Prison Policy

Introduction

When a person commits a crime and is tried and convicted by the courts of Justice, he loses his right to remain free, fulfilling a certain period of confinement in a prison in the country (Pollock, 1997, p. 158-216). About the universe of detainees in American prisons, regardless of their quality procedures, have been entrusted with the task of assisting and serving the inmates, assuming that, today, the main task is their rehabilitation and reintegration (Pollock, 1997, p. 158-216). Currently, people accused or convicted of a crime, may lie in traditional units or licensed therefore have different living conditions and access to different types of social reintegration. However, there are no differences in evaluations showing both modalities (Palmer, 1975, p. 133-152). Thus, the overall objective of this study was to compare the range of programs on rehabilitation and social reintegration in American prisons and propose policies that can help to improve them.

Thesis Statement

There is a need to revise the rehabilitation programs followed by the American prison system as they are inadequate and inefficient in providing and safeguarding the basic rights of the inmates.

Public Safety in America

Public safety has become one of the issues of greatest concern to public citizens and authorities. In Public Opinion Survey Research Center Public (CEP) for the months of November and December 2010, states that the problems related crime are of greatest concern to the population, representing 54 percent of all public problems, for health and education, representing 43% and 38%, respectively (Pollock, 1997, p. 158-216). At the same time, it appears that for the months of June-July 2011, the crime still ranks first representing 47 percent for education and health, with 44% and 41%, respectively. Indeed, crime is an issue that now affects us all, it transcends the behavior of an individual, rather society sees itself committed either by the it causes fear and social insecurity that exists because of this (Pollock, 1997, p. 158-216). Thus, in this section will analyze this phenomenon, through four topics: victimization, evolution complaint, insecurity and quality of life, finally, prison population.

Diagnosis of Prison Population

America is a country with one of the highest number of prisoners. Thus, the penal system is characterized by a steady increase in the prison population, mainly by the orientation of repressive policing actions and then the use of imprisonment as a means of conflict resolution (United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2001). Given the levels of overcrowding in prisons actions materials for rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates are restricted. Currently the American prison system is composed of three regimens: subsystem closed, semi-open. In the first sub-system, criminals are arrested, prosecuted, charged and convicted. By December 31, 2010, the prison population in this subsystem was 52,610 (National Audit Office, 2002). Out of this total, 91.4% were men and 8.6% women. Of all the individuals in the closed subsystem 40,850 are serving time, while 11,507 are defendants. Moreover, 97 are being processed and 156 correspond to detainees. Finally, 52,610 detained individuals represent ...