The Pros And Cons Of Prison Overcrowding

181 Words1 Pages
There are many challenges facing corrections today such as prison overcrowding, early release/parole, lack of rehabilitation programs and prisoners receiving longer sentences for crimes they committed called the 10-20-Life penalty. A survey taken by the Florida’s Department of Corrections in 1998 noted that “over half of those who responded (56.5%) said overcrowding (28.5%) and early prison release/gain time/parole (28.0%) are the departments of corrections biggest problem” (Tucker, 1998). The history of punishing convicted offenders date back over 200 years ago and included flogging, mutilation, branding, public humiliation, workhouses, and exile. Prison overcrowding has been an issue since the 1980’s. On January 1, 2007, America’s prison