The cause of prison overcrowding is simple, there is not enough room in prisons.  Fluctuating crime rates, changes to laws and improvements to law enforcement tactics are issues causing the overcrowding of inmates in jails. The first problem is double-celling inmates.  Currently it is common to see two inmates in one cell and it is not a big issue, but it can lead to three inmates in one cell. The prison will find a room for the third inmate. Having three inmates to one cell can lead to problems with the inmates and make the environment for the officers unsafe.  Secondly, officers are forced to accommodate to the environment and deal with stressful situations. Yes, it is an officer’s job to manage with these situations while inmates have no choice.  But there are effective alternatives to reduce the stress and problems that could worsen the atmosphere.

The prison population has evolved overtime, and has become a serious problem in America.  Convicted prisoners are not fully serving their sentence.  This leads to early release in which they may not be ready to go out into the community.  Overcrowding of prisoners started to evolve during 1990’s. Tough-on-crime legislation came into play and passed through state and local governments. “California passed  the “three strikes and you’re out” law which called for mandatory sentencing of repeat offenders, and New York adopted the “Broken Windows” strategy that called for the arrest and prosecution of all crimes large and small.”(Prison Overcrowding – ALEC).  This increase has led to early release of inmates.

There are alternatives that may be effective into still holding criminals accountable for their crimes but keeping our community safe such as: tracking device, frequent pop-up visits of parole officers and daily monitoring.  Using these alternatives might be a great advantage and change for a prisoner, but they’re not as free as they seem to be. Violating anything  restriction can impact their chance for full freedom.

Although some of these alternatives can ease the prison population, there are other changes that can be made and laws that should be changed.  There are inmates who have been convicted on drug charges serving larger sentences than inmates who have raped women and children.  Reviewing current sentencing laws will assist in easing the crowded prisons.  As well as give fare sentences to those who have committed harsher crimes.  There are inmates serving ten to twenty years on drug charges when rapists serve five years.  If you analyze this issue, does a prisoner who sold marijuana deserve to a ten year sentence when a rapist is serving half the time.  Perhaps an alternative method for the inmates who have a minor drug conviction instead of the harsh sentence.

If current prisoners serving a minor conviction be sentenced an alternative method such as a monitoring device and parole visits, can still be a part of society.  Having restrictions will limit them from committing another crime.  They will also still have the ability to work and provide for themselves causing the ease of overcrowded prisons as well as government money being spent to house the inmates.  It costs the government more money to house a prisoner than one in society still providing for themselves.  This will assist the government in multiple areas.  The convicted will still be monitored and have restrictions to have their freedom.  It will assist everyone in the end.

In conclusion, the process of reviewing laws, the trial and sentencing process for people who have been charged with a crime will take time, but in the end it will be effective.  Those convicted will have a fare sentence, be closely monitored and still have a place in society.  The prisons will not be as crowed causing officers to have better control of inmates and be in a safer environment.  The government will save money.  It is a positive step forward that the government is assessing changes in the prison system.

 

Works Cited

“Home Confinement Proves Effective in Dollars and Sense.” The Third Branch. N.p., N.d., March 1997. Web. 5 May 2014

“Prison Overcrowding.” American Legislative Exchange Council. N.p., 2014 Web. 5 May 2014

Wood, Graeme.  “Prison Without Walls” The Atlantic. 11 Aug 2010. Web. 5 May 2014