Overpopulation in Prisons

22

Overpopulation within Prisons

Dana Kyle Ray

December 6th 2020

Overpopulation within Prisons

I. THE PROBLEM

For many years; jurisdictions, providences, state & local authorities and principalities have tried to reform issues facing prisons. Overpopulation appears to be an overwhelming issue within prison reform as a whole. Not only is overpopulation due to recidivism, other problems facing prison reform are is the improper sentencing guidelines in the criminal justice system, inadequate education and trade programs within the prisons and neglected rehabilitation services and budgeting, all of which contribute to overpopulation. Comment by Robert Diemer: Cut down to one paragraph Comment by Court Services: This appears to be a run-on sentence. I think if worded Comment by Court Services: Should be “instead of “is” since it is plural.

The purpose of this paper is to determine and understandthe issues, and understand while recognize issues within prison reform and, concludeing with recommendations and suggestions. Although previous attempts at prison reform have been unsuccessful over the years, it is in the best interest of the Criminal Justice System to understand what is worksing and what has failed. To be able interpret this information, will allow learning of what went wrong, how it can be improved in the present and how it can be executed moving forward. Therefore, the future of prison reform, will be a better reflection upon the strides, efforts and changes now, then than that of the failed attempts of years past. Comment by Court Services: Not needed. Sentence was incomplete. Comment by Court Services: Reword sentence Comment by Court Services: Reword to “works: Comment by Court Services: Rephrase this part of the sentence so that it flows smoothly. “Interpreting this information will allow…” Comment by Court Services: Your wording is a little confusing. Remove the comma and rephrase sentence. “Therefore, the future of prison reform will be a better reflection upon strides, efforts, and current changes than that of failed attempts in the past.” Comment by Court Services: Should be “than” instead of “then”

II. FACTORS BEARING THE PROBLEM

For the purpose of this paper, there will be four areas of focus. These areas with will be the leading factors that contribute to the overpopulation in the Prison Systems. There are many factors, however, these are the factors bearing the problem with overpopulation. Comment by Court Services: Wrong word. Remove “with” replace with “will”

· The Improper Sentencing Guidelines

It is vital that the sentencing guidelines be followed and upheld to the highest standards so that law and order is maintained. When imprisoning someone for years that only constitutes for one to six months incarcerated is an example of improper sentencing. This can and will not continue to happen if there is to be success in prison reform. Comment by Court Services: Word not needed. Comment by Court Services: Word not needed. Comment by Court Services: This sentence needs to be reworded. I am unclear of what you are trying to state. Comment by Court Services: What can and will not continue to happen?

· Over Incarceration of Non-Violent Offenders

Over Incarceration is the leading issue when it comes to non-violent offenders such as minor drug offenses, traffic citations or local ordinance issues. The first step to clearing the over population in the prisons areis to release that of non-violent offends back into society and be regular citizens. Comment by Court Services: Not sure if you meant to talk about non-violent offenders or if you meant non-violent offenses. If you meant “Over Incarceration is the leading issue when it comes to non-violent offenders, then the words “such as” should not be used because minor drug offenses, traffic citations or local ordinance issues are not offenders they are offenses. When you use the words “such as”, it suggests that you are giving example of what you were talking about. Consider rewording to “non-violent offenders with offenses such as ….” Comment by Court Services: Step is singular so this should be “is” instead of “are”.

· Lack of Rehabilitation/ Trade Services

There should be better opportunities for all people in prison not just a select few. There needs to be real-world trade and rehab services for all inmates to allow them to for learning trades, receivinge the rehabilitation they need to upon release, so they can and merge in with society with some gravitas and not reoffend. be return violators. Comment by Court Services: Consider rephrasing.

· Deficiency in Budgeting

As with most facilities there are budgets in the prisons. These budgets include many areas in which there is money allocated out into certain areas. Budget needs cannot be met if the allocation of funds is not being disbursed correctly. A statement and balance check list need to be in use so that what is coming and going can be accounted for. More importantly so the Warden can have an account of all money coming and going.

