Privatization Of Prison Essay

Taking all of the studies, background knowledge, and statistics into consideration, I do believe that there is an unproportionate amount of black men serving time in the criminal justice system. It has been proven that men of color are particularly likely to be imprisoned, in comparison to their non black counterparts. “African Americans serve virtually as much time in prison for a drug offense (58.7 months) as whites do for a violent offense (61.7 months). (Sentencing Project)” The sentencing of black men is commonly dealt with in a harsher manner, than with other races. There are specific laws and stereotypes that continue to be upheld by society, which specifically work against the favor of black men. The issue of predominantly black areas

America is a nation freeing its self from the shackles of the past . This is evident during the mid 19th century with reform movements happening in the Temperance, Education, Prison, women’s rights, and anti-slavery.

People of all different races and ethnicities are locked behind bars because they have been convicted of committing a crime and they are paying for the consequences. When looking at the racial composition of a prison in the United States, it does not mimic the population. This is because some races and ethnicities are over represented in the correctional system in the U.S. (Walker, Spohn, & DeLone, 2018). According Walker et al. (2018), African-Americans/Blacks make up less than fifteen percent of the U.S. population, while this race has around thirty-seven percent of the population in the correctional system today. Along with African-American/Blacks, the Hispanic population is underrepresented at both the state and federal levels while the Caucasian/White population are underrepresented (Walker, Spohn, & DeLone, 2018).

Much of the twentieth century, crime and punishment has provided some of the most powerful signs of the racial split in America (Rosich,2007). For example, African Americans accounted for 89 percent of the prison population executed for rape between the years of 1930 and 1972 (U.S. Department of Justice. Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2000). The question that has been raised is not who, what, when but is why? Could the answer possibly be that, though criminal activity has no face, no gender, race, or ethnic background that people are always looking for a scapegoat of some sort to make sure someone pays the dues of the crime that has been committed? Possibly, for example a young women in Stillwater, North Dakota was publicly arrested by 3 US

Racial stereotypes are one of the biggest problems American of all ethnicities face. With social networking and exceptional new coverage just about everything is covered pertaining to social problems is always in some form racially motivated stemming from a racial stereotype. Ranging from police shootings, violent encounters between citizens and transgender confusion. Unfortunately, all caused by the same problem. In essence, a way of life most might say all over the world. One of the main causes of this is the bias media coverage containing racial events. People all over the world are affected not just Americans. It's selfish that this has to be an issue people face everyday. Many lives have been destroyed or compromised in the cross-fire of this negativity.

What percentage of U.S. adults are currently incarcerated? What is their demographic make-up (age, sex, race, class)?

The creation of prisons were established around the time of the emancipation of slavery. The black community were released from the horrific life they faced when living in slavery, but slavery was not over. Once the African American’s were free society configured a plan that would put an end to the freedom of slaves. The creation of prisons, allowed society the ability to enact a formal genocide of black people by placing them in cages. The roles of prisons over time as established locations that conduct inhuman treatment of Americans, primarily those who are colored, immigrants and other communities labeled as inferior to whites. The problem that arises from the creation of prison is a term known as Prison Industrial Complex. The prison industrial

“The land of the free and the home of the brave” is a timeless saying that truly resonates with United States citizen’s and sums up the morals this country was founded on. The land of the free may not be as free as people think, as Americans find themselves in an era in we have the largest prison population in the world. Due to judicial stipulations such as minimum sentencing laws most crimes have the same punishment regardless of the circum These people are first time non-violent offenders who may be headed for prison. The times are changing and so should the way we handle our prisoners.

Cox (2009) explain the logic in the numbers by asserting that “African Americans are convicted more frequently than Caucasians and other races (making up fifty-nine percent of persons convicted of drug offenses), African Americans are subjected to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines more frequently."(Cox, 2009, p.23) Wooldredge (2007) correlates social and economic disadvantages as being a driving factor minorities being an easy target for felony convictions. Wooldredge (2007) believes that Sentences are more severe for minority defendants from more social And economically disadvantaged areas within jurisdictions.(Wooldredge, 2007, p.239) Disenfranchisement of felons, especially African-Americans have brought with it a large growing concern

more likely to be imprisoned, their children are more likely to grow up without a father. When the father is taken away, the family’s income decreases resulting in financial strain. Moreover, this strain makes it harder for the family to keep a relationship with their father while he is in prison. Phone calls to prisons are expenses as well as visits. The cycle begins with fathers but has continued to move from generation to generation because, “Paternal incarceration is associated with behavior problems and delinquency, especially among boys.”

In The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in The Era of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander, she begins by points out the underlying problem in our Criminal Justice system. The problem being prioritizing the control of those in this racial caste rather than focusing on reasonable punishment and efforts to deter crime. Alexander begins by speaking of her experience as a civil rights lawyer and what soon became her priority after seeing a poster that mentioned how the war on drugs is the new jim crow when it comes to the application and outcome of it. As Alexander points out the correlation between the war on drugs and it being the new jim crow, she discusses the mass incarceration that is prevalent in our society and the number of African American

A survey conducted in Washington; the survey showed that the majority of the public believed that treatment and job training programs in prisons must increase for the sake of public safety, so when an inmate is released they will be a productive citizen. The survey also showed that the public believes that there are too many low-risk and non-violent offenders in prison.

Prison is one of the main sources of punishment as well as rehabilitation in the United States and began as penitentiaries designed to form a more perfect society but quickly became overcrowded, understaffed and dangerous places. The prison system of today fails to meet the needs of the current situation in the United States and requires the cooperation of the public, prison officials as well as the government to fix our broken prison system. Prisons in the United States are currently not focusing enough on rehabilitation and using outdated methods causing psychological trauma leading to a higher chance of criminals returning to a life of crime.

The government is the ultimate control of all prisons. They are the people who enforce prison law, fund prisons and organize them. Operations run by the Federal Bureau of Prisons are there to ensure every prisoner, a safe environment. The constitution is there to protect prisoners rights. The overall goal of the government is too, regulate prison systems and protect inmates/ prisoners. There is always room for improvement. Recently prison reform has been debated, as people are questioning the humane treatment of prisoners, and are curious here there tax dollars are going. The constitution covers various rights regarding prisoners to ensure their safety and wellbeing. The structure of all persons are controlled by the government, they run public, private, and state prisons. They also manage the overall budget and allocate certain money to certain needed programs for prisons. The government is so important when it comes to prisons as they are protecting the people behind bars and preventing them from being a burden on society and rehabilitating them. That being said, it is essential for the government to have control of prisons and monitor the status of prisoners to ensure total wellbeing. Overall, United States prison policy must be amended and enforced on various levels to accommodate for the ultimate mental and physical well being of prisoners.

Prison is a very harsh and bad place that no one should want to be in. Little freedom can make a person really aggravated. Nobody wants to be away from their family with little contact allowed. Little space and little privacy can only go for so long. Personally I think prison doesn't reform people because there are many repeat offenders, some people act worse when they get there, and also some people just don't like help and never want to change.