up in prison than are native born Americans. Throughout history it has often been easier to use new immigrants as a scapegoat rather than deal with the problems facing our society rather than to address them. Diane makes some well founded points about the linkage between lack of parental supervision and education and likelihood to end up in prison...but how are new immigrants in anyway responsible for these things? The facts simply do not support this position.
DeleteAccording to a scientific study conducted by the Migration Policy Institute, an independent, non-partisan, non-profit think-tank based in Washington, DC, in 2006:
...the incarceration rate of the U.S. born (3.51 percent) was four times the rate of the foreign born (0.86 percent). The foreign-born rate was half the 1.71 percent rate for non-Hispanic white natives, and 13 times less than the 11.6 percent incarceration rate for native black men (Rumbaut 2).
Debunking the Myth of Immigrant Criminality: Imprisonment Among First- and Second-Generation Young Men | migrationpolicy.org
DeleteYes there are a lot of criminals and Yes they need to be behind bars. I believe we put so many people in prison because of our laws. Not only is it the laws but also the system which is completely corrupt. The reason why proportion of the U.S. population is behind bars so much higher than the rest of the world because those countries don't have a functional government system. Many of those countries also can't afford a stable prison that can hold the convicts. That be said that's why the U.S has so many convicts in prison because we can afforded a prison, control and keep convicts in line.
ReplyDeleteWhat needs to be changed about the U.S. system is some of these laws. I believe bringing back the death penalty to all states will scare some those people's minds about going back to prison. Some people will still return to prison but if will definitely cut a percentage of people returning. A major adjustment to people not returning to prison is to actually help them. When they leave that prison give them counseling to help understand why they did what they did. Offer them job programs on what they like to do or find out they skills on what they are good. Finally with the jobs while doing those programs give them a job. After the programs the HELP DON'T STOP! those convicts are getting a job and a second chance at a normal life without being looked at a criminal.
I totally agree with you Markeya, ex-convicts need to be educated and community programs should be implemented such as intervention programs and Job resources, so that they can be given a second chance. However, I do not feel the death penalty will reduce the number of prisoners. I thinks its something that ex- convicts need to be educated, so they can stop the crime. Some might be innocent people who live by the law, but for some reason might get caught in a mess. For those who actually commit a crime, they need counselling as to why there are commiting the crime and what treatment or preventive measures needed to stop the act. I feel if we do not get to the root of the problem, death penalty will come and still they will be many prisoners because some of them might commit a crime and they do not even know why and actually some are insane and need serious help.
DeleteI agree with bringing back the death penalty to every state.
DeleteIs the death penalty really the solution? Have we reached such lows that we are mimicking the very actions of the criminals we call ourselves punishing? The human toll on the innocent and guilty alike have reached epic proportion, and still endless debate and controversy surround this complex topic. The headlines, evening news horror shows and newspapers cry out for justice. Pushing triggers with an endless cacophony of trepidation and fear.
DeleteA rethinking and revamping of our morals, virtues and values is obviously needed. An epiphany and a miracle is required and time feels like it is slipping away. Perhaps it is easier then we think, perhaps the answers are right before our eyes and only you and I, as individuals can initiate change. Person by person, deed by deed with the total, unobliterated awareness of our own personal power.
While corporal murder (death penalty) may feel like a real solution; it has only proven to be a quick fix; like catching water in a sieve. Unfortunately, it is not a deterrent to crime. It is just not working.
In 2012 the U.S. National Research Council (NRC), the combined working arm of the United States National Academies consisting of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and the Institute of Medicine (IOM), published a paper stating that most research previously conducted showing any linkage between the death penalty and increase OR decreases in crime in the U.S. were scientifically flawed. According to the NRC,
DeleteThe committee concludes that research to date is not informative about whether capital punishment decreases, increases, or has no effect on homicide rates. Therefore, these studies should not be used to inform deliberations requiring judgments about the effect of the death penalty on homicide (Nagin 2).
In other words, the issue is simply too complex to be definitely proven or disproved without devoting a considerable amount of time and money to a complete study of the relationship between the death penalty and crime rates.
http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/documents/NatResCouncil-Deterr.pdf
DeleteAccording to an article in the Washington post, the U.S. Prison population is more than 2.4 million. This gives an account of every 100 American behind bars. In comparison to other countries, the U.S population has a higher proportion of prisoners behind bars. Although the United States is supposed to be one of the many riches country, it sad to say they are many people living In the United States in Poverty. In addition, there are more violence and crimes in the United States. The increase in crime can be contributed to many factors such as an increase in population. The increase in prisoners in America can also be because of the way the system is run. For instance, the length of sentences for a crime and the nature of the crimes committed. All these are factors that can contribute to the United States being out of proportion in the U.S prison system.
