Essay On Prison Reform

George W. Bush once said, “America is the land of the second chance - and when the gates of the prison open, the path ahead should lead to a better life.” Reforms have been used throughout history to implement new regulations and make changes in order to improve the lives of those impacted. Before the Prison Reform Movement, the United States Prison system was overflowing. Anyone, who was jailed for any offense, big or small, was placed in the same prison. This means that a small child committing a minor offense could have been placed in the same prison, or even cell, as a sex offender. Also, the jails had horrendous conditions due to the lack of attention to prison and most prisoner were beat for no reason. The movement of prison reform has involved many important people and events, affected America economically, socially, politically, and has had success and failures throughout the span of the reform.
Since Dorothea Dix took her issues with prison conditions to the Legislature of Massachusetts, more mental institutions have been established and we have figured out how to treat mental illness. Also, Louis Dwight gave more attention to prisoner’s rights through the Boston Prison Discipline Society, giving them more freedom and ability to live in stable conditions in prison. Lastly, thanks to Louis Dwight, the Auburn Prison System redefined prison procedures. Giving more stick duties to prisons and giving prisoners more freedom to do activities throughout the day. Although there has been a good amount of success throughout this reform, there has also been failure. In 1854, President Franklin Pierce vetoed the bill that would provide ten million acres of federal land to be sold for the support asylums for the mentally ill. Pierce vetoed Dix’s bill because he believed that if he passed a bill giving land to the care and support of the mentally ill, he would have to help impoverished Americans as