Essay On Corrections Reform

Reforming the Current U.S. Corrections System In the United States, the corrections system is a network of agencies that administer a jurisdiction's prisons and community-based programs. It is responsible for implement the punishment for a convicted offender. This can range from being on probation to serving years in prison. The current system has evolved to meet the demands of society for the past centuries. While the current system does a semi-decent job, it can be changed in order to be more effective and efficient.
Reform 1 Of the changes that can be made to the correctional system, the first is to provide the medical treatment for the offender instead of incarnating them. In some cases, incarcerating a person is not always the most
effective option in long term. A larger portion of offenders who are currently incarcerated have an addition to a substance and/or a serve mental illness/disorder. These people are often not getting the proper treatment for their addiction or mental illness/disorder while in prison. It can also be said that “persons with severe mental disorders are overrepresented in jails and prisons in the United States” (Lamberti, Weisman, & Faden, 2004). The same can be said for those who suffer from addiction and are serving a prison sentence. By implanting a policy that focused more on medical treatment for offender with addiction and/or a mental disorder, it will be more effective overall. For instance, incarceration can be an effective means to prevent someone from committing a crime again, but it does not work for everyone. Addicts and people with mental disorders may not always benefit from severing time since they have not learned how to cope in the real world because they did not get the proper medical treatment they need. If the offender gets the proper treatment to manage their addiction or mental disorder, they can better function in society and are less likely to commit the crime again. By implementing a treatment first approach to offender with addiction and/or a mental disorder, the corrections system can be more effective and efficient. As a result of this, people will be sentenced to rehabilitation and mental health centers instead of a prison sentence. This approach will give the person a push to get better with the help of medical professionals. These professionals will offer coping and management skills/tools to the offender, so that they are able to function in society without committing a crime. Also, it will help to reduce the amount of people who are incarcerated, since a larger portion of people in prison are suffering from addiction and/or a severe mental disorder. In turn, money that is spent on maintaining those who are incarcerated can be spent on other programs like health care or education. The overall goal of this reform is to assist the offender in overcoming their addiction/mental disorder with the aid of medical treatment instead of being sentenced to x about of years in prison.
Reform 2 Another reform that should be implemented is that of the three strikes law.
For most cases, the three strikes law “mandated minimum sentences of 25 years or longer for affected offenders” (Lee, 2017) for people who have been previously convicted of 2 crimes. The intent for this law was to control/prevent crime by hoping that these harsh sentencing laws will prevent people from committing crime. While the intention of the law was good, the effective of it was not. People are being sentenced to life in prison for a crime that would not necessarily be warranted for that sentence originally because they had committed 2 prior crimes. This law has also led “to a significant increase in the nation's already swollen prison population” (“10 Reasons to Oppose "3 Strikes, You're Out,'” 2017) since more and more people are being sentenced to longer prison terms. As a result, this puts more pressure on taxpayers as they are ultimately paying to keep these offenders in prison. In order to reform this law and the corrections system, the strikes in the three strikes law should be limited to only violent crimes— murder, rape and sexual assault, robbery, and assault. This will lead to fewer people being convicted for 25 years to life sentences for crimes that do not equal that sentence. In addition, it will help reduce the amount of people who are incarcerated in the United States and the impact that has on society as a
whole. Due to the reform of the three strikes law, makes the correctional system more fair, effective, and efficient.
For instance, people will be sentenced to prison sentences that are more appropriate to the crime they had convicted. It will also give more sentencing discretion back to the judges when determining an offender’s prison sentence. Because of the three strikes law, judges are required to give the mandatory minimum sentence for a crime. Ultimately, this reform will regulate which crimes count as a strike against the offender and to ensure they are being given appropriate prison sentences for the crimes that they are
committing.
Reform 3 A crucial change to the corrections system that needs to be made is that of programs to help offenders transition back into society and can help reduce the rate of recidivism. There are few programs that are available to prisoners to help transition them back into the community and to prevent recidivism. According to Beck, “it is not uncommon for 62% of released prisoners to be rearrested within three years and 41% to be reincarcerated” (Mellow & Christian, 2008, p. 340-341). Many of these people struggle to function in society after being released and often return to their old habits. As a result, the correctional system needs to implement programs that prepare the offender to re-enter society before being released from prison. There also needs to be programs that helps recently released offenders transition back into society and avoid illegal activities. These types of programs will equip prisoner with the various tools and skills needed to function in society after being isolated from it for an extended period of time. In addition, it will teach them how to find employment, housing, support groups, etc. and how to avoid things that may cause them to turn to illegal activities. By introducing these programs during the prison sentence, they offender will have a better grasp of the skills/tools and will be able to implement them into their life after release. Also, the program for offenders after release will ensure that the person is following through with the terms of their release and how to better themselves. With the implementation of reentry and/or transitional programs for offenders before and after release, it affects various people/institutions. Prisons and other correctional facilities will be required to offer offenders who are up for release classes/programs that will help them prepare for reentry into society. In additions, community must establish programs that will continue to help offenders once they are released from prison. As a result of these programs, they will not only assist offender with transitioning back into society, but create job openings for counselors, social workers, etc. There will be a need for professionals who can guide the offenders while they prepare to and/or reentry the community. Overall, the goal of the reform is to provide offenders with the skill and tools to successfully transition back into society and reduce their chances of recidivism. As society changes, the correctional system must adapt to meet the needs of the offenders and society as a whole. Policies are often vague and can be interpreted differently, therefore people are not receiving proper sentence that match the crime. People with addictions and severe mental disorders are being incarcerated instead of receiving the proper medical treatment. Also, many offenders are not given the skills/tools to successfully transition into society without returning to illegal activities. The correctional system in the United States needs to address these issues and institute reforms that assist offenders.