ReplyDeleteAlicia, I agree that a lot of the crime in America is due to poverty and little to no income for the average American citizen. As a result, many are turning to crime to feed their families, also as a way of survival. Many people are losing jobs due to the economy. Over population is also a good reason crime is up in today’s time, if there is over population there would be a decrease in job availability.
DeleteAlicia.. You make an excellent point, but your position would be even more powerful and convincing if backed up by statistics or scientific studies. For example, a 1992 study by Charlotte Ramsey on the relationship between receiving GED's and prison recidivism among inmates in South Carolina indicated that just "22% of inmates who received a GED recidivated, while 35% recidivated who had not received a GED" (Ramsey 10).
DeleteIf you were writing a paper on this topic you could use the literature review published here find additional supporting evidence:
https://www2.ed.gov/offices/OVAE/AdultEd/OCE/19abstracts.html
The U.S prison is designed to keep putting back prisoners that were released from previous convictions back into prison. This action is done because of previous records of felony or convictions against them. First, as a society we need to change the way we view ex- convicts and give them a chance to correct themselves. Although, some people might not change because of what might have done to them; nevertheless we owned it to every citizens to give them a chance to make the right the choices. As a society, we can implements programs that may be beneficial to ex-convicts so when they are release from prison, they can become educated in which areas they might be struggling with. For instance, setting up community based programs such as drugs intervention program during prison and after being release, so they can break the cycle of repeatedly being thrown into prison. Another way is to shortening the lengths of sentences or eliminates sentences that are petty crimes. For instance, someone steals food because they were hungry. There is also the option of taking serious measurements on ex-convicts, such as parole, probation and house arrests. In addition, providing jobs for ex-convicts, so that they can have a better life.
ReplyDeleteThe main problem with the US prison system is we lock people up for petty stupid crimes. Back in the day someone did something serious we would kill them and that would be the end of that. Now we have long trials to see all sides of them crime and yet that still amy not work Ex: Casey Anthony. In other places across the globe if someone kills someone the government kills them. In the US that isn't as common certain States are quick to pull the plug and others not so much. And some times someone could kill someone and in a few years with good behavior they are back out on the street. Once that person is on the street they'll either do one of two things adjust to society or do something stupid to land back in jail because there is nothing out there for him. Its something that happens all the time.
ReplyDeleteA major change that needs to be made as I said before stop locking people up for stupid things. Someone has a joint in their pocket send them to counseling for a few months. Although if you catch someone with an 8 ball of heroin yeah lock him up. The simple fact that 79% of the non violent crimes that people were thrown in jail for are drug related crimes. The only way someone can know the right way of doing things is to teach them the right way. So teach them how to adjust, show them how to control their anxiety and have programs for when they are out where they can work, earn a living or even possibly go to college/trade school. Everyone makes mistakes and no one should have to live their life regretting smoking that joint. Nothing as petty as that should define someones life.
As far as people getting locked up for petty crimes, I feel like it's all business. The minute the handcuffs go on the process begins, from posting bail to out-processing fees, court fees, and the list goes on. I don't see it stopping anytime soon, a perfect example would be the stop and frisk practices, with that in effect the number of people getting locked up for petty crimes in New York City is only going to get worse,and I wouldn't be surprised if other states began to adopt the same practice.
DeleteJust as violent crime has become part of the accepted part of life in the United States,” so too has the growth of the system we have established to contain it”(Elliott Currie). A huge and constantly expanding system has become the normal and expected feature of American life. The American jails are full because the cost of living and desperation to keep our families fed, as contributed to crime. Racial profiling also added to the packed prison system in America. Societal issues of race are still very prevalent in the United States in the 21st century. What is unusual about the discussion of race is how frequently national attention to these issues is focused on race and the criminal justice system. For example, the 1992 police beating of Rodney King in Los Angeles; the arrest and charges of racial profiling of Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates in 2009. I also believe our jails are full because of the lack of reformation for prisoners that want to change their lives. Many times inmates are not given the opportunity to improve their live in society; as a result, they go back to the crimes they once new and eventually back to prison.
