Jails and Prisons

Jail and prison populations are affected by several factors, which house approximately 2.13 inmates. Among these is the issue of illegal drugs in our country. Statistics display that for many years, the amount of inmates sentenced to jails or prison far exceed that of those sentenced for violent crimes and property crimes. The creation of truth-in-sentencing laws, as well as deterioration of godly, and family morals and values also play a significant factor. There are also those that would argue that television, movies, and video games also play a large role in the violent offender category. To put it in a nut shell, this nation has taken the view that it is easier to lock criminals up that to deal with them in other manners (Peak, 2007, p 244).

In 1984 Washington State introduced truth-in-sentencing laws for inmates.

The idea behind this was to restrict or eliminate good time credits as well as parole. Other states were quick to follow after it was determined in 1966 that inmates were only serving on average 44 percent of their sentence. In order to insure that inmates served more of their sentence, additional moneys were appropriated by the United States Congress for prisons and jails providing they were in compliance with truth-in-sentencing services and programs. As part of the conditions of receiving funding, states were required to insure that inmates completed a minimum of 85 percent of their sanction. As of 1998, approximately 27 states as well as the District of Columbia have qualified for Congressional funding as where 14 other states have gotten rid of early parole all together (Peak, 2007, p 244).

A rational shift concerning the reason of imprisonment also added to

crowded prisons. As a result the evident breakdown of rehabilitation policy,

Prevailing philosophy now views prisons as places to lock up and discipline