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| Project 1: Research an Issue in Corrections Instructions Project 1: Research an Issue in Corrections (15 points) Project Objectives To research a specific issue in the field of correctional management To critically analyze journal articles that reflect current or recent perspectives on that issue Assignment Using library resources, find two (2) journal articles relating to one single particular issue in correctional management. (The designated topics are listed below.) The UMUC Library is an excellent source for journal articles. See RESOURCES-> Library on the classroom tool bar, or See CONTENT-> Guide to Criminal Justice Resources Critique the quality of each article. Based upon the methodology of the study conducted, do you think the results are reliable and valid? Summarize the main points of both articles and then compare those main points. Do the articles reach the same conclusion? Analyze the articles and determine whether you believe that the conclusion(s) of the articles agree with your perception of the correctional management issue. Explain the basis for your conclusion. Topics: (Spring 2016) Overcrowding in prisons and jails Mental Health Services Sex Offender programs Format Requirements Paper should be a minimum of three, maximum of 5 pages in APA format Narrative pages: Double space, 12 pt. font, 1” margins Use APA format for all in-text and reference page citations Include reference page using APA format guidelines (not included in word count) NOTE: All sources materials cited on the reference page must have a corresponding in-text citation in the narrative of the paper. Additionally create a cover page for your assignment (not included in word count) Include your name Course title and number Project title Date of submission |
Answer
The idea of establishing prisons arose from the need to create correctional opportunities for convicted offenders. However, overcrowding makes it difficult for this function to be achieved. This paper critically analyzes the issue of overcrowding in prisons. The two articles to be critiqued are Huey & McNulty (2005) and Haney (2006). Overcrowding is an evident problem in many correctional facilities is the US. The number of incarcerated individuals constantly increases but the capacity of the facilities remains the same. Overcrowding has adverse psychological effects on those living in the facility (Haney, 2006). It makes prisons a pain-inflicting institution as opposed to one that produces benefits. This is the case because with high population numbers, it becomes difficult for the prison management to initiate programs that are aimed at educating and improving the general life of the inmates.
The first article, Haney (2006), promotes the view that overcrowding has consequences on the prisoners’ health particularly psychological health. This, according to Haney (2006), is the case because overcrowded prisons face difficulties in terms of establishing and adhering to effective programming. In addition to this, there are increased conflicts among the inmates due to the increased prison population and idleness. (Haney, 2006). Overcrowding therefore has adverse effects on the general wellbeing of the inmates. The validity of Haney’s (2006) article may not be questioned due to the author’s effective use of the explanatory research methodology to explain the relationship between prison overcrowding and negative psychological consequences.
On the other hand, Huey and McNuity (2005) addresses the issue of higher rates of suicide in overcrowded prisons. According to Huey & McNuity (2006), overcrowding is a dominant feature in prisons that greatly contributes to deprivation, and this increases the probability of suicide. This is the case because of there are more interactions in overcrowded prisons than in other prisons. Moreover, due to idleness and absence of beneficial programs in the prisons, deprivation leads to conflicts.
Victimization may also occur, and this greatly contributes to suicide attempts. Solitary confinement which is a form of punishment also contributes greatly to the high number of suicides in overcrowded prisons. The methodology that Huey and McNuity (2006) use involves a review of national data on prison conditions in the United States. The clarity of the analysis of this data greatly enhances the study’s findings particularly in regards to the relationship between prison suicide and overcrowding. The paper is of high quality as it uses actual data to arrive at its conclusion.
In contrast, Haney (2006) arrives at the conclusion that overcrowding has psychological effects on the inmates as a result of ineffective programming occasioned by a high number of inmates being monitored by a low number of prison wardens. Increased population and its negative effects on programming puts strain on available resources, making overcrowded prisons psychologically harmful (Haney, 2006). The study also explains the concept of double celling, which is the practice of housing two prisoners in a cell that usually holds one person. Haney (2006) also explains that overcrowded prisons rarely screen the inmates for mental disorders therefore, it is difficult to know which individuals have mental health problems before they are incarcerated.
This view lends credence to Hue and McNuity’s (2006) assertion that suicide attempts are notably higher in overcrowded prisons than in other population-regulated prisons. Inmates who may have had a mental disorder in their past show higher possibility to commit suicide. However, due to the difficulty that arises with screening inmates for mental disorders in overcrowded prisons, it is difficult for the management to identify and give treatment to this patients. In many cases, treatment would be in the form of counselling. In addition to this, since there are reduced resources in prisons, it is difficult for the prisoners to acquire the treatment they need when they require it. Suicide could also arise as a result of victimization which would be common among young inmates. This phenomenon, along with mental health disorders leads to high suicide attempts in prisons.
Overcrowded prisons are difficult to operate if the number of managing personnel remains the same against regular increase in the number of prisoners. Effective programming of an overcrowded prison is difficult due to the ratio of the facilities capacity against the increased number of prisoners. It is therefore difficult for the facility to achieve its objective of rehabilitation due to the insufficient resources available. Overcrowding creates adverse conditions which can harm the prisoners thus leading to psychological effects which if not treated eventually lead to suicide attempts.
In conclusion, the two articles provide a detailed analysis of the problem of overcrowding and its negative psychological effects. The findings indicate that overcrowding is indeed one of the main reasons why prisons fail to achieve the objective of correcting and improving the life of the inmates. The issue has to be solved through building more prisons, releasing petty offenders with punishments such as community work (Hurling, 2002) This will reduce overcrowding in prisons and enable prison authorities undertaking programming initiatives that can enhance psychological wellbeing of the prisoners. The conclusions of these articles agree with my perception of the issue of overcrowding, which I feel is a leading cause of psychological problems such as increased suicide rates.
References
Haney, C. (2006). The Wages of Prison Overcrowding: Harmful Psychological Consequences and Dysfunctional Correctional Reactions, Washington University Journal of Law & Policy, 22, 265.
Huey, M. P. & McNulty, T. L. (2005). Institutional conditions and prison suicide: Conditional effects of deprivation and overcrowding. The Prison Journal, 85(4), 490-514.
Huling, T. (2002). Building a Prison Economy in Rural America. The New Press.
