Jail and Prison Systems
Introduction goes here.
Prison Violence
Many experts believe the reasoning the United States incarceration rate is so high reflects the "get tough" laws in the 1990s that resulted in strict sentencing for criminals. Prisons contain nonviolent inmates who may be drug addicts and repeat offenders. The “get tough” laws passed when federal and state money was available for the construction of more prisons and was also used to hire added correction officers to supervise the increasing inmate population. Today, these resources no longer exist causing more criminal activity then officers can keep up with. Although there is a rise in inmate population today, staffing in the prison system has decreased which means there is less staff on hand to supervise those placed in the system 's care. Placing criminals inside facilities lacking the staff necessary to regulate proper safety puts hundreds of workers including doctors, nurses, and counselors at risk. Also inmate’s safety is at risk from assaults or attacks by other prisoners.
Aside from lack of security in the prison system, rape is another means for violence while incarcerated. Congress mandated records and statistics of prison rape as part of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). The purpose for this act is to (a) establish a zero tolerance for prison rape, (b) make prison rape a top priority in correctional facilities and systems, (c) develop and implement national standards for the detection, prevention, reduction, and punishment of prison rape, (d) increase the availability of information on the incidence and prevalence of prison rape, and (e) increase the accountability of corrections officials with regard to the issue of sexual violence in United States prisons (Schmalleger). Many men are involved in homosexual activity while incarcerated and depending on your “role” in prison, it may be voluntary or involuntary. A “wolf” assumes the male dominant role where
References: Friedman, L., (1993) Crime and Punishment in America. New York, NY: Oxford Univ. Press Schmalleger, F. (2009) Criminal Justice Today. Pearson Education Seabrook, N. (2005) Society for the Advancement. USA Today