ReplyDeleteSherwina... You have a valid point that prisons have become an "industry" in the U.S. and this supported in the readings; however, I can't locate the quote to you reference from Elliott Currie. Where was this quote published? Also, Currie as a Professor of Criminology at UC Berkeley is definitely an established expert on this topic...but you need to let your readers know who he is and why you are quoting him.
DeleteThe American prison system can be changed if we offer better reformation programs to the inmates. Many times, they want to do better, but job and employment opportunities are not being offered to ex convicts. The only jobs that are being offered to convicts are warehousing jobs that do not meet the standard needs of everyday life. I agree that businesses should be aware of whom they employ for safety reasons; however, I believe they should be given restricted opportunities towards better jobs with the support of law enforcement.
ReplyDeleteEmployers and other corporate entities must accept the fact that rehabilitation starts right here with each and every one of us. Teaching people how to "fish" instead of offering fish dinners is the only way to stop this cyclical, self perpetuating abuse and waste of resources and human potential.
DeleteI also believe that the role of parole officers should also be to set up former inmates with GED classes, as well as providing assistance with writing their resume and setting up job interviews or provide job training.
DeleteVery often inmates are released and actually do want to make a change but they don't have the proper support systems, or access to the resources necessary to make the transition.
DeleteDespite a palpable decline in crime across the country, the numbers of individuals incarcerated, in state and federal prisons, as well as those on probation is disconcerting and begs the question . . . “is racial or social class domination the real end?” Are we a carceral nation, obsessed more with black and latina males going to prison, rather than educating them?
ReplyDeleteThe utilization of mass incarceration as a nebulous form of social and racial control appears triumphant and can only be categorized as evil, pure and simple.
M. Scott Peck, a world renowned psychiatrist and authority on evil, resonates truth in his book entitled: The People of the Lie. He states:
“ . . . I define evil, then, as the exercise of political power, that is, the imposition of one’s own will upon others by overt or covert coercion in order to avoid extending one’s self for the purpose of nurturing spiritual growth. Ordinary laziness is non love; evil is anti love.
Since the evil deep down, feel themselves to be faultless, it is inevitable that when they are in conflict with the world they will invariably perceive the conflict as the world’s fault. Since they must deny their own badness they must perceive others as bad.
They project their own evil onto the world. They never think of themselves as evil; on the other hand, they consequently see much evil in others . . .” (M. Scott Peck; People of the Lie).
Solution
Those around us must awaken, immediately! No one is alone. We must as a nation promote and rethink the principles of Community. For the well being of any society, public safety and compassion must be foremost and compulsory. The monitoring and control of governmental spending must take on new implication for its citizenry; then and only then can we begin to prioritize our ideals.
If states are willing to pay out 50 billion per year on this Machiavellian system, it is the responsibility of its citizens to initiate and insist upon reform.
A revitalization of our judicial system is imperative. Judges and juries must be forced to dispense with law on the application of universal principles of fairness and common sense; streamlining and revamping “the old boys’ network” and the political status quo. The total cessation of its corporate appeal may require a dismantling of its fiduciary incentive, coupled with cost/benefit analysis which alludes to merely stopping crime by implementing straightforward strategies; including the continuation of stop and frisk and “hot spot” policing. Abolishing sentencing for misdemeanor drugs would be a start; incorporating real comprehensive provisions of psychological/psychiatric services for the treatment of addiction, poverty and recidivism.
Lolita... Thank you for the thoughtful and well reasoned response...it is particularly effective when you establish the authority of the authority you quote, "M. Scott Peck, a world renowned psychiatrist and authority on evil, resonates truth in his book entitled: The People of the Lie." However, your argument could strengthened and made more accessible if you use language that is more accessible to your audience. Calling the U.S. prison system "Machiavellian" is not only unfair and extreme....but it is probably puzzling to many people it. Your argument is valid..just don't let your language get in the way of conveying your ideas.
DeleteIt’s no mystery that prison is big business, I mean some choose to look the other way, but truth and the matter is that it’s a very lucrative industry. Not only do correctional facilities receive government funding for each inmate, the best part is most inmates work while incarcerated for pennies on the dollar. There’s approximately two million inmates in state, federal, and private prisons across the country. The prison industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States, private contracting of prisoners for work fosters incentives to lock people up.
