Penal System Research Paper

America’s Penal System: Help or Punish?
“Jails and prisons are designed to break human beings, to convert the population into specimens in a zoo - obedient to our keepers, but dangerous to each other” (Davis). The penal system was first put in place to lock away criminals and protect the community. Now it has become a space with a constant flow of visitors. Inmates are falling into the depths of their minds as they stay isolated within cells with little treatment. Their mental health becomes estranged and detached. When prisoners are released many do not see a potential future and return to their habits. They fall into a continuous cycle of release and recidivate. Increasing rates of recidivism in the American prison system is illustrative
of its ineffectiveness in rehabilitating prisoners to become productive citizens. According to the Bureau of Justice, recidivism rates are gradually increasing in the United States with approximately two-thirds of prisoners returning to jail after they are released (Markman et al.). Younger prisoners have higher rates of recidivism because many have not had a chance to outgrow delinquency. Barry Holman, the Senior Associate for the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services of Washington, D.C. discovered “almost 70% of detained youth are returned within one year” (Holman 4). Many of these youth do not gain independence and revert to the same patterns of behavior by relying on family and friends for support. Consequently, many inmates do not finish high school, which makes it extremely difficult for them to secure steady employment upon release (“Reducing Recidivism 4”). A large portion return to their old habits especially drug abuse. Research associate of the Justice policy Institute, Kamala Malik-Kane found over a third of inmates reported substance use a few months after release (18). Although some may have the potential to reintegrate into society, the current focus of the penal system on punishment rather than treatment exacerbates the problem.
It takes approximately 114 days for inmates to have a medical appointment, often times they are rescheduled or pushed back (“Impact of Aging”).
America continues to lack a genuine attempt at repairing the penal system. In fact, prisons have become extremely overcrowded, hugely impacting inmates’ health. As a result, diseases are easily passed within the limited and unhygienic six by eight foot cubes, leading to recurring cases of HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis C, and Tuberculosis (Restum 1689). Doctor Liza Solomon discovered “testing of HIV is not done in 19% of jails and 35% of prisons” (435). In addition, isolation has detrimental effects on the inmates’ mental health. There are increases in suicidal tendencies, rage, paranoia, and hallucinations. The lack of social interaction makes it difficult to adjust and behave normally. Irwin, member of the National Academy of Sciences, states “prison life is completely routinized and restricted, over time prisoners steadily lose their capacity to exert power and control their destiny” (qtd. in Travis et al. 177). This complete loss of control causes many inmates to have bursts of
hostility. Mallik-Kane reveals “nearly all returning prisoners—8 in 10 men and 9 in 10 women—had chronic health conditions requiring treatment” (2).
The incarcerated population has a substantial amount of health issues, especially the elderly. They cause the least conflict, yet they are the fastest growing group in the whole system, increasing by 25% since 2009 (“Impact of Aging”). According to Viola Riggin, executive director of Health Care Services for the University of Kansas, there will be “record numbers of graying inmates struggling with typical aging maladies, such as impaired vision, mobility issues, heart disease, asthma, dementia, diabetes and organ failure” (17). In addition sexual assault is a silenced and private issue in prisons. The Department of Justice’s Bureau of Statistics
confirms:
One in twenty adult inmates in federal and state prisons and nearly one in eight juveniles in custody experience sexual violence every year. In other words, thousands of men, women and children in detention suffer the devastation of rape, sometimes even at the hands of corrections officials whose job is to keep prisoners safe. (qtd in Lukima 49)
Inmates become emotionally unstable by denying it happened and not reporting the assault. Often therapy is unsuccessful because of distorted communication between therapists and offenders. Corporate Director of Behavioral Health, Diane Wood, observes “having the support of a team is essential for successful outcomes, as well as helping to prevent staff burnout” (44). The ability to express emotions is a positive practice by relieving the burden of pent up feelings.
Funding for the prison system continues to grow exponentially every year. Lengthy sentences are given for light and nonviolent crimes. In recent years, there are increasing detainments for drug related offenses. According to a 2012 study, it costs approximately $31,286 for one inmate and $39 billion from taxpayers, yearly (Delaney). Billions are wasted to pay for shelter, food, medication, and employment of workers. The University of California found “correctional education is nearly twice as cost-effective as imposing longer sentences” (qtd in Lee 27). Clearly, investing in rehabilitation and education is more beneficial than building more jails. In addition, Washington State Institute for Public Policy found “investing a dollar in therapy could produce up to $13 in benefits for the community” (qtd. in Holman 11).
There should be more efforts towards rehabilitating inmates while they serve time. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, in February of 2017, nearly 50% of inmates were imprisoned for drug offences (“Offences”). They have lengthy sentences reaching up to 10 years. There should be more investments towards substance abuse treatment. Nila Natarajan, researcher of the Justice Policy Institute, found these programs “facilitates successful reentry into the community” and reduces criminal behavior; from 1995 to 2005 there was a 31.5% drop in violent crime due to investments (4). Prisons cut back on educational funding because it is not a priority. However, providing educational resources makes inmates more productive. Cathryn Chappell found that recidivism rates were “46% lower if they took college classes” (qtd. in Lee 27). Donald Lee, a man convicted of drug paraphernalia, said “one of the best ways to give prisoners hope is to immerse them in work, education, charity and other programs that prepare them to enter the workforce” (28). Letting inmates rot in secluded cells is ineffective; they should be taught useful skills that can benefit their community. On the other hand, the German prison system is advancing quickly. They put an emphasis on opportunities to earn rewards. Sixty Minute’s reporter, Bill Whitaker, found many prisoners had keys to their cells, weekend leaves, and the ability to personalize belongings. Rather than resorting to violence, the Germans enforce normalization and maintaining a calming environment. They have created personalized plans for each individual including counselling, classes, and work.
It is clear the American prison system fails at rehabilitating prisoners to successfully integrate into society. Building more jails will not repair the issues. Increasing numbers of Americans are locked up yearly for nonviolent crimes, when there should be an emphasis on rehabilitation and education. Many inmates leave prison with nothing except what they came with. Their days were spent being locked up and unproductive. It is not surprising a majority recidivate because they cannot secure steady employment or shelter. The portrayal of prisoners as nothing but thugs is false; many have the potential to change and help their community.