Time for a good, hearty discussion. I want this thread to focus on the American correctional system, and more specifically...the problems that face it every day. For the purposes of aiding in discussion, I'll first define some terms:
The term "corrections" refers to the system by which criminals are dealt punishment after trial. I take care to use "correctional system" rather than "prison system", since prison is just one facet of correctional thought. Corrections including offenders on probation, parole, house arrest...basically under any forum of supervision/punishment as a result of committing a crime.
"Recidivism" is the act of re-committing an act that society deems unacceptable. The term can be applied to several different fields of study, but in regards to corrections, a recidivist is one who re-enters the correctional system after already having been in it before. Repeat offenders, basically.
Now, here's the problem we need to address:
Correctional systems are some of the largest single-line items in most state budgets. In Virginia, for example, the Department of Corrections alone (this does not include the Parole Board or Juvenile programs) was alloted almost $1.1 billion for the 2009 fiscal year. Billions of dollars are spent on corrections nationwide...and yet recidivism rates remain fairly high. The nation-wide re-arrest rate (within 3 years of release) hovers between 50-60 percent. [1] In Virginia (again), about 30% of adult offenders are reincarcerated (arrested, convicted, sentenced) within 3 years of their release. [2]
Given this relatively high rate of recidivism within such a short time...it's clear that the correctional system needs some new ideas injected into it. So, how can we deal with a soaring budget that doesn't really seem to solve the problem? Should focus be placed on rehabilitation of offenders? Perhaps sentencing should be reduced for a particular type of offender (non-violent drug, for example)? How about special-needs offenders?
Let me hear your thoughts. How would you fix the broken system?
[1] http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/crimoff.htm#recidivism
[2] http://vaperforms.virginia.gov/indic...recidivism.php
The term "corrections" refers to the system by which criminals are dealt punishment after trial. I take care to use "correctional system" rather than "prison system", since prison is just one facet of correctional thought. Corrections including offenders on probation, parole, house arrest...basically under any forum of supervision/punishment as a result of committing a crime.
"Recidivism" is the act of re-committing an act that society deems unacceptable. The term can be applied to several different fields of study, but in regards to corrections, a recidivist is one who re-enters the correctional system after already having been in it before. Repeat offenders, basically.
Now, here's the problem we need to address:
Correctional systems are some of the largest single-line items in most state budgets. In Virginia, for example, the Department of Corrections alone (this does not include the Parole Board or Juvenile programs) was alloted almost $1.1 billion for the 2009 fiscal year. Billions of dollars are spent on corrections nationwide...and yet recidivism rates remain fairly high. The nation-wide re-arrest rate (within 3 years of release) hovers between 50-60 percent. [1] In Virginia (again), about 30% of adult offenders are reincarcerated (arrested, convicted, sentenced) within 3 years of their release. [2]
Given this relatively high rate of recidivism within such a short time...it's clear that the correctional system needs some new ideas injected into it. So, how can we deal with a soaring budget that doesn't really seem to solve the problem? Should focus be placed on rehabilitation of offenders? Perhaps sentencing should be reduced for a particular type of offender (non-violent drug, for example)? How about special-needs offenders?
Let me hear your thoughts. How would you fix the broken system?
[1] http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/crimoff.htm#recidivism
[2] http://vaperforms.virginia.gov/indic...recidivism.php