Take A Stand on Prison Reform

Our prison system was created to service the public, to rehabilitate the uncivilized and separate them from society, as a solution to rehabilitate criminals. The ‘War on Drugs’, proposed by Nixon in the 1970s, resulted in the mass incarceration of the U.S. population, resulting in many issues we still face today, such as poor living conditions and lack of programs to rehabilitate. The Prison Industrial Complex, which describes relationship between government and private industries to police and imprison inmates, is one of the products because of the growing prison population. Political and financial influences over the decades to combat prison issues have lost sight of what the institution was built on, and that tickles down to issues with petty crimes in low income communities, which affect our everyday lives. To create changes in our corrupt prison system, concerned citizens must get informed on the issue and voice their concerns to initiate conversations with their representatives.

To expect changes, we need to understand the problems. The need for prison reform has been preached for many years, but the solutions are not quick enough. We need to understand what has been going on over the decades with this issue to understand what solutions are best going forward. Over the centuries, philosophers believed that solitary confinement was a way to separate the heavy offenders from the majority. By the 18th century, every county in America had a jail established to keep their communities civilize. By then, the jail system served more than just keeping society safe, it was a holding place for debtors, war and political prisoners and those pending trial. Most convictions lasted a day and 3 months at most. Low income citizens were typically imprisoned longer than those of higher income, as they usually cannot afford bail. The issue trickles down to our everyday lives as the prison issue relates to issues our in our streets.

It came to my attention that our prison is roughly 20% over populated. With that high percentage of overpopulation, we must consider what are the types of living conditions of these inmates. This brings in a new perspective to prison reform. Activists are arguing for prison reform against private prison and for better living conditions, I hope they consider that public prisons that are over populated can ultimate result in terrible living conditions but indirectly result in longer sentences for inmates who are forced to live in crowded situations. When we spoke about inhumane in previous mentions, we never thought that privatization may and would be a solution when it comes to overpopulation. If the public cannot generate public funds to humanely house these inmates, and the public does not want higher taxes or funding cut from other programs, we may have to figure another way. Three years ago, Donald Trump’s Department of Justice announced it will end privatization of prison to reduce the prison population. In my opinion, what they should had done was focus their resources on reducing petty crime sentences and abolish the bail bond system for a promising result, rather than end privatization. May be its best to reform privatization to improve changes, rather than end it altogether. Even if it’s a burden on the tax payer, I believe it’s on society’s burden to care for those who cannot care for themselves, as it is not the responsibilities of private entities.

As overpopulating of our prison becomes a growing problem, rehabilitation of our inmates became last priority. When rehabilitation was important to the prison system, inmate services was referred to as the “rehabilitative ideal,” a correctional philosophy deeply rooted in the idea that prison inmates could be reformed and returned to the free world as law-abiding citizens, and was crucial to the development of correctional professionals and most corrections departments across the U.S. throughout the 1950s and 1960s” (Michelle S. Phelps, 2013). However, priorities shifted in in the 1970s with the introduction on the “War on Drugs” as “rehabilitation was publicly discredited, making rehabilitation ‘a dirty word;’ corrections departments turned to drastically different rhetorical strategies to justify their existence; and the sentencing structures that under-girded the rehabilitative ideal were dismantled” (Ward & Maruna 2007). With the lack of programs to help inmates stay out of the system today, our prison system becomes a trap to those to enter the prisons system. We need to understand the situation and that starts by getting the correct facts and statistics. According to the Center for Prison Reform, “more than two-thirds of prisoners released in 2004 across 30 states were arrested for new crime within three years”, while black and Hispanic males were “6 and 2.5 times more likely to be incarcerated than white males in 2012… black males between 18 and 19 years of age were almost 9.5 times more likely to be imprisoned than white males of the same age” (Center For Prison Reform, 2019). Rehabilitation was once top priority for our inmates but with the facts presented, keeping inmates out of the system is no longer a priority. As a result, we should make changes to the law that governs petty crime, which targets low income communities, or we should preach for better programs in prison to help the inmates rehabilitate.