ReplyDeletePersonally I feel as far as the U.S justice system goes its all business, think about it. In areas where the crime rate is high, the majority of those who commit the crimes can’t even afford a decent lawyer to avoid the consequences, and the courts are aware of that. Now I’m not saying that being able to afford a lawyer makes it ok and that it will go away, but it definitely gives you a better chance. Fact is most of the time you don’t stand a chance in court without proper legal representation, because it’s more beneficial for the state to incarcerate you. Very often deals like a plea bargain, or pre-trial intervention are offered as a lesser form of punishment, or so it seems at the time, which usually becomes a trap for most though. So when you’re in the position where your freedom is in jeopardy you need to be aware of what’s going on or you’ll be lost, stuck facing the consequences and dealing with regrets for the rest of your life.
Another problem is that a lot of inmates are being released after years of incarceration, and are expected to adapt to a world they haven’t really been a part of for quite some time. The change is almost impossible sometimes, because they've become institutionalized and re-adapting to society is similar to learning how to walk again. Most of the time they’re released under conditions such as parole, probation, etc. The way I look at is without proper rehabilitation programs set in place prior to their release and after in order to help these inmates re-adapt to society how can they become or remain stable without the proper support. Eventually they’ll revert back to their old ways, and the same system that was put in place to help them like probation or parole becomes their trap.
You make some great points. The U.S. Justice system is either so broken or so corrupt that it has become self-perpetuating...people in prison don't receive and education/training or incentives to prevent them from returning to the system. In depth studies of this topic like Reiman & Leighton's The Rich Get Richer and The Poor Get Prison: Ideology, Class, and Criminal Justice...already in its ninth printing..clearly demonstrate how two different legal system co-exist in the U.S...one for the rich and one for the poor.
DeleteDefinitely corrupted and as far as education goes I don't think they still allow inmates to obtain degrees in jail, I believe they do have a GED program and that's it. in the end it's a constant cycle that keeps the wheels spinning, it's business so the the rich getting richer and the poor getting prison sounds about right. I've never heard of Reiman & Leighton, sounds interesting I will look into it.
Delete1.) America had around 5% of the world’s population, and 25% of its prisoners. Roughly one in every 107 American adults is behind bars, approximate rate of nearly 5 times that of Britain, 7 times that of France and 24 times that of India. Its prison population has more than tripled since 1980. The growth rate has been even faster in the federal prison system; from around 24,000… its level, more or less, from the 1940s until the early 1980s; to more than 219,000 today! (The Economist, Why does America have such a big prison population?) One massive factor to this huge population of prisoners is the harsh drug penalties. From the epidemic drug rage in the 1980s, Congress has put a harder foot hold on the laws when it comes to drug related crimes. Possessions of tiny amounts of drugs can now hold a sentence a maximum of 5 years!
ReplyDelete2.) For one, America needs to take their prison system more seriously and not just a place to throw criminals in and forget about them. Now days, prisons are more toxic than the “outside world” a just throwing criminals in there for a couple years, won’t change them when it’s time for them to get out. Some ex-cons even feel as though when it’s time for their release, the people outside of jail or even the government owes them something in return for their harsh trials in jail. Simultaneously, what America should do to get prisoners on better terms for when they get home is get real programs for change, trades, mental care, drug programs, and educational programs in prison. Non-violent youth and adults should be offered programs outside of prison. For instances community service and more serving programs.
You know I think if they were all separated by the crime they did then counsel them and find out why they did it they might have a clear understanding. Then let them know it is really life behind the bars. They need to sit each and every prisoner down and find out what talent they have and then try to get them to use it and learn how it can help them out in life so they don't have to keep making the same mistakes. And let them know by them using there talent it can help them out financially as well and with there family. You have to dig deep because there is room for change and a second chance only if you want it. But then the ones who just don't want to change or do right let them stay in there for life since that's what they want out of their life nothing but to be behind bars.
DeleteAccording to various news related websites including the Washington Post, America has around 5% of the world’s population, and 25% of its prisoners. Roughly one in every 107 American adults is behind bars, a rate nearly five times that of Britain, seven times that of France and 24 times that of India. Its prison population has more than tripled since 1980. The growth rate has been even faster in the federal prison system: from around 24,000—its level, more or less, from the 1940s until the early 1980s—to more than 219,000 today. The question that remains to be asked is, “why does America have such a big prison population?”
ReplyDeleteAmericans are locked up for crimes, from writing bad checks to using drugs, which would rarely produce prison sentences in other countries. And in particular they are kept incarcerated far longer than prisoners in other nations. There are many reasons why so many Americans are behind bars, one being that compared to other country America has for-profit prisons.
