CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

Correctional Facility: How Prisons Impact Inmates and Society

Correctional facilities, commonly known as prisons, are an integral part of modern criminal justice systems. Prisons are used to house individuals convicted of crimes as well as those awaiting trial. The goals of prisons are to both punish and rehabilitate inmates, but the reality of this system has been the subject of much debate. This article will examine the impact of prisons on inmates and society, as well as discuss possible alternatives.

The primary goal of a prison is to punish inmates by depriving them of their freedom and subjecting them to varying degrees of hardship. This is done in an effort to discourage criminal behavior and deter future crime. The secondary goal of prisons is to rehabilitate inmates and help them re-enter society as productive members (Schmalleger, 2021). Unfortunately, prisons often fail to accomplish either of these goals. Studies have found that prisons are generally overcrowded, understaffed, and provide inadequate mental health resources (Bonta, Wallace-Capretta, & Rooney, 2015; Koons, 2015). These conditions often lead to higher recidivism rates and further entrench inmates in cycles of crime (Bonta et al., 2015).

The impact of prisons on society is also significant. Prisons are expensive to build and maintain, and this financial burden is passed on to taxpayers. Studies have also shown that prisons disproportionately incarcerate people of color and those from disadvantaged backgrounds (Koons, 2015). This has resulted in an overrepresentation of minority groups in the prison population and further perpetuates existing social inequities.

Alternative approaches to criminal justice have been proposed as a way to address these issues. Restorative justice is one such approach that focuses on repairing the harm caused by crime and restoring relationships between the offender and the victim (Schmalleger, 2021). This approach provides an opportunity for victims to be heard and for offenders to take responsibility for their actions. Other alternatives include community service, probation, and drug rehabilitation centers (Koons, 2015). These approaches are often much more successful in reducing recidivism and providing meaningful rehabilitation for offenders.

In conclusion, prisons play an important role in criminal justice systems, but they are not without their shortcomings. Prisons have a significant impact on inmates and society, and it is important to consider alternative approaches to criminal justice. Restorative justice, community service, and other alternatives have the potential to reduce recidivism and provide meaningful rehabilitation for offenders.

References
Bonta, J., Wallace-Capretta, S., & Rooney, J. (2015). The effectiveness of correctional programming in reducing recidivism: Results from a meta-analysis. The Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice, 57(2), 177–198.

Koons, B. (2015). The role of prisons in the criminal justice system. The Oxford Handbook of Sentencing and Corrections, 30-45.

Schmalleger, F. (2021). Corrections: An Introduction (5th ed.). Pearson.

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