Realizing that jails and prisons cost state and federal governments millions of dollars each year, should that be a consideration in the length of sentences given? For your assignment, write a one-page (-300 words) paper with your reflection as it relates to the costs vs the necessity to incarcerate.
Incarceration cost tax payers many millions of dollars each year. In many instances, these dollars appear to be wasted as many inmates are ill-equipped to matriculate back into society once they are released. What ensues in a cycle recidivism in which criminals often repeat the crimes that caused them to be in prison. This ultimately results in a constant cycle of prison for many inmates. Unfortunately, the actual length of the sentence does not have a strong correlation to the overall costs. It reality, it is the behavior of the inmates that contributes heavily to prison costs. In the United States nearly 1 in 4 prisoners are repeat offenders. Of those who are not, many have very limited job prospects as many companies do not want to hire individuals with a past criminal record. As a result, many have little alternative to earn money (Andrews, 2006).
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