III. Discussion

The sentencing guidelines require following and need upholding the highest standards to maintain law and order (Papa & Kashman, 2018). When imprisoning someone for years that only constitutes one to six months, incarcerated is an example of improper sentencing. Prisons have policies and procedures in place that, with significant oversight, both internal and external, one can be released and receive direction and after-release care that also considers their housing and health care as a whole (Jennett, 2020). Comment by Court Services: Rephrase Comment by Court Services: Again this sentence is unclear. Comment by Robert Diemer: Remove do not use examples Comment by Court Services: Seems like a run-on sentence. Consider rephrasing.

This can and will not continue to happen if there is to be a success in Prison Reform. The state and the federal legislators have passed inevitable laws creating draconian sentencing to law offenders and ridiculous parole schemes designed to keep ever-increasing numbers of inmates in prisons. However, they their actions have also led to overcrowding in the prisons, leading to low living standards of inmates. An uncouth policy, such as the mandatory minimum sentencing, is amongst the improper sentencing guidelines. This has forced judges to issue severe sentences regardless of individual factors meriting leniency, and the three-strioke law, which expands the number of crimes subject to life and life-without-parole sentences (Serota, 2020). Comment by Court Services: What can and will not? Reword this sentence. Comment by Robert Diemer: Remove this is opinion Comment by Robert Diemer: Who said? Comment by Robert Diemer: Remove opinion…only facts are to be used. Comment by Robert Diemer: Watch all of these types of words. This is opinion, and only facts should be stated. You say uncouth but others may have a different interpretation. Comment by Court Services: Word misspelled. Should be strike.

These unethical policies have increased the number of inmates imprisoned and led to an unnecessary lengthening of their imprisonment and limited opportunities for their release. These factors have led to a soaring problem in overcrowding in prisons. Another issue that causes overpopulation and overcrowding in U.S. prisons is that of the people pending trial dates., and Iin April 2000, that number was up from 24,265 to 63,964 (Fagan, 2004). With the current sentencing guidelines, there are too many issues, loopholes, and contradictions that allow for low-risk offenders to stay incarcerated for much longer than those imprisoned for first-degree murder. The judge is more than just “a judge,” they are seen as social workers and have to make the right choices based on character, competency, mental health and they’re over all well-being when in the courtroom setting. Both in sentencing, incarceration and after such as probation or house arrest (Jones, 2009). Comment by Robert Diemer: Who said? Comment by Robert Diemer: Again… Comment by Robert Diemer: Just state the facts. Comment by Court Services: This should be two snetences. Comment by Robert Diemer: Who said Comment by Robert Diemer: Has nothing to do with Improper Sentencing Guidelines Comment by Court Services: Incomplete sentence

According to Kaeble (2018), the time from admissions to the actual release date is 2.6 years with the with an average of 46% serving out maximum sentence release. Most state prisoners in 2016 with full sentences only served 46% of their term before being released from imprisoned prison and head back into the communities they came from before being locked up. Additionally, individuals charged with murder, non-negligent manslaughter, or the similar actions actions,alike only served, on average, fifteen years of their original punishment in state prison before being released. On the other hand, inmates deemed "extremely" violent on average only spent 4.7 years incarcerated before actually being released. Persons incarcerated for heinous crimes such as rape or sexual assault were among the individuals that served a longer length prison sentence both in percentage and in years, collectively sixty-two percent on average. Comment by Robert Diemer: Who said? Comment by Court Services: Wrong word Comment by Court Services: Word not needed Comment by Court Services: Removed some words and added comma

While in contrast, the offenders of reckless homicide or robbery were at a lower fifty-eight percent. According to the United States Sentencing Commission (2019), there are many different sentencing guidelines such as probations, imprisonment, supervised releases, restitution, or fines. If one is led to believe that judges can impose such sentencing to someone based on the crime in which he/ she committed. The sentencing guidelines use that of a sentencing table that has 43 offense levels, four zones, and six different columns that set up in such ways that upon learning of a crime, one could quickly look at the table, depending on which zone and offense; will dictate which length of period one much be/ remain or placed under incarcerations. Comment by Robert Diemer: Who said? Comment by Robert Diemer: Remove… I have never heard of a charge: Reckless homicide Comment by Robert Diemer: Need to give me facts about the problem of Improper Sentencing Guidelines Comment by Court Services: Incomplete sentence. Comment by Court Services: This is a super run-on sentence. Remove some of the “that” wording throughout sentence.

