Rehabilitation of Drug Offenders - Term Paper Example

Dear Below is my reporting recommending the rehabilitation as a corrective measure to petty drug offenders asa way or easing population pressure in the US prisons. Statistics that the report referred to indicates that petty offenders as drug and substance abusers form the largest percentage of jail populations. However, apprehending petty offenders has led to an increase in jail populations that has been an upward trend since the last three decades. In the research, it came out clearly that rehabilitation is the solution to drug offenders since they only need guidance and counselling to stop their behaviours and change their life perspectives. It is also a concern if petty offenders are apprehended since they may face violence and build in the prisons that may make them more dangerous. Besides, jailing them increases their chances of repeating such crimes as opposed to rehabilitation that help them rebuild their lives and stop drug abuse. Contents Contents 2 2 Introduction 3 Findings and Discussion 3 Severity of overcrowding in prisonsns 3 Effects of overcrowding 4 Statistics and data 5 How to reduce overcrowding 6 Recommendations 7 Conclusion 7 Works Cited 8 Introduction One of the problems that prisons face is overcrowding populations hence there is a need to find alternatives. In most cases, it is the petty offenders who constitute a bigger percentage of the overcrowded populations. Thus, this technical report presents some of the alternatives to reduce populations in the US prison. Much attention is drawn on petty drug offenders who may be locked up in prison facilities though there are some places they can be taken to like. Existing data shows that the ratio of serious offenders to petty drug offenders is low thus there is a need to find a solution to these inmates with minor crimes (Carson and Daniela 16). Overcrowding is a real issue since it violates right of the inmates and has a considerate effect on the prison wardens. Besides, the taxpayers also have to pay more for keeping inmates who have become expensive to maintain. The above issues clearly indicate that effects of overcrowding in prisons has a wide scope thus this technical report has carried out a detailed research to highlight the need to handle this problem and how to handle. Therefore, the main objective of this technical report is to outline some arrangements that can be useful in reducing population in prisons. Findings and Discussion Severity of overcrowding in prisonsns Existing data shows a unique trend in prison populations. In the year 2012 for instance, around 196, 574 were sentenced to prison where 99, 426 were drug offenders, 72, 574 charged with public disorder, 11, 688 violent offenders and around 11, 568 with property theft (MacDonald et al. 1-6). From the data above, it is evident that most prisons are full of petty offenders who may be taken to rehabilitation centres and ease the population. When petty offenders get locked up in the prisons, it worsens their situation since they meet other hardcore criminals who may influence them into dangerous acts or sometimes bully them. Cases have been recorded of petty offenders committing suicide after being sentenced to prison. Rather, this population can be taken to rehabilitation centres where they are trained to become useful people in the society. Besides, other sources indicate that US prisons have expanded by almost 40% above their capacity. It is also interesting that almost half these inmates are serving for drug offences and those who abuse substances. The petty offenders are occasionally rearrested when courts revoke their supervisions for repeated crimes (MacDonald et al. 1-6). Drugs and substance abuse cases can only be handled at the rehabilitation level, and they should not got to prison for such petty offences. Effects of overcrowding Though prisons may be overwhelmed with a large number of inmates, they should note the residual effects of high inmate population. As mentioned before, overcrowding itself is a problem that arises from expanding prison populations. When there are more inmates behind bars, prison crimes are more likely to escalate. This is because the inmates form gangs and within no time rivalry arises. The result is prison wars that have always resulted in prison deaths. Drug offenders may also develop unique behaviours due to the long term effects of drug abuse (Redonna, Bennett and Nora 187). They are always anxious and quick to anger. Locking petty offenders up behind bars makes them become more violent posing danger to fellow inmates and the prison wardens. Overcrowding also leads to a high rate of recidivism since drug offenders are often given short jail terms and within no time they are back into the streets. Overcrowding also has the effect on the countrys economy. The resources used to maintain these prisoners are from the taxpayers who have to dig more into their pockets to maintain a growing population in the American prisons. The government can release its citizens from this burden by reducing number of petty offenders and mostly convict violent offenders. In 1989, there was a legal case that did address overcrowding as unusual and cruel punishment. Double-celling is an effect of overcrowding since inmates are entitled to certain level of personal space. On the other hand, overpopulation also has an effect on the prison management as they are working under stressful environments that cause more problems to the prison. Nonetheless, prison officials are also affected by the overpopulation since they are psychologically exposed to stressful situations (Carson and Daniela 4-9). These people also develop traits similar to distressed inmates. It is, therefore, clear that overcrowding not only affects the inmates, but also the management that has to protect and serve the needs of the prisoners. By developing alternatives to ease, numbers behind bars prison management and the society will be released from a huge burden. Statistics and data In the year 2012, USA had 196, 574 locked in cells and 99, 426 were drug offenders indicating that they constituted exactly half of the total number of prisoners. The graphs below also show some trends in the US inmates that are also worth noting. Figure 1 shows that populations in these prisons have been increasing since the year 1980. In fact, it shows a steady increase from the old days to recent times when the country has been facing the biting effects of overcrowding in the prisons. The trend after every five years shows that numbers have been swelling thus effects of overcrowding are also eminent. United States also has the highest number of inmates according to statistics thus the country needs to tackle this problem with utmost urgency (Hough et al. 47-163). Figure shows projections of inmates from various countries and puts USA in the forefront. Figure 1: number of inmates since 1980 to 2009 Figure 2: inmates per 100, 000 population In the year 2013, 46.8 % were serving for the drug offense. Such offences included drug and substance abuse like marijuana and crystal meth abuse or possession. The table below also shows some statistics showing convicted drug offenders since the year 1980 (Carson and Daniela 4-9). Combined with the other statistics, it is clear that the US prisons contain mostly contain petty offenders. Thus, it is imperative to outline measures for reducing population by first reconsidering the seriousness of petty offences. How to reduce overcrowding Rehabilitation is a prerequisite for depopulated the overcrowding prisons in the USA. One way of reducing overcrowding is by reviewing sentences of the petty offenders. These inmates should be given short possible sentences (Albrecht 4). Other sources suggest a review of the justice system whereby judges will be given more powers to decide on the jail terms. The judicial system is based on the constitution that recognises petty offenders like drug use, possession or trafficking as a serious offence. The sentencing requirement as per the constitution should also be lowered. It states that anyone convicted have to serve around 85 % of his or her jail term. This should be reduced as away of creating more room and space in the prisons. Special attention should also be given to minor drugs like crack. Such offenders should have least jail term possible. Besides, accreditation for good behaviours is necessary to reduce prison populations. However, rehabilitations are the best alternatives to drug or petty offenders. Recommendations From the secondary research above, it is evident that USA keeps a good number of minor offenders. These inmates flock prisons while they should be in corrective and rehabilitation centres. It is highly advisable that the government should look at the cost-effectiveness of keeping petty offenders in prisons as opposed to taking them to rehabilitation centres. This research strongly recommends rehabilitation as a major way of reducing crowding in prisons. Petty drug offenders need psychological counselling rather than being locked up in prisons for crimes they will still commit after leaving prison. By convicting the offenders, the judicial system just maintains a cycle of prisoners who serve their jail term and will own up to the same crime after they leave corridors of justice (Albrecht 3-7). On the other hand, the prisons must develop programs to reduce recidivism that mainly focus on rehabilitating prisoners. Education programmes aimed at creating drug and substance abuse are necessary. States should adapt the new culture of providing drug offenders with life skills that will enable prisoners develop good behaviours upon leaving rehabilitation centres. Conclusion In summary, the United States leads in the number of inmates since its judicial system recognises these offences are serious crimes. However, this has led to overcrowding in prisons that also has negative effects on inmates themselves. Overpopulation in prisons not only affects inmates who may face bullying or develop dangerous behaviours, but also becomes a burden for the taxpayers. It is, therefore, necessary to develop alternatives to ease crowding in cells. One of the most effective way is rehabilitation of drug offenders since they simply need psychological support like counselling. Such programs will ensure drug offenders are encouraged on their view of life and that they do not develop recidivism that has also been a leading cause of prison-overcrowding. Works Cited Albrecht, Hamb, “Prison overcrowding: finding effective solutions. Strategies and best practices against overcrowding in correctional facilities”. 2010. Online. www.unafei.or.jp/english/pdf/Congress_2010/13Hans-Jorg_Albrecht.pdf Carson, E. Ann, and Daniela Golinelli. Prisoners in 2012: Advance Counts. US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2013. Chandler, Redonna K., Bennett W. Fletcher, and Nora D. Volkow. "Treating drug abuse and addiction in the criminal justice system: improving public health and safety." JAMA 301.2 (2009): 183-190. Hough J. M. et al. Tackling prison overcrowding: Build more prisons? Sentence fewer offenders? New York: Policy Press, 2008. Print. MacDonald, Morag, et al. "The impact of overcrowding", International Journal of Prisoner Health, 8.1 (2012), pp 1-6. Read More