Prison overcrowding

Prison overcrowding is when the demand for space in prisons in a jurisdiction exceeds the capacity for prisoners in the place. Prison overcrowding can occur when the rate at which people are sentenced to prison exceeds the rate at which other prisoners are released or die, thereby freeing up prison space, and new prisons cannot be built fast enough to handle the additions.^[1]

Causes

Studies have shown that two types of offenders are responsible for the majority of sentences to prisons: drug offenders and recidivists.^[2]

Risks

Possible problems caused by prison overcrowding include:^[2]

• Stress among inmates and staff
• Increased risk of violence
• Spread of diseases within prisons
• Reduction in sentences given to those being sentenced to or already in prison, thereby releasing potentially dangerous offenders into society

At the end of 2010, the state and federal correctional facilities housed over 1.6 million inmates. At least seven states are currently at 25% over capacity with the highest being Alabama at 196% and closely followed by Illinois at 144% above maximum capacity. Nineteen states in total are operating above maximum capacity. Operating prisons over maximum capacity is not only expensive and inconvenient but also, extremely dangerous. In 2005, 53% of inmates in state prisons were committed for violent offenses. Prison riots are prevalent in an overcrowded prison environment because of vast discontent among the inmate population.

Solutions

Some of the solutions to prison overcrowding focus on increasing prison capacity. This includes the construction of new prisons, and the conversion of space within existing facilities that has been used for other purposes into prison space.^[2]

Other solutions that have been employed involve keeping offenders, particularly those who commit non-violent or less violent offenses, out of prison. Alternate forms of sentencing are used, including probation, community service, restitution, diversion programs, and house arrest. Additionally, existing inmates may face early release from parole and other credits.^[2]

Early release poses the hazard that a potentially dangerous offender could be released into society and be able to do harm.

The Criminal Law Bulletin, a peer-reviewed law review, published "Prison Overcrowding Cure: Judicial Corporal Punishment of Adults" by John Dewar Gleissner, an article proposing judicial corporal punishment in lieu of incarceration for less serious offenses. Historical evidence, behavioral and neurological findings, and the shortcomings of incarceration are all cited to advocate the effectiveness and economy of public flogging in the traditional American manner. This punishment was advocated by all the presidents carved into Mt. Rushmore and the Bible, Deuteronomy 25:1-3.^[3]

See also

• List of countries by incarceration rate

References