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Argumentative Essay On Incarceration

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The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world, with approximately 2.2 million individuals currently behind bars. This number is staggering when compared to other nations, with the US accounting for only 5% of the worlds population but 255 of the worlds prisoners. The high rate of imprisonment in the US has been a topic of debate for years, with many questioning the effectiveness of this approach to criminal justice.
According to a report by the World Prison Brief, the United States has the highest rate of incarceration in the world, with 655 prisoners per 100,000 population. This is significantly higher than other countries such as China, Russia, and Brazil, which have rates of 118, 415, and 324 prisoners per 100,000 population, …show more content…

While some prisons provide adequate living conditions and access to healthcare, education, and job training programs, others are overcrowded, understaffed, and lack basic necessities such as clean water, food, and medical care. In some cases, prisoners are subjected to physical and sexual abuse by staff or other inmates. Additionally, many prisoners suffer from mental health problems, substance abuse, and other health issues that are not adequately addressed in the prison system. These conditions can have a significant impact on the well-being of prisoners and their ability to successfully reenter society after …show more content…

Advocates argue that the current system is not effective at reducing crime and that it disproportionately impacts marginalized communities. Some proposals for reform include reducing mandatory minimums, providing alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenses, and investing in programs that address the root causes of crime, such as poverty, mental illness, and substance abuse.
While it is difficult to say definitively that other countries' prison systems are "better" than the United States', there are certainly differences in how other countries approach incarceration that may be worth examining. For example, some countries focus more on rehabilitation and reintegration than punishment, and have lower rates of recidivism as a result. Countries like Norway and Germany focus more on rehabilitation and reintegration than punishment, which may be more effective at reducing recidivism and promoting public safety in the long run. One example of a country with a different approach to incarceration is Norway. Norwegian prisons are known for being more humane and rehabilitative than those in the United States. In Norway, prisoners are housed in small, private rooms with access to amenities like TVs and computers. They are also provided with education, job training, and mental health services to help them prepare for reentry into society. The goal of the Norwegian prison system is not

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