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Introduction
There are a variety of reasons why the United States has a higher incarceration rate when compared to other nations. Some of these reasons include the policy shift in corrections amongst politicians, American exceptionalism, population growth within the country, and punitive actions. While there continues to be much debate on incapacitation, there seem to be limited solutions towards solving the high incarceration rates in the United States.
Reasons for Incarceration Rates
It is striking to consider how much political oversight plays a role in the outcome of correctional policies. Cullen and Jonson (2017) mention, “during the 1970s politicians took a different approach to correctional policy by ensuring voters the main focus on crime control would be to lock up criminals” (p.122). While this approach may have seemed sensible, it has only created a host of other issues involving punishment. The direction politicians have taken towards correctional policy has greatly shaped why the United States has a higher incarceration rate than other countries.
Another reason for such high rates has been America’s focus on being different. Cullen and Jonson (2017) mention, “American exceptionalism should be seen as the main factor for why prisons have reached their capacity within the United States” (p.124). Taking the stance of being different has led to correctional policies implementing more stringent punitive measures that are not common amongst other countries. This type of confidence in our correctional system has only led to the high incarceration rates that exist.
An easily overlooked factor that should be considered is how the population of the United States has grown, leading to higher incarceration rates. Cullen and Jonson (2017) mention, “the growth in population during the last few decades, could also be seen as a driving factor in the increase of the prison population” (p.121). It is crucial to mention that population growth has an indirect effect on incarceration rates within the United States. The general sentiment would be that because there are more people within the country, it can serve as an explanation as to why the prisons have become overcrowded.
The higher rates have much to do with laws and policies revolving around punishment.
Cullen and Jonson (2017) mention, “when compared to other countries, the United States has been shown to be the most-strict in punishing each type of crime” (p.118). Given this information, it seems the United States is much more quickly than most countries to enact punishment for any crime committed. With this information outlined, it is clear as to why the United States has a higher incarceration rate compared to other nations.
Impact on the Country
The offenders that end up serving time within the correctional institutions may create a negative perception amongst the public. Cullen and Jonson (2017) mention, “it is believed that prisons hold many low-level offenders who do not Impose a serious criminal threat on the society” (p.123). Given this view this it has an impact on the country by creating negative perception of the correctional system amongst the citizens. It does not make sense for citizens to support prisons if they believe the wrong type of offenders are being incarcerated and punished.
Another impact is how racial inequalities exist within the correctional system, which through mass incarceration only widens the presented issues. Cullen and Jonson (2017) mention, “the correctional system is host to inequalities amongst African American offenders.” (p.136). This has a major impact on the country as a whole because racial inequalities within the justice system only elude to further racial divide within the country. So, mass incarceration can have major implications for the progress and unity of the country, considering the existing racial inequalities.
Another impact of mass incarceration is the likelihood of prisons causing offenders to commit more crimes when they return to the community. Cullen and Jonson (2017) mention, “it is likely that imprisonment results in further criminal actions” (p.137). While there may be much debate on this topic, whether it has to do with labeling or replacement, there is a relationship that exists. Ultimately Prisons should not be a causing factor of crime, and if that is the case, then punitive sanctions fail to prevent crime.
Benefits
While not entirely clear, there have been benefits to the utilization of incarcerating so many people within the prison. Cullen and Jonson (2017) mention “prison expansion may prevent crime for only a period of time” (p.140). While this is clearly a major benefit and shows why mass incarceration should be encouraged, it is crucial policymakers recognize its downfalls. Clearly, there are benefits to mass incarceration, but its utilization has shown to have a breaking point where it no longer has as much of an intended effect. So while it may not be ideal for releasing every prisoner within the correctional system, it may be more effective to limit or slow down how many offenders receive prison time based on their risks to society.
Christian World View
It is beneficial to incorporate a Christian worldview when discussing the topic of mass incarceration because it can aid criminal justice practitioners in overcoming many of the conflicting challenges. The common narrative around mass incarceration would be to ensure that criminals receive punishment through imprisonment for the crimes they committed. Colossians (2021) states, “for the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality” (3:25). While supporters and non-supporters of mass incarceration tactics may disagree, it is crucial both sides come together in order for the correctional system to function efficiently. With this specific bible passage, it should be considered that even without prison, God will ensure you will receive punishment for your wrongdoing. So if prison is not applicable through the continuously changing policy and law, that is okay because eventually, the individual will receive some form of punishment through the lord. Genesis (2021) states, “whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image” (9:6). This should serve as another stark reminder through faith that actions will always have consequences.
References
Bible, K. J. (n.d.). King James Bible Online (Original work published 1769 ed.). (https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/, Ed.)
Cullen, F. T. (2017). Correctional Theory. Los Angeles: Sage.
