Criminality and the Prison System

[JaniceSW]

I've just finished watching the TV show "Lockdown" on channel NGCHD (Comcast) for the last 3-4 hours.  A number of prisons were showcased, one in Colorado and several in California.  The culture in these prisons is out of control, as is the size of the prison population and the lack of budget to have adequate prisons and staff.  The things that go on are beyond belief.  Dope, attacks on each other and staff, threats, shanks, and a regular revolving door for many.  There is no way that most will make any behavior changes once they are back on the street.  It is a mess!!!

So the question is: What is to be done about the growing criminality and prison population and the safety of those of us who just want to conduct our lives in a lawful manner?  What is the answer?  Some want to do better, but the environment does not support it at all.  However, many  are not interested in changing.  They just want to continue the lifestyle that got them there to begin with.  I saw and heard from some who will definitely be gangbangers and dopers to the very end. They have no self-control and don't care to have any.  It's a way of life.  What's to be done?  Something has to, because the overcrowding and growing criminal element is overwhelming our tax dollar.   

[natashaspy]

my husband is a corrections officer in NC...it always amazes me about the stories he comes home with.  there are always people trying to sneak drugs and things over the wall (tossed over the wall inside footballs) or sneaking them in with visitors.  he's been attacked four times...stabbed with shanks three of those times, hit in the face with a lighting fixture ripped out of the wall on the fourth.  the states never give enough funding to handle the prisons, usually the guards are short handed.  wish I had the answers to your questions, but it's a hard one to figure out!!!

[sherryinutah]

Good topic and I wish I had a solution.  It's sad, that some of the inmates are stuck in that environment; even though, they might be innocent.  Too many public defenders are worthless and some detectives are willing to wrongfully accuse people. 

I guess some people are an energy match for that environment because they are considered career criminals. 

From my point of view; prison or jail, is hell on earth for inmates and employees.  The problem is too many disfunctional people who aren't able to legally manage their own lives. 

One solution might be that people on "death row" should be executed in a timely manner.     

[ancmetro]

   We need to stop building prisons. People yearn to be free. Educate them how to coexit in society. Give them jobs...whatever they need to be productive in our communities. You will see the crime rate to decrease.

[hitch0403]

You are NEVER going to correct it in this system,but for the time being if supervisors were able to weed the prisoners out that were repentant for their wrongs and help and educate them,as well as isolate them from the bad apples maybe a life or two can be saved when they return back to society!

[crisstar]

The whole justice system needs to be overhauled. 

You have over-zealous district attorneys who are willing to do anything to get a conviction (and make themselves look good) even to the point of putting innocent people away. 

There needs to be more programs in the inner-city communities for sure and more counseling available for children in schools in general.

More and more children are forced to deal with adult issues more than ever before, not to mention that more children are coming from broken homes, custody battles, etc..

[holmesch22]

Good subject I really do not know much about Criminality and the Prison System

[moonangel]

i think to many children are being tried as adults

[gsdoss]

I don't think our prisons are working just gives the prisoners time to hone their skills.

[Penwoir]

I know in an ideal world it would be nice to say that for those prisoners who are repentant they should be released back into the community but in reality, I'm sure all prisoners are sorry, sorry for being caught! How could you tell the difference between those prisoners who were sorry for their actions and those who are sorry for being caught. Plus, a good theatrical piece of acting would only confuse the issue further. I know the prisons are crowded, but prisoners were never promised a 10 x 10 area of peace and quiet to themselves.

[autumnsparklemom]

I have a degree in Criminal Justice. I feel there is no right answer. I recall a course in college where the professor was a warden of a prison. He made us tour his prison and boot camp as a requirement for his course. It was actually interesting and quite scary to go through.

[jkhanson]

You are NEVER going to correct it in this system,but for the time being if supervisors were able to weed the prisoners out that were repentant for their wrongs and help and educate them,as well as isolate them from the bad apples maybe a life or two can be saved when they return back to society!

I agree with hitch0403...there ought to be a way to "weed out" and put prisoners in different types of confinement.  Some way to isolate/separate the violent ones from ones who are not violent.

Treating prisoners like scum and worthless human beings is not right.  It only fuels the negative and causes anger and resentment and bitterness so the day they do get released we have a very angry, bitter person on the street.

Norway has a radically different approach to their prison sytem and they have significantly less repeat offenders.  http://www.businessinsider.com/why-norways-prison-system-is-so-successful-2014-12
We should be trying to help/ re-educate/reform those who are in the minor infringements of the law rather lumping minor offenders with violent and or lifers who are not repentent.

[bowrunner]

The prison system would be in much better shape if the illegals were being sent back to where they came from.  A huge percentage of the prison population is illegals who are let out, never deported, commit crimes again and are jailed again.  This repeats itself over and over because the administration will not deport illegals.