Correctional Institutions - Essay Example

Correctional Criminology major Introduction Corrections generally use one of the three basic models of administration and management: an authoritarian model, a bureaucratic model, or a participative model. However, in practice, a correctional agency often uses a mixed model (Clemmer 78). Nonetheless, in the course of their duties, correctional managers are faced with various problems. This normally occurs during supervision of daily operations of the institution. Some problems include correctional philosophies such as retribution and rehabilitation, and the way to achieve them, adherence to law, threats to institutional safety, and coping with politics revolving around the institution is vital (Clemmer 79). In general, correctional managers have enormous managerial problems. Duties of correctional managers Correctional managers are mandated to oversee attainment of institution’s mission and objectives. They are supposed to lead other institution officers in ensuring intended services are delivered accordingly (Mays and Winfree 276). In particular, correctional institutions provide services relating to the bodily and psychological health of criminals as well as educational and vocational programs. In essence, rehabilitation programs are very vital in assisting prisoners realize and correct their actions. They not only offer the prisoners with remedial measures but also provide them with some skills and training that enable them secure a job or set up businesses after they leave the prison (Mays and Winfree 277). These programs are designed in such a way that the prisoner is enlightened of the benefits of good conduct. They act as a link between the prisoners and the public. The institutional management has to ensure that the institutions adhere to these functions. In the effort to deliver their services accordingly, correctional managers have the authority to use different leadership styles. Authority is a tool used to get tasks completed toward fulfillment of the organization’s functions. In this regard, correctional managers have the authority to make decisions pertaining institution functions. However, sometime it becomes difficult for correctional managers to arrive at the conclusion on different issues related to making of decisions due to the mode of organization (Langan and David109). In order to evaluate specific policy or policies to put into effect to manage a certain problem, it would be essential to first indentify the problem. The following section analyzes an issue that faces correctional managers today. Overcrowding in prison Due to increase in crimes in the past decades, criminals have been arrested and incarcerated. This has led to prison overcrowd. Prison overcrowding is one of the biggest problems both to the prisoners and the correctional management (Langan and David102). Perhaps, it would be necessary to assess the dangers of prison overcrowding in order to have a clear picture of the burden it pauses to both the prisoners and the prison management. Firstly, under health perspective, overcrowding of people in any given places poses a great threat to their health (Langan and David104). One of the most notable risks involves outbreak and spread of airborne diseases. Incase of an incident of, for example, tuberculosis, the rest of prisoners are at high risk of contracting the disease. The risk does not only count to the prisoners, but also to the prison officers manning the institution. There is also a risk of emergence and spread of skin diseases. Moreover, with the current trend of HIV/AIDS, it is very risky to overcrowded prisoners. Studies have indicated prevalence of sexual related abuses in prisons, with sodomy, rape, lesbianism, and homosexuality being cited to be common in prisons (Clemmer 84). In this regard, overcrowded prisons are more prone to these sexual activities, which are associated with the spread of HIV/AIDS. Therefore, the correctional institutional management has the responsibility of instilling measures to curb the menace. At the same time, overcrowded prisons are prone to criminal activities. One of the most notable crimes in such overcrowded prisons is violence (Clemmer 85). Some prisoners become violent especially in overcrowded prisons. They relieve their anger and desperation by resorting to violence. Some of them end up committing murder and suicide. Analytically, inmates are viewed as societal outcasts, convicted of violating the norms and laws that guide conventional behavior and contribute to civilization. Additionally, the criminal justice system is seen by prisoners as patently unfair, for example, sentencing disparities and the prevalence of plea bargaining. As a result, prisons house individuals who are angry and frustrated, and who feel they were not dealt with justly and fairly (Clemmer 86). However, besides feeling unjustly treated, prisoners come from a variety of racial, ethnic, social, educational, and cultural backgrounds. Their criminal histories and crime of choice are widely varied. Therefore, it becomes logical to them that violence is the order of the day. The latest statistics show that, within the state and federal facilities in fiscal year 1999-2000, there were 34, 355 inmate assaults, while another 17, 952 inmates assaults on staff. Policies to put in place to reduce prison overcrowding Prison overcrowding has a variety of logical explanations. The underlying analysis could be argued to be an increase in criminal activities, in the society (Feeley and Jonathan 135). Therefore, in order to effectively deal with this problem, there is the need to look at issues that lead to people commit crime, and find solutions to them. The other analysis or the cause of prisons overcrowding is related to the criminal justice system (Feeley and Jonathan 135). The following two sections would be applicable in the effort to reduce prisons overcrowding. Reduce crimes in the society There are various theories that explain why people commit crime and how to counteract criminal activities in the society. One of these theories is labeling theory. Beckers labeling theory defines deviance as breach or violation of some agreed-upon rules and regulations. The theory also goes further to inquire who breaks the rule and tends to search for factors that that instigate to break the rules (Gottfredson, and Hirschi, (2001). In this regard, as an administrator of a correctional institution, and having the knowledge of labeling theory, I would recommend that the government initiate institutions and programs that would offer crime avoidance strategies to citizens. These programs may incorporate other local based associations such as