This is a guide that is to be used hen when an offender shows up in a courtroom as a habitual offender; what might be thirty-days imprisonment for a new offender might very well be much longer for the habitual offender. There are many reasons why a judge or lawyer might deem someone a repeat offender, and in turn, their sentencing will always be longer. There are such projects as the "Three Strikes Project," which states that the person who committed a newer felony after having committed a similar act previously, which would ultimately receive a prison sentence double the term. If the offender were to be on their last and final strike, then the three strikes law would automatically impose a 25 to a life sentence (Couzens, 2017). Many people believe that this law/ project was unconstitutional because the second or third crimes they committed might not be as severe as the first. No matter the crime, the law states, after three strikes, one will be tried and sentenced for the crimes they committed. Comment by Robert Diemer: Not interested in the guide Comment by Robert Diemer: Who said? Comment by Court Services: Misspelled word. Comment by Robert Diemer: This is what happens and not a fact for the problem of Improper Sentencing Guidelines Comment by Robert Diemer: Who said?

On the other side of the bill, before the fourth quarter of the year of being enacted, there were over one-thousand inmates that were released from prison. Moreover, less than two percent would be repeat offenders or that of new crimes. In California, the taxpayers could save roughly ten to thirteen million dollars in citizens' tax dollars. This would ultimately mean a total savings of more than one billion dollars over the next several years. With this law in place, it is not only saving people's lives and keeping them out of prison, but it is also sending out a warning and a message that if you should commit a crime, there will be consequences. Comment by Robert Diemer: What does this have to do with Improper Sentencing Guidelines Comment by Robert Diemer: What bill? Comment by Robert Diemer: From what? You do not say. Comment by Robert Diemer: This is a benefit and not a problem so REMOVE it from here

Finally, the sentencing guidelines are there as a guide, with people that commit heinous crimes, petty crimes, or simple crimes. One must understand there are punishments that are in place for such actions. Moreover, when someone commits a crime, whether under nolo contendere, the three strikes project, or one of the other laws out there. There will be consequences that will have to be paid to society. With these guidelines, more people would not want to commit crimes and remain out of the prison system. During a global pandemic, the sentencing guidelines for non-violent offenders or that of petty crimes, could pay fines, house arrest or simply require to do all in addition to community service depending upon the severity of the non-violent crime committed with still maintaining proper law and order (Bertoia, 2020). Comment by Robert Diemer: Remove Comment by Robert Diemer: Remove as this has nothing to do with the problem of Improper Sentencing Guidelines

Over incarceration is the leading issue when it comes to non-violent offenders such as minor drug offenses, traffic citations, or local ordinance issues. Ranging from the mid-1970s, increasing its rates in the early 1980s & 1990s in response to the uncertain increased crime rates and reports on the prevalence of drug abuse and drug-related crimes, lawmakers around the country have enacted harsh minimum sentencing laws that are designed to sternly punish the manufacturer, users and the sale of drugs among other crimes (Fagan, 2004). Comment by Court Services: Review comments about this sentence from above Comment by Robert Diemer: Remove…too old nothing before 2004 Comment by Court Services: Add comma

These inflexible and extremely lengthy sentencing laws bar the judges from tailoring an ordinary punishment according to the individuals and the seriousness of the offense. The judges have also been permanently barred from looking at factors such as the individual's role in the offense or the likelihood of the offender's probability of committing a subsequent crime. Under the current federal law, most of the mandatory minimum sentences apply to drug crimes, and they are normally based on the weight of the drugs involved (Fandos & Cochrane, 2018). Comment by Robert Diemer: Who said?