Many organizations conduct statistical analysis and reports and conclude from their findings that is provided to the public. Many advocates have argued that the jail system only targets the poor and minority, while allowing a way out for those who are financially well off. According to a report from 2014 by the Prison Policy Organization, “to the 1.6 million people incarcerated in federal and state prisons, there are 646,000 locked up in more than 3,000 local jails throughout the U.S. Seventy percent of these people in local jails are being held pretrial — meaning they have not yet been convicted of a crime and are legally presumed innocent” (Rabuy & Kopf, 2016). The reason why our jail system is well populated with citizens who are not yet been convicted is because our nation has a money bail or bail bond system. The bail bond or bail money system, a defendant pays an amount made by the judge, as a pledge he will return to court for his hearing. However, if he cannot afford the amount posted by the judge or afford a bail bond, he may be incarcerated until his case is brought up in court, which can take up to months. Jailing those who are awaiting trial have consistently increasing jail growth “since the 1980s, the number of convicted people in jails have been flat for the last 15 years” (Rabuy & Kopf, 2016). I suppose the constitutional principle of being innocent until proven guilty applies only if you are financially well off.

Another way of getting informed for the younger audience is through podcasts or short videos which illustrates and informs the issues of our prison system. A short clip on YouTube, “Cracked Explains: The Prison Industrial Complex”, the narrator explains the effects of this issue thoroughly, with fun facts and a great sense of humor that can be relatable to younger audiences. There are many issues to stand up for but it starts with getting informed. From articles, books and papers to surveys and reports over the decades on prison reform and injustice can be located at the Center for Prison Reform website. Much like other reform advocacy services, these sources will provide resources and information on prison reform and way to reach out to make a change and stand with our local representatives.

Even though there are many arguments to as why our prison system needs reform, from the suppression of the poor with the bail bond system to the profits being made with the increase numbers of inmates, we must explore the counter argument for the way our prison system is the way it is. The Prison Industrial Complex has always been the issue when it comes to prison reform. It is the relationship between government and business industries, who provide full services to house and maintain inmates. There are some substances to why our prison system is fine the way it currently is. According to the Washington Post article, “Don’t end federal private prisons”, author Sasha Volokh, argues why we private prisons are necessary. In her article, she directs our attention to a study done by the U.S. Department of Justice monitoring contract prisons in comparison to publicly owned. After reading this eye-opening article, my strong opinion against systematizing a public service for profit may have shifted. We may not be able to appreciate that in most cases, a good portion of the profits are generated back into the system. Though many activists have argued that privatization is unregulated, we must understand that their responsibilities are backed up by their profits. In other words, they value what they consider their assets and would ideally protect them. Surprisingly, it costs less for private prisons to operate than it is for public prisons, when we compare the average operational costs to house an inmate. In this case, a privately-owned prison, Taft, compared its costs to some public prison facilities and concluded that Taft’s “cost ranging from $33.25 to $38.37, and public facility costs ranging from $39.46 go $46.38” (Volokh, 2016 ). That means the private prison is saving more and because of that those extra profit can be used to better its program. This makes me wonder if we are looking pass the what is not presented in the media about the benefits of having these privatizations. There is a lot of profits to be made in many aspects when it comes to privatization a prison, some may think its cruel to create profit but we should wonder why it is being allowed. This article allowed me to take a step back and consider the benefits of what we’ve been viewing as a modern-day slavery system. Maybe one considers it slavery because profits are being generated at one’s expense? But how else would that inmate pay his or her debt to society.

After understanding the issues with our prison system and all that revolves around it, citizens must voice their concerns to their respected local representatives to initiate conversation to create change. Our prison problem is not just at the high levels of politics, it starts with the voices of its community. Our prison problems effect more communities than you would think. Because of the mass incarceration and war on drugs, many citizens are charged with petty crimes and poor neighborhoods are targeted, statistically. For example, Stop and Frisk was a policy adopted by the city of New York, but after the community and their local representatives challenged the morality and claim it violates of one’s Constitutional right, the federal judge banned the policy. Knowledge is power and to understand the situation that we are currently facing, changes then can begin to stir. Find out who your local representatives are and get information about prison reform and ask them to push for prison reform. Or you can act by contacting a prison reform advocacy, such as The Sentencing Project, to take further actions directly with the ACLU. The website mentioned will provide information on currently policies and reforms that you can voice to your representatives in hopes of addressing Congress. You can also donate to the cause and join the effort by staying connected with your local representatives to join the effort in criminal justice reform.

