The Most Serious Challenges that Face Correction Paper

Overcrowding in correctional facilities
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Overcrowding in correctional facilities
Researchers have found that America’s incarceration system holds about 2.5 million persons in 79 Indian Country jails, 3,284 local jails, 2,258 juvenile correctional facilities, 103 federal prisons, and 1,718 state prisons in addition to civil commitment centres, immigration detention facilities, military prisons, and prison facilities within the United States territories (Fitzgerald & Vance, 2015). This total makes America to have the highest imprisoned population globally. This paper provides a detailed discussion of prison overcrowding as the most serious challenge that faces correctional facilities in the United States today. A possible solution that can be utilized to effectively address this challenge is recommended.
Overcrowding in correctional facilities
At the moment, the most serious challenge that is facing America’s correctional facilities is overcrowding. The United States puts in jail more persons per capita compared to any other country worldwide (Fitzgerald & Vance, 2015). Overcrowding in correctional facilities is recognized as a major factor that contributes to poor prison conditions. Williams (2014) noted that overcrowding is certainly the biggest single problem that faces prison systems and the outcomes can at best prevent correctional facilities from carrying out their proper functions and at worst be life-threatening.
State and federal prison facilities in addition to county jails today experience near-crisis overcrowding levels. Overcrowding in prison facilities in America is resulting in insufficient care of prisoners, hence infringing on their basic rights. Thanks to the high prison population, the Bureau of Prisons Budget is about $28 billion for the fiscal year 2016 and is projected to reach about $31 billion in 2020 (Pitts, Griffin & Johnson, 2014). Each year, every prisoner on average costs the American taxpayer an estimated $31,300 (Williams, 2014).
Not only are overcrowded prison facilities costly to sustain, but they are also dangerous as they pose safety risks for inmates and prison personnel alike. Furthermore, reduced spaces implies that there are fewer places for offering the much-needed drug treatment and educational programs which are vital for preventing re-offending (Pitts, Griffin & Johnson, 2...