Introduction
The United States has at any time over 2.2 million members of its society behind bars in either state or federal prisons. This number has grown out of control and when compared to the rest of the world, we incarcerate more of our population than any other country. Surprisingly, we are well ahead of Russia and not that far ahead of China. Cullen et al (2017) stated that “the United States accounts for only 5% of the world’s population and yet houses over 22% of the 10 million people incarcerated in the world.” (p 118) You would think that such totalitarian countries like Russia and China would surely incarcerate more than the United States known as the land of the free, home of the brave.
Why We Love Our Prisons
The United States loves placing people in prison. Many countries of the world do not use their prison system in the same manner as does the United States. The general feeling in the United States is that if we lock up those committing crime, they can no longer be a threat to society. What is wrong with this system is that those that commit crime do it for a variety of reasons. We do not take into consideration the “what’s” and “whys” of people committing crime, we assume they are just bad and need to be locked way to protect society from further harm. The problem with this policy is that beyond incapacitation, nothing is done to reduce recidivism. Cullen et al (2017) found that two thirds of those released from California prisons went on to commit crimes and return to prison within two years.
Why is it that we think that mass incarceration is the answer to reducing crime? There is a sense that we reduce crime if we lock up an offender and keep them from committing future crimes. Cullen et al, (2017) found that to measure the effectiveness in reducing crime through incarceration there needs to be a comparison made to how much crime would be prevented if we spent the same amount of money on intervention programs. (p 116) A considered benefit to this mass incarceration approach might be that there is a reduction in crime rates when offenders are locked away and no longer able to commit crimes. But what is the actual cost to benefits ratio?
In the United States our approach to placing our citizens in prisons is very different than that of the rest of the world. Many crimes that will get you a harsh, long, and severe prison sentence here in the United States would not land you in prison in many western countries. An example of this type of offenses is drug related crimes. There are others that the United States will place an offender behind bars and for a long time compared to other countries. According to Cullen et al (2017) “the United States was at the top of the list of countries that incarcerate offenders for the most serious crimes. The United States was found to be the most punitive country for all the crime types.” (p 117)
When policies are driven by politics and not by science and “what works” and “what does not work,” any system can be a failure. In the United States much of our criminal justice policies, and to the point of this discussion, correctional policies are based on what politicians promise to get reelected. They all promise a “get tough” on crime approach because that is what most Americans desire. Who does not want their communities safer for their children? These political promises lead to legislation and new laws and sentencing guidelines. Tougher sentencing means longer prison terms, and this leads to more prisoners lock up in our prisons. During the 1970’s and the 1990’s federal legislative efforts designed to pursue the get tough on crime efforts and promote tougher sentencing offered incentive grant programs for prison construction and expansions to states that adopted such policies. (Neal, 2016)
Unfortunately, these policies that come from policies based on political promises only serve to fill our prison system beyond capacity because that is what we want in America. (Cullen et al, 2017)
Impact on Our Country
This policy or practice of mass incapacitation has come at a very high cost to our country. The more money that must be spent on prisons and taking care of those inmates, the less money there is to spend on other worth while programs. In California, the estimated cost of the prison system is over nine billion a year, or approximately $34,000 per year on each inmate. Cullen et al (2017) stated that “California spent more on prisons and inmates than it did on higher education. That the state spent 10% of its annual budget on prison cost and just 7% on education.” (p. 114) If the United States continues to spend such a high amount of its annual budget on incarceration, the affects of that money not being spent somewhere else in our communities will have a long-lasting effect.
Conclusion
What are the choices that the United States must make for future of corrections and reducing crime? Do we continue to warehouse criminals in mass quantities and build more prisons? Or do we find alternative ways to send our resources to intervene and solve the causes of criminal offending. Other countries have reduced crime and found better answers to these issues than we have. The definition of insanity is repeating the same actions over and over and expecting a different result. It is time for the United States to wake up and realize that we are insane in the way we are dealing with crime.
World Christian View
Crime and criminals have always been a part of this world. We can read many stories in the bible about how Jesus spent time not only with those that followed him, but also with those that did not. Jesus ate with tax collectors and thieves. As our society tries to find answers to the problem of crime and criminals, we must understand that as Christians we need to find a way to keep society safe and still treat our fellow man with dignity and respect and bring them back to Jesus. Jesus wants all of us to treat each other as we would treat him if he were before us. “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brother, you did it to me.’ (Mathew 25:40) Prisons might be an answer to some forms of crime and criminals, but it is not “the” answer to it all.
References
Cullen F., Jonson C. (2017), Correctional Theory; Context and Consequences Sage Publishing
Neal D., Armin R. (2016), The Prison Boom and Sentencing The journal of legal studies