Over recent years there have been many advocates for prison reform and justice who are well known celebrities, such as Kim Kardashian, Meek Mills, Matt McGorry, Beyoncé, and Alicia Keys. Just to name a few. With more celebrities being aware and getting involved, the push for prison reform is much stronger as their fan base become aware of the issues. On December 21 of 2018, the Senate and House of Representatives signed into law their first bipartisan Criminal Justice Reform Legislation. The First Step Act, which ultimately will allow congress to “prioritize access to drug treatment, expanding employment opportunities and improving mental health services” (The Sentencing Project, 2019). The bill was passed with a 358 to 36 clear victory. This proves that changes can be possible if you voice your concerns to your representatives. The fight for reform isn’t over with this victory, but rather just the beginning.

I am positive you know someone who has been through the system. Ask them about their experience. If you think that our prison issue does not affect you, you’re wrong. Fighting for prison reform will ultimately change how our society will shape. With changes to prison reform may come changes to policies and regulations that is overwhelmingly targeting minorities and low-income communities. Expecting changes to an establishment that’s been fighting change can be difficult, especially with political and financial influences at work behind the scenes from the public eye. To create change, we need to stay informed on the situation. We need to understand what is going on in these prisons and the struggles our inmates are going through to preach what they deserve. Fighting for prison reform starts with you as an individual. There are great advocacy programs currently out there that provides the history and records of the changes and push for prison reform over the decades. Please stay inform and voice your concerns with your representatives. For once in your lifetime, fight against the odds to voice for those who cannot voice for themselves.

Work Cited

Berry, D. B., & Collins, E. (2018, December 20). Criminal justice bill passes House, heads to President Trump for his signature. Retrieved May 2, 2019, from https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/12/20/criminal-justice-reform-bill-passes-congress-goes-president-trump/2373992002/

Busby, J. C. (2017, December 24). Stop and frisk. Retrieved April 8, 2019, from https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/stop_and_frisk

Chen, M. (2018, August 11). Who Profits From Our Prison System? Retrieved February 02, 2018, from https://www.thenation.com/article/profits-prison-system/

Cracked, Daniel Bryan. “Cracked Explains: The Prison Industrial Complex.” YouTube, YouTube, 2 Aug. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVTzIZ1ZVYU

Lack Of Prison Reform | Rehabilitation Center. (n.d.). Retrieved April 8, 2019, from https://centerforprisonreform.org/

Lau, T. (2018, December 21). Historic Criminal Justice Reform Legislation Signed into Law. Retrieved from https://www.brennancenter.org/blog/historic-criminal-justice-reform-legislation-signed-law

Lauren, Carroll (2016, July 10). The war on drugs and incarceration rates. Retrieved March 22, 2019, from https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2016/jul/10/cory-booker/how-war-drugs-affected-incarceration-rates/

Messer, L. (2018, June 7). 10 stars who have advocated for prison reform. Retrieved May 2, 2019, from https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/kim-kardashian-west-stars-advocated-prison-reform-55726911

Phelps, M. S. (2011, March). Rehabilitation in the Punitive Era: The Gap between Rhetoric and Reality in U.S. Prison Programs. Retrieved May 11, 2019, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3762476/

Palta, R. (2014, March 13). Why For-Profit Prisons House More Inmates Of Color. Retrieved February 15, 2018, from https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2014/03/13/289000532/why-for-profit-prisons-house-more-inmates-of-color

The Prison Reform Movement. (2019). Retrieved April 8, 2019, from https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/prison-reform-movement

The Sentencing Project. (n.d.). Retrieved April 8, 2019, from https://www.sentencingproject.org/

Volokh, S. (2016, August 19). Don’t end federal private prisons. Retrieved March 2, 2019, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2016/08/19/dont-end-federal-private-prisons/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.fc7c16493879

Webster, K. (2015, February 02). America Desperately Needs Privately Owned Prisons [Video]. Retrieved March 30, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_jisgDmaDg