Corrections/Police - Criminal Justice Contemporary Problems Within

Corrections/Police - Criminal Justice

Contemporary problems within the U.S. correctional system

The rate of lock ups has greatly increased in America at a rate that is higher than most developed nations around the world. According to the human rights watch article, privately run services spiked up in the year 2000 due to the fact that federal prison systems were extremely overcrowded housing more prisoners than any other country in the world. The cost of operating a prison has also become costly. A few years ago, prisoner maintenance averaged around $9,439 a year per prisoner for adult prison and $7,041 for adult jails. These figures exceeded by $20,000 per prisoner in a few states. Construction cost per bed ranged from $25,000 to $50,000. This meant that tax payers had to part with $5 billion construction bill for 800 local state and central institutions (Fangmeier A. Robert, 2012)

Racial discrimination also clearly exists within the prison system: According to the bureau of justice statistics on December 31st 2005, there were 3,145 black male inmates per 100,000 black males compared to 471 white male inmates out of 100,000 white males and 1,244 Hispanic male inmates per 100,000 Hispanic males. This issue has caused great effects especially when it comes to the voting issue. According to a report by the sentencing project, out of nine states one in four black men can never vote again since they were convicted of felony which is a direct ticket to losing ones voting rights.

The Human Rights Watch also found out that many inmates have limited opportunities for treatment, education, work counseling or even training; hence, they find themselves in hopeless situations and often become violent. As the number of inmates in the prison system increases, prisoner on prisoner sexual abuse is also on the rise. This may later bring about physical effects like contracting HIV / AIDS or psychological effects like losing ones self-esteem thereby increasing cases of violence (Oracle Education Foundation, 2012)

Drug law propositions that could make a positive mark in correction centers is making the drug issue a public health problem rather than a criminal justice problem; this should be done in such away that use of drugs should be decriminalized and treated as the health issue its supposed to be. However, this does not mean that all drugs should be legalized because it would be impossible to do that.

Most correctional facilities are not conducive for human beings since they are overcrowded. More so, non-violent and violent criminals are dumped in one cell making it unfair for the non-violent offenders who eventually are programmed to become violent. Violence has been accepted as a fact in prisons even by the prison staff themselves. 'Alternatives for violence' programs are currently being conducted by the staff and inmates. The prison authorities should closely work with the prisoners to allow transformation and show them how much valuable they are and how much they are needed in the society. Rehabilitation is good but correctional centers should not merely rely on just rehabilitating but the inmates should also be encouraged to be part of the restoration justice movement which is in place. Not all offenders are willing to transform; therefore, prisons become part of a restorative justice system to such. (Lozoff Bo, 2012)

Housing for inmates is also a matter that should be delved into such that the older and more experienced prisoners should not be mixed with young offenders since the older ones prey on the younger ones since this gives the older ones the opportunity to register the young ones into criminal jail gangs. Wardens and correctional administrators should undergo continuous inspections as well as allow public scrutiny to ensure minimal abuse against inmates.

Officer burnout comes as a result of the hectic lifestyle of an officer. Massive stress coupled with work and the constant demands to be met contribute to the burn out. I t does not occur instantly but comes on gradually and can cause physical or mental distress. Symptoms differ from one person to the other but fatigue is common to all.

Courts decisions of sentencing inmates to serve a long-term in jail leaves the wardens with carefree attitude and use this time to punish inmates (Fangmeier A. Robert, 2012). The other implication is the large population of even petty offenders being sent to prisons juts on the grounds of being repeat offenders hence the crowding.

According to the scenario given a chance to talk to the supervisor, I would immediately let him know that having established the challenges faced in the prisons, the solution would not be to run away but to help facilitating the reforms that are needed, being that he is in the highest position within the institution.