schools, churches and sports clubs. These programs should emphasize on harmonious co-existence among the members of the community, the importance of avoiding criminal activities, and the need to desist from crime. These programs may incorporate counseling services. Counselors would offer counseling services to individuals and groups. Many people commit crime due to issues relating to their daily life hardships while others commit crime due to some mental and psychological disorders (Clemmer 89). In light with this, psychiatrists and counselors would help such people by providing psychological and emotional support. On the other hand, some people commit crime due to minor disagreements with others. It would be necessary if the government considered setting up community based dispute tribunals, which would resolve such minor cases. They should also be designed in such a way that they can act as mediators for reconciling criminal and victims. With such measure being put in place, it is apparent that the rate of crime would reduce, thus, reducing prison overcrowding. However, if complex and serious crimes are committed, the criminals may be arrested and incarcerated. Restructuring the criminal justice system The current criminal justice system is complex and plays a part in causing overcrowding in prisons. Firstly, it is apparent that prison overcrowding is an indication that prisons have less space for the increased number of prisoners (Langan and David108). Therefore, my first recommendation would be to increase the number of prisons. Prisons with enough space enable the management to carryout their duties with minimum problems. It reduces risks of outbreaks and spread of diseases, and prevalence of violence is reduced, as well. On the other hand, the increase of prisoners should go hand in hand with the increase of prison officers (Langan and David108). A workable ratio of prisoners to prison staff should be maintained. High authority should come up with a ratio that would be efficient for the running of the institution. When the number of prisoners exceeds the number of prison staff, then there are problems with managing the institution. Although criminals need to be punished according to the law, there is a need for criminal justice system to evaluate their categories and severity. For example, I would recommend that the judicial system come up with more programs that would help deal with small cases. These should be in terms of probation and parole programs. These programs should be well funded and equipped with qualified officers who would oversee smooth running. Another important issue to look at involves bureaucracy and organizational behavior in correctional institutions. Bureaucratic organizational form gives the institution its stability. Generally, correctional institutions use a bureaucratic mode of organization, where the chief administrator sits at the top, and has general authority over and responsibility for everyone below (Langan and David112). However, managers and their staff take on more specific authority and responsibility for different functions in the institution. In this regard, as a manager of the institution, I would set a maximum number of prisoners to be managed in my institution. My proposal would include a plan to transfer excess prisoners to less congested prisons. I would communicate this to the higher authorities with a clear explanation of the course of action. However, that would be under the given bureaucratic organization in regard to available protocol in the institution. Nonetheless, given that no additional staff and funds are availed to help reduce overcrowding, I would use my leadership traits to lead my fellow staff in managing the institution with its current overcrowded status. One of measures to take would involve offering of additional counseling services to the prisoners. This would be done with an aim of trying to reduce incidences of problems associated with overcrowding. For example, I would ensure that prisoners are well informed of consequences associated with their actions as well as advantages of good conduct. I would also ensure that prisoners who posses a threat of any kind to other prisoners is isolated from the others. This may include categories of prisoners with violent behavior, sick prisoners, and those that may require special attention like mentally ill or disabled. At the same time, it is worth noting that some prisoners get agitated depending on how the prison officers handle them. In this regard, I would urge my colleagues to handle prisoners in a professional way. Use of leadership qualities such as communication skills and negotiation skills would highly be encouraged in order to avoid any provocation to the prisoners. I would also encourage implementation of a variety of recreational, educational, and vocational programming to provide a change of scenery, release stress, stimulate minds through positive social interaction, and simply break up the day. Conclusion Correctional managers are mandated to oversee attainment of institution’s mission and objectives. In the effort to deliver their services accordingly, correctional managers have the authority to use different leadership styles. They have the authority to make decisions pertaining institution functions. Prison overcrowding is one of the biggest problems not only to the prisoners, but also to the correctional management. Prison overcrowding is caused by the increase in criminal activities in the society and issues related to criminal justice system. As a manager of a correctional institution, I would recommend that the government initiate institutions and programs that would offer crime avoidance strategies to citizens. Given that no additional staff and funds are availed to help reduce overcrowding, I would use my leadership traits to lead my fellow staff in managing the institution with its current overcrowded status. Works cited: Gottfredson, Michael and Hirschi, Travis. A general theory of crime. Stanford, Calif. Stanford Univ. Press, 2001. Print. Feeley, Malcolm and Jonathan, Simon. “The New Penology: Notes on the Emerging Strategy of Corrections and Its Implications.” Criminology, 1992, 30: 134-145. Langan, Patrick and David, Levin. Recidivism of Prisoners Released in 1994. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, 2002. Print. Clemmer, Donald. The Prison Community. New York: Rinehart, 1958. Print. Mays, Larry and Winfree, Latham. Essentials of Corrections. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning, 2009. Print. Whitehead, John; Braswell, Michael and Jones, Mark. Exploring corrections in America. Newark, N.J.: LexisNexis Matthew Bender, 2008. Print. Read More