Cadigan (2004) mentions ways in which one could go from being incarcerated to being a free man or woman. The reentry of someone from the prison system with the correct policies and procedures would make for an easy transition. However, it will not be the easiest because someone that might have been locked up for more than 5-10 years might have a culture shock upon release. These sentences begin at five years for certain drug possession offenses and extend to life with or without parole. Another uncivilized law is that three federal drug offenses can result in life without parole even if the offense is relatively minor. The first step to clearing the overpopulation in the prisons is to release that of non-violent offends back into society and be regular citizens. When someone with a criminal history of drugs, theft, or say traffic citations, they might be viewed as a habitual violator. With the certain laws that are enacted, depending upon the previous convections, they might be looking at a sentence longer than a first-time offender. Comment by Robert Diemer: Has nothing to do with Over Incarceration of Non-Violent Offenders- REMOVE Comment by Robert Diemer: Who said? Comment by Robert Diemer: Comment by Robert Diemer: Remove Comment by Robert Diemer: Remove…not a problem this is a solutions Comment by Court Services: Incomplete sentence

Someone reconvicted of the same crime could look forward to having a sentence of 25 years to life. With the current laws on the books, one could say this might help some; however, on the other hand, it could definitely hurt others. When someone is locked up for non-violent crimes, it becomes an issue for the inmate to be locked up with other offenders that might have more harsh crimes that have been committed. Comment by Robert Diemer: Has nothing to do with Over Incarceration of Non-Violent Offenders- REMOVE Comment by Robert Diemer: Who said and what is the problem…need to explain

When it comes to that of over-population and the release of non-violent offenders, this is and should be at the forefront of the warden. Overpopulation can have an effect on all offenders alike, no matter if they are there short-term or long-term. Several problems can occur, such as suicides, murders, or other crimes that not only lead to crime in prison but also contributes to the leading cause of overpopulation and also to the lack of supervision. This is something that non-violent offenders should have to experience. Comment by Robert Diemer: REMOVE Comment by Robert Diemer: Has nothing to do with Over Incarceration of Non-Violent Offenders- REMOVE

Moreover, the prison system does not have a system in place that separates the non-violent offends from the more long-term offenders. They are all put into pods or cells for 23 out of 24 hours a day and are treated the same regardless of said crime. Having said this, with some sort of renovation to have separate areas for non-violent vs. violent offenders, would alleviate this. Some facts about non-violent offenders are that nine out of 10 were men, and out of those, more than half were under the age of thirty-four. When speaking of their education level, four out of every ten non-violent releases did not have a high school education, with even one out of four having received a general education diploma. Comment by Robert Diemer: Who said? Comment by Robert Diemer: Who is they? Comment by Robert Diemer: remove Comment by Robert Diemer: Remove Comment by Robert Diemer: Remove..this is a solution Only facts about the problem is to be here Comment by Robert Diemer: Has nothing to do with factor- REMOVE

According to Exum (2011), non-violent offenders commit such crimes as; traffic violations, gambling, alcohol or drug charges, tax or fraud crimes, prostitution, or bribery. These individuals should be able to be put on house arrest if it is deemed fitting or proper, pay fines, or do some sort of volunteer work or community service. Non-violent crimes usually don't result in injury nor force. These crimes do not constitute such actions that keep them incarcerated with heinous and violent offenders. Comment by Robert Diemer: ???? Comment by Robert Diemer: Remove--opinion

When someone is placed under arrest for a petty crime and sent into the jailing system, the prisoner is at the mercy of the prison system. There is a need for a better intake system that will ultimately reduce the time in which a prisoner is booked, jailed, and released. When this is completed in tandem, the time in which an offender is booked and released will be greatly reduced. Then, the prisoner of a non-violent crime will not be stuck in the system while they await their court date or serve out their prison sentence after their court date. Comment by Robert Diemer: Remove… opinion and not facts

According to Conyers (2012), there is a rise in non-violent offenders due to the unjust and longer first-time non-habitual offenders, along with the Three-Strikes law in which is harsh for the said "First-Time" offenders than with anyone else. This is a leading cause of the overcrowded in the American Prison Systems today. Most would debate that there are only ten percent of the adult black population are users of illegal drugs in contrast to the nine percent of the white population. When compared to the sentences of white vs. black offenders, the black population was nine times more guaranteed to serve or serