Rate Of Incarceration

Introduction The rate of prison population has been increasing each year and it is causing problems not only with the prisoners but with society itself. People are being thrown into prison for petty crimes and given small to large sentences to be taught a lesson to not commit crimes. The prisons are being overcrowded with people, affecting the mental state of a person. Not only is it hurting the prisoners, but the amount of money to run a prison is increasing so we can keep the prisoners alive and well. The government is offering help that is effecting society’s bank accounts through taxes. This paper will examine how the increasing rate of incarceration effects families, society, and the prisoners.

Background

The prison system

In 1997 a little less than half of prisoners had committed a part 1 crime (murder, assault, and robbery). An average of “60% of Federal prisoners were serving time for drug crimes serving around 40 months in prison” (Pettit 152). This number seems very high but people in the 1900’s did not commit as many crimes because it was unlawful and people were more respectful. The thought of murder was so rare and did not occur as often as it does today. In the 1980’s there was a drug epidemic of cocaine distribution and that is when the rate of drug crimes increased in the prison system.

Literature Review When a person is sent to prison they are unaware of what the outcome of their life will be. The impact of a prisoner can solely depend on how well the prison is kept up to standards. As soon as an individual is sentenced they are taken out of the work force, “incarceration thus pushes the incarcerated out of the labor market, reduces the number of weeks worked per year, and confines former inmates to low –paying and low-status jobs” (Wakefield 395), putting the prisoners in the prison work force. These jobs may include working in the kitchen or cleaning the floors. In some prisons a job comes

The largest effect would be on the children that the inmates leave behind. There are negatives and positive impacts on children of the incarcerated. The negative effects include, “higher rates of internalizing behavior (depression and anxiety) and antisocial behavior tendencies (conduct disorder, antisocial personality disorder, and psychopathy)” (Novero 762), causing problems at home. Along with behavior, some children take their parents mistake into heart and try to better themselves for the sake of not doing the same as their parents. While the children can be effected from separation issues, the other parent or guardian may be lacking on income, effecting living conditions. The income can also come with mortgage issues or paying for those who are in the prison. Even though a person in prison in not at home, “Debts and child support orders often continue to accrue during spells of incarceration, but the extremely low rates of pay for prison work leave inmates with little real opportunity to contribute materially to families left behind” Wakefield 397). A family can put money into commissary which allows the inmate to buy personal needs (razors, feminine products, shampoo, toothpaste, or stamps) and maybe a snack. Not only are the families losing the income from the parent in prison, but they also have to provide for them on the inside to get the things that they need. They are not supported by