In 2006, inmate populations outpaced the growth rate of the previous five years but were less than annual growth rate in 1990 (Sabol & Harrison 2007). The Federal inmate populations continue to grow but at a slower rate than in previous years. Inmates under Federal jurisdictions increased by 5,428 inmates, a 2.9% growth, this rate was slower than 5.8% annual growth rate that occurred during 2000 through 2005 (Sabol & Harrison 2007). The state inmate counts increased by 37,504 inmates, a growth rate of 2.8% compared to 1.5% annual growth rate between 2000-2005 (Sabol & Harrison 2007). State inmate count grew at a faster rate the previous 5 years (Sabol & Harrison 2007). The beginning of 2008, 1596,127 adults were incarcerated in state or federal prisons an additional 723,131 in local jails. (Banks 2012).
References
Banks, C. (2012). Criminal justice ethics: Theory and practice. Sage.
Mackenzie,
D. L. (2001). Sentencing and Corrections in the 21st Century: Setting the Stage for the Future.
University of Maryland, Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Evaluation Research Group.
Sabol, W. J., Couture, H., & Harrison, P. M. (2007). Prisoners
in 2006 (pp. NCJ-219416). Washington,
DC: US Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics.
Richard,
ReplyDeleteIt is going to be interesting to see how we as a country change paradigms as the battle for legalization of marijuana continues and the fact that the prison overcrowding is just too expensive to sustain. I think we will begin to see changes in the laws regarding madatory sentencing, which according to our text is already in the works.
Marty
One possible reason for the increasing numbers could be due to the high numbers of cases going to trial resulting in convictions. It could also be the result of the mandatory sentencing laws. I might also believe that the improvements in criminalists and technology have attributed the increase in the number of convictions. The Attorney General Eric Holder has addressed this problem by recommending that mandatory sentences for low level drug violation possibly implementing more fines. Law makers should look at the laws and the sentencing that is levied against the individual and determine if incarceration is really the fit. Why not fine them and create better uses for the money that is gained from fines?
ReplyDeleteRichard: You have documented the references in your blog very well. I would like to know more about your thoughts on the topic. Professor Taylor
ReplyDeletePREA is important. Prisoners that are raped in prison is just plain wrong. I see the ethical issue in this matter lies with the procedures in the prison and the attitude of the guards. Looking the other way when the incident occurs is unethical. Guards that place prisoners in situations that they know will result in rape or encourage the act to occur should be fired and convicted of the crime. Prisons should make every effort to prevent this from occurring. It all goes back to the idea that prisoners are placed in prison as punishment. The deprivation of their freedom of movement and confined in a cell should be the extent of the punishment levied towards a prisoner. Their punishment doesn’t extend to becoming a victim of a crime punished by inmates, or be the pawns of guards. I enjoyed reading your blog Richard.
ReplyDelete