Issues In Corrections - Research Paper Example

In America, prisons are overcrowded with a large number of people from different races and cultures. Statistics and researches show that America has the highest number of prisoners in the world. Vicini (2006) states, “The U.S. incarceration rate of 737 per 100,000 people in the highest, followed by 611 in Russia and 547 for St. Kitts and Nevis”. Almost 25 percent of the world’s total imprisoned population belongs to the United States of America, which is really a very high percentage. Some prisons are overcrowded as much as 33 percent higher than their actual capacities (Montaldo, n.d.).

On the other hand, the number of prisons in the United States is not big enough to meet the requirements of the incarcerated population. A couple of issues associated with overcrowding include increased costs and less number of proficient prison officers. Increased Costs An increased cost of prison management is one of the major problems associated with the issue of overcrowding or overpopulation in the American correctional system. It is a fact that, in prisons, costs increase with increase in the number of people incarcerated in the prisons.

Costs, which include provision of appropriate living conditions, proper meal, and clothing of the prisoners, exceed the normal budgeted cost when the number of prisoners exceeds the calculated number of total prisoners a prison can accommodate. It is very big issue in the United States because it puts a direct impact on the overall economy of the country. Less Number of Prison Officers Another issue associated with overcrowding in prisons is the availability of professional prison officers. The problem is that a prison is sometimes unable to find proficient officers when the demand for officers increases.

This gives rise to the issue of delayed and improper rehabilitation of the prisoners. Overcrowding gives rise to violence in prisons. Overcrowding also creates stress and tension among the prisoners. Prison officers have the responsibility to take care of the prisoners’ activities and rehabilitation process. When less experienced officers are hired to manage the prisoners, rehabilitation process is affected and prisoners do not get the facilities that they need to develop good behaviors. How to Overcome the Issue of Overcrowding Let us now discuss the ways, which can be used to overcome the issue of overcrowding associated with the American correctional system.

First, the administration should take steps to reduce noise pollution caused due to overcrowding. Carpet and acoustic tiles should be used instead of hard surface floors. Cushioned chairs and wall decorations can also be used in the correctional settings to reduce noise. Housing units should be built within the prison areas, which should accommodate 6 to 7 prisoners instead of accommodating 40 to 50 prisoners in a single unit. Increase in the number of private prisons is also an outcome of overpopulation in the state and federal prisons.

In America, the number of private prisons is increasing because the state and federal prisons are being unable to meet the requirements and costs of holding large number of prisoners. To reduce the costs of prison management, proper training and rehabilitation centers should be built which should be able to eradicate negative behaviors and promote positive behaviors among the prisone