Privatization of prisons negatively impacts the treatment, rehabilitation, and the care of prisoners due to the for-profit motivations. As a result of the low rate rehabilitation purpose that the prisons serve or the lack thereof; two-thirds of prisoners reoffend within three years of leaving prison, often with a more serious and violent offense. More than 90 percent of prisoners return to the community within a few years (otherwise our prisons would be even more overcrowded than they already are). That is why it is vitally important how we treat them while they are incarcerated.
Private for profit prisons encourage three-strike laws and get tough on crime and early-release, parole, and good behavior programs are likely to be discouraged because this would cause fewer profits. Owners and/or shareholders (mainly American politicians') of these prisons, lobby for harsh criminal laws leading more people being incarcerated on preposterous grounds to increase profit.
Based on my opinion the Prison population really grew through the War on Drugs/War on Poor people and Minorities. Minorities caught with drugs faced much higher penalties than Whites caught with drugs. For a handy example, despite Crack and Cocaine being the same drug, Blacks caught with Crack got much higher sentences than Whites caught with Cocaine. This was followed by States creating very harsh penalties for those who were charged with drug crimes despite most drug crimes being victimless and the most common drug was marijuana, which is a harmless drug.
While the high population of the prisons is a huge problem, that's not the only problem. People put into prison tend to stay in prison. They get out, have a very hard time, and commit a minor crime to go back to prison. If they break parole, back to prison. If they can't pay their debt, back to prison. If they don't have an address to stay at, back to prison. Taxpayers pay for the prisoner’s time in prison, but they don't pay for their rehabilitation.
Former inmates are competing for jobs with those who never served time behind bars. It is a tremendous challenge but more needs to be done to prepare inmates for the world outside. Preparing and training inmates in vocational jobs for emerging industries, such as green technologies or construction work, should be a focus. Also all prisons in the United States should get ex-inmates working in transitional jobs within six months of their release.
"Why Does America Have Such a Big Prison Population?" The Economist. The Economist Newspaper, 14 Aug. 2013. Web. 31 Oct. 2014.
Eve Tahmincioglu. "Unable to Get Jobs, Freed Inmates Return to Jail." Msnbc.com. NBC News, 17 Feb. 2010. Web. 31 Oct. 2014.
You raise some really important questions here and your use of facts and statistics in your introduction sets the tone for an objective and reasoned discussion of the topic with numbers your reader will find difficult to ignore. You also cover all the topics from the readings...good job!
DeleteThe statistics provided in the The New Yorker article by Adam Gopnik are disturbing. 731 Americans in jail for every 100,000. The tax payer money spend to maintain and run the prisons!! I am not sure how the system classifies crimes committed, but maybe one way to decrease those numbers would be not to give jail time to minor violations. In our days job opportunities for one with a record are almost impossible. I have a friend whose son (22) did jail time for 3 years he was very talented and went to school, he got out of jail a different man, mature and wanted to do good for him self. For months he looked for work every where and did not find work at all, no one will give the opportunity due to his record. He got very depressed and killed himself in his own home at age 25. This could be avoided if minor violations did not create a criminal record.
ReplyDeleteAlso minorities in the USA are everywhere oppose to other countries, all looking for a better life but without education or a suitable economic status is difficult to get a decent paying job and without money who can survive? thus succumbing to other ways to make money (even if is illegal) is the way out, at least that is what some people think and there lies the lack of education or poor foundation from childhood at home.
To change the statistics many things have to change, like the corruption in the system both public and private, it has has to stop. Maybe instead of prisons, we can build technical/trade or business schools, more support and inspirational therapy instead of drugs, promote entrepreneurship. Also we can make use of land, US is so big, put this people to work the land, teach them farming, hard work creates a strong character, and they can generate their own money to support the prisons instead of us paying for it. It may sound unrealistic, but we are already spending tons of money in the prisons, why not? If one seed can be planted maybe it would spread and created a positive chain all around.
I am in total agreement that terrible crimes like sexual predators, killers, terrorists, and heavy drug and human traffickers should be put away for life without privileges.
Good use of statistics and personal experience to support your position. I wonder sometimes if the disparity between rich and poor in the U.S.is the cause of some crimes? Is the temptation of making it big in America too much or does envy of the rich motivate people to get ahead no matter what they must to get there?
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