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Pros And Cons Of Prison Overcrowding

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Pros And Cons Of Prison Overcrowding
Prison Overcrowding
Nicole Galarza
Student
DeVry University

Abstract
Prison recidivism continually grows in the United States, resulting in prison overcrowding. The government struggles to find ways to address the conditions in prisons, researcher have begun to look at alternatives to placing offenders in the system. These alternatives can result in lowering crime rate, recidivism and the overall prison population. The numbers of people in the United States that have spent time in prison causes an enormous problem and cost for every state.

Prison Overcrowding The downward spiral the economy has taken affects the prison population. There are fewer jobs for people in society, especially people that have been convicted with serious crimes. People that have records with various offences and they have re-entered back into society that is economically suffering end up back in the judicial system due to the lack of employment. Parolees that have been re-incarcerated for minor violations also have contributed to prison overcrowding. Parolees re-enter into society with a criminal record which makes it difficult to find a legitimate job. If there is no legitimate job to assist them in making a living they often turn to illegitimate means to make up the difference. Prison overcrowding is a major factor to continual problems …show more content…
(2007). Downsizing Prisons: How To Reduce Crime and End Mass Incarceration. In Punishment & Society (pp. 105-107). New York: Person Education.
Handbook on Strategies to Reduce Overcrowding in Prisons. (2013, August 4). Retrieved from United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime: http://www.unodc.org/documents/justice-and-prison reform/Overcrowding_in_prisons_Ebook.pdf
Peak, K. J. (2012). Policing America Challenges and Best Practices. New Jersey: Pearson Education.
S.D., L. (1996). The Effect of Prison Population Size on Crime Rates: Evidence From Prison Overcrowding Litigation. The Quarterly Journal of Economics,
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