Correction Trends Evaluation

Introduction

Corrections refer to various functions majorly performed by the government in order to punish, treat and control convicted criminals. The correctional functions comprise of incarceration, probation and bails. Prisons are the most recognized correctional institutions. Penal or correctional systems are a set-up of agencies, which manage jurisdiction’s prisons and community-based programs such as the probation boards and parole. Correctional systems have transformed from the colonial era to present times. However, modern systems of corrections borrow some ancient forms of correction such as incarceration. With respect to this, the research discusses and evaluates the past, present and future trends regarding the operation of the institutional and community-based corrections.

Research methods

The research relied heavily on secondary methods , which included the use of online journals and books. This was very advantageous because information regarding prison systems and correction have been documented. The secondary methods also provide previous researches concerning the trends and nature of prisons from the ancient period to modern times. Additionally, historical documents concerning corrections aids in achieving the objective of the research, which is to analyze the trends from the past to the future.

Research findings

According to the research, there are various notable trends evident in prison systems. Notable examples include trends in the prison population, education, design, and sentencing. There has been a rise in the number of sentenced federal offenders. The number increased by 10% from 1997 to 2007. However, the intensity of use of alternative sentences like probation and merging prison sentences with other substitutions has shown a declining trend. The past ten years witnessed consistent and marginally rising rates. The initial rate in 1997 was 75.4% whereas the rate in 2007 was 85.3%. The rise tallies with declines in the alternative sentences. For example, the population of convicted criminals with probation sentences dropped from 13.1% in 1997 to 7.7% in 2007.

Prison education is another trend that is being witnessed in modern prisons. ICT and various short courses have been introduced in various prisons to help prisoners pursue their career when in sentence. The measures implemented according to this trend include personalized instruction and support, perfect assessment of prisoners’ capabilities and inabilities and implementing flexible curriculum. Additionally, career and educational guidance have been incorporated to facilitate literacy among inmates. Ancient prison education involved rehabilitation to facilitate reformation but not career education.

Prison libraries are an emerging development in correction systems. Colorado State Library has Institutional Library development section which serves approximately 15 thousand inmates in various correctional departments across the state.  The correctional library offers academic freedom and Prisoner’s Rights to Read. The authorities strongly believe that the library can reform offenders to fit in the society and be law abiding citizens.

Prison design is another architectural area being given emphasis by prison authorities. This is an indication of rejuvenation of interest in correctional systems. Various countries are supporting the issue of expanding and revolutionizing prison accommodation. The achievement varies in different countries. In the Americas, there have been vast prison constructions, whereas prison constructions in Spain and other European nations are extremely traditional buildings. Fortress-like constructions also exist in some countries like Germany.

On the flipside of the coin, there are trends that are impacting negatively on the correctional systems. The issue of overcrowding in prison is a major challenge to correctional systems. The causative factor of overcrowding is the rising trend in prison admission. Present crowding rates in many prisons are higher than in the previous years. Future prospects of crowding rates are anticipated to be much higher than the prior if no solution is offered to address the issue.

Administrative challenges are emerging as negative trends in correctional systems. The increased population of inmates renders administration of prison systems difficult. As a result, accountability, performance measures, planning and vision actualization are narrowed down. Other causative factor to administrative challenges is the poor funding of correctional systems. To avert this issue the government should adequately fund prisons and increase workforce. Additionally, rehabilitation is important to avoid readmission of inmates.

Poor medical care in prisons is a rising trend that needs to be addressed as quickly as possible. This study finds that approximately, more than 1.5 million prisoners released annually are infected with infectious diseases. The increasing number of inmates has led to some correctional facilities having two or three doctors. To prevent the problem prisons and other correctional systems should perform clinical tests and treat diseases to reduce the prevalence of contagious diseases.

Discussion

The reducing tendency in alternative sentencing can be linked to non-citizen inmates in federal prison population. The non-citizens are confined before deportation. In 2007, a third of the offenders were non-citizens and majority overwhelmingly illegal foreigners.  The trend of prison education implies that the rate of understanding of offenders’ legal rights and educational needs are showing an upward trend. The expansion of prisons as a design method means that prisons’ humanitarian needs are considered to avoid the dangers of overcrowding.

Conclusion

The research has reviewed the various trends in correctional systems. Some of the trends have positive impacts whereas other negatively affects correctional systems. Trends that seem to be advantageous include prison education and design. Trends that negatively affect prison systems include increasing prison population, poor medical care, and administrative issues.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Carlson, P., & Garrett, J. (2007). Prison and jail administration: practice and theory. New York: Jones & Bartlett Learning .

Rikard, R., & Rosenberg, E. (2007). Aging Inmates: A Convergence of Trends in the American Criminal Justice System. Sage Journals, 150-162.

Roth, M. (2006). Prisons and prison systems: a global encyclopedia. new York: Greenwood Publishing Group.