Which Criminology Account Best Represents the Causes of Mass Imprisonment - Essay Example

Which CRIMINOLOGICAL ACCOUNT best represents the causes of mass imprisonment? and Section # of Mass imprisonment is a situation which many countries around the world have been facing for the past few years. The overcrowding of jails and the increase in the penal population has risen and is supported my numerous factors and changes in the legal scenario worldwide in over the century. There are several crimes for which individuals are subjected to imprisonment, these include theft, homicide, various forms of violence, rape and many others, but the most common cause of mass imprisonment is believed to be associated with drug abuse paired with the tough on crime legislations which were introduced to deal with the situation. This paper will look examine drugs under criminology and explain how the various legislations introduced have caused resulted in drugs becoming a crucial contributing factor in the rise in imprisonment, which has now become mass imprisonment. Mass imprisonment refers to the profound build up of jails in a country. In the United States prior to the 1970s the incarceration rate was at the stable average of one hundred ten people per one hundred thousand populations. This changed in the early 1970s as the rate begin to increase every year (Knepper, 2007). The same increase in jail inmates was seen across the world but compared to the European countries the imprisonment rate in the United States is found to be almost six times higher (Knepper, 2007). A look at the historical rate of imprisonment in the United States alone reveals that in the 1970s the country witnessed economic recession which was paired with a great number of imprisonments as the number of the prison population went from 96 out of 100,000 to 133 out of 100,000. It was assumed that the economic situation contributes significantly and had some relation with the increasing number of inmates. It was later discovered that even the betterment of the economic situation did not reduce the number of inmates. The rate of imprisonment worldwide was still on increase (Lynch, 2007). As the government took actions to deal with crime the crime rates went down as the length of the sentences increased and tougher crime control policies were introduced (Lynch, 2007). Such policies were not only introduced in the United States but also in various European countries where there was a need to curb the crime situation. Prisons and jails are institutions which are established to ensure justice and hold individuals who are responsible for breaking laws (Western, 2007). The prison booms around the world are generally attributed to the increase in crime in the particular country. It is believed that the prime cause of mass imprisonment, despite other reasons, is crime (Western, 2007). The imprisonment rate was observed to increase since 1975 as the prison population increased every year for a period of twenty eight years and by the year 2003 it was estimated that nearly 2.1 million inmates made up the penal population of the country (Western, 2007). Schools suspensions, juvenile halls, warning from police, commitment from adult courts, conviction and probation were all generally used as means for incarceration prior to the jail boom situation. Only the serious criminal cases such as those of violent offenders and career criminals were subjected to the criminal punishment which landed them in jail (Western, 2007). The penal system in a country is usually divided into three systems, the local, state and the federal jurisdiction system. It is observed that the local or the county jails make up approximately one-third of the penal population and comprises mostly of those defendants who are awaiting trial and those with petty criminal charges, serving a period of less than a year. The state and federal prisons house nearly two-thirds of the penal population. Most of these individuals are charged with felony and are serving a period of a year or more. A majority of those criminals are charged with crimes which are violent or property and drug crimes. Some of these criminals are held in state facilities. This lot mostly comprises of those charged with homicide, rape, robbery and mostly property and drug offenders (Western, 2007). The mass imprisonment situation was not planned; it was in fact an unforeseen situation for which the world’s legislative policy makers are held responsible. The mass imprisonment situation is emerged as a result of the decisions made for determinate sentencing, campaign against drugs and the tough on crime politics approach (Knepper, 2007). It is believed by some that particularly in the United States the enthusiasm for mass imprisonment has roots other than the politics of crime control. It is viewed more as a form of “race control” than crime control, as revealed by the huge number of African American population in the country’s jails (Knepper, 2007). Factors such as mandatory minimum sentences, truth in sentencing guidelines and the three strike policies have contributed greatly to the increase in imprisonment over the years. The increase in the number of imprisonments is owed to the growing legislations around the world concerned with drugs. One such legislation, the war on drugs has various sentencing schemes associated with it (Ruddell, 2004). There are three key factors which are generally believed to be responsible for the mass imprisonment. Firstly it is the change in the political culture, which introduced the “populist punitiveness” which emerged to counter the high rates of crime. This also encouraged the prison sentences for those detained on such charges. Some Northern American countries implemented the three strikes approach was one such measure taken, under which those convicted for three offenses were sentenced for long periods of incarceration (Innes, 2003). The campaign against drugs was designed to deal with the drug problem in various countries and was backed by the justice system which provided a limitless number of arrestable and imprisonable offenders (Innes, 2003). Ronald Regan’s war on drugs significantly impacted the imprisonment policies giving rise to the penal population across the country. These policies replaced rehabilitation with punishment giving rise to the prison boom (Boseworth, 2009). The Unites States presents an example of how drugs are used as criminal accounts contributing to mass imprisonment. The war on drugs was originally initiated in the 1980s and is responsible for the highest number of arrests and prison sentences in the United States. In 2002 the drug offenders made up almost 57 percent of the total individuals prosecuted. This pushed the rate of imprisonment for drugs greatly from the 1920s and the 1970s. it was determined that the most of the drug offense related imprisonments were from minority groups which consisted of African Americans, Latinos and women, as compared to the white population(Ruddell, 2004). The sentences associated with drug offense are harsh and on average range from a period of 81 months from mere possession. Punishment for drug was equated almost to that of homicide as one of the measures taken in the war on drugs. This resulted in a number of individuals being confined in state prisons. In 2002 almost half of the state prison population was serving on accounts of drugs and other related charges. Imprisonments for drug charges have sent millions to jails across the country (Ruddell, 2004). The war on drugs was waged against those drugs which are more common in the minorities (Hudson, 2003). The changed drug related sanctions not only pushed many minorities into jails but also brought a huge chunk of the juvenile population into adult jails. It was seen that during this time the focus shifted more from control of drugs to punishment as the government chose to deal harshly with offenders. During this same period the reasons and conditions for confinement increased. The rehabilitative nature of correction eventually became replaced by punishment and sentences (Boseworth, 2009). Drug abuse in the modern times has taken on a new culture and has gained popularity particularly with the youth. The trend is visible in the all classes of the society as it has trickled down from the upper classes to the lower class. In most countries the possession and the transfer of illegal drugs is a crime therefore any individual using or acquiring such substances does so by using illegal means such as property crimes and other such forms of crime which are committed under the influence of drugs. Since drugs are illegal both the buyer and seller of drugs are also engaged in illegal acts (Hurwitz & Christiansen, 1983). The issue of drugs is one of the most common challenges facing our society. Both the supply and demand of illegal drugs is a considered a crime. Over a period of tie various methods have been used to monitor and control the flow of drugs. Some of the drugs have been legalized where are there are many others such as opium and cannabis which were labeled illegal. The law and police took over the control of such abusive substances in the in the 1920s and more and more laws were established in support of the illegal drug control efforts to determine which drugs were permissible and which were prohibited(Carrabine, 2004). According to the ‘How Goes the “War on Drugs: An Assessment of the U.S. Drug Problems and Policy’ (2005), Illegal drugs is believed to be a $60 million industry which is patronized by over 16 million Americans. Drugs have always been one of the main concerns as far as the legal problems in the country are concerned. This was one of the serious concerns of the population in the country, as a result of which the government introduced numerous legislations to control the problem at hand. The severe response to drug offense included probation for any form of possession or use of cocaine, heroin, marijuana and other such substances. Many Acts have been introduced to curb the illegal drug issue both at local and national levels since drugs are viewed as a problem for the entire society. Both those using them and those around the offenders are at risk. The Crime Disorder Act of 1998 was one such Act which was introduced to with the agenda to assist the law and police in countering the illegal drug problem in order to manage the abuse and drug dealing (Carrabine, 2004). Criminology in the case of drugs is primarily concerned with the direct and indirect connection of illegal drugs with crime as it looks at the offender’s offense against the criminal codes as well as their connection with other crimes both serious and ordinary. A report in an American investigation showed that most of the individuals concerned with illegal drugs were a part of minor and harmless crimes where as a small percentage was arrested and charged with rape and other forms of brutal assaults(Hurwitz & Christiansen, 1983). There have been numerous reports which reveal that there is a relation between drugs and other forms of crime. Burglary, shoplifting, forms of violence and gun crimes are all associated to some extent with drugs. There were legal concerns about the “turf wars” and the acts of violence which were carried out by drug dealers and drug offenders. It was also found that those using illegal drugs such as heroin and crack were also involved in other forms of serious crime in order to financially fund their addiction (Carrabine, 2004). The drug market also provides opportunities for the criminals to sell a valuable commodity in the illicit economy. This is carried out like most forms of legal business, but unlike those businesses where issues are resolved in courts, drug business related issues usually result in crime in the form of murder (Carrabine, 2004). Drugs are possessed by individuals in all classes. Due to their availability and the low prices drugs such as cocaine is common in the streets as a popular choice for minorities. Drugs similar to cocaine known as crack is widely popular in the middle class particularly college students. The availability and crimes associated with these drugs gave rise to the war on drugs. The state introduces sever penalties for possession of such drugs based on which those holding would be charges at a 1:100 ratio, meaning that for every gram of the drug possessed the holder would be charged for 100 grams. Those charged were therefore sent for lengthy sentences (Ruddell, 2004). The worldwide campaign against drugs sent soaring figures of young adults to jails. As a result of these policies many individuals particularly minorities in a country are said to spent time in jails. It is estimated that in case of the United States almost 29 percent of the black males can expect to serve at least one year in jail for drug related offenses. Similarly the African American women, Hispanic females as well as white females are sent to prison (Summer, 2004). It is believed that the mass imprisonment practice is used to contain minority populations. It is argued that there are strategies devised against the minorities’ through aggressive policies. It is believed that even the war on drugs is one such strategy which is responsible for sending many minorities to jail. Mass imprisonment as an extrapolation of the minority groups is a separate argument, but it is nonetheless a result of the drug offense control efforts (Hudson, 2003). To avoid discrimination brought on with the above mentioned policy against the minorities similar sanctions were introduced for the white counterparts; this further increased the source of inmates in prisons (Ruddell, 2004). According to the Federal Bauru of Investigation report titled ‘Crime in the United States’, it was stated that approximately 117,286 juveniles were arrested by the local and state law enforcement agencies for drug abuse violations in 2006(Bickerstaff, 2009). In most countries while dealing with the juveniles, there are mostly not treated in adult courts but there are certain cases in which the felony becomes classified as a Class A felony which are dealt which more seriously. Those convicted of Class A felonies are taken to adult courts and receive the same sentences as adults or blended sentences according to which until a certain age they are confined in juvenile facilities and then transferred to adult prisons after a particular age (Bickerstaff, 2009). It can be concluded that out of the criminology accounts, drug abuse is the one which greatly contributes to the phenomenon of mass imprisonment. Drugs are one of the largest issues facing the country. There were many acts which were passed to deal with the issue of drug abuse and to control the buying and selling of drugs. The countries’ government’s tough policies on dealing with crime have led more and more individuals to jail and research has shown that in most cases drugs are common causes for sentences. It can also be concluded that illegal drugs also result in other forms of crimes such as theft, robbery, property crimes and even rape and murder which also result in a greater number of felons being sent to prison. Criminals charged with drug offenses include both males and females and individuals from all social classes and income groups, however a majority of the individuals imprisoned for such offenses are minorities. The imprisonment of minorities has given rise to the issue of mass imprisonment. References Western B (2007) Punishment and Inequality in America. Russell Sage Foundation. Knepper P (2007). Criminology and social policy. SAGE Ruddell R (2004). America behind bars: trends in imprisonment, 1950 to 2000. LFB Scholarly Publishing LLC Boseworth M (2009). Explaining U.S. Imprisonment. SAGE. Innes M (2003). Understanding social control: deviance, crime and social order. McGraw-Hill International Hudson B (2003). Understanding justice: an introduction to ideas, perspectives, and controversies in modern penal theory. McGraw-Hill International Caulkins, JP (2005). How Goes the “War on Drugs: An Assessment of the U.S. Drug Problems and Policy. Rand Corporation. Summer, C ( 2004). The Blackwell companion to criminology. Wiley-Blackwell Lynch MJ (2007). Big prisons, big dreams: crime and the failure of Americas penal system. Rutgers University Press Bickerstaff L (2009). Cocaine: Coke and the War on Drugs. The Rosen Publishing Group Carrabine E (2004). Criminology: A Sociological Introduction. Routledge Hurwitz S & Christiansen KO (1983). Criminology. Fairleigh Dickinson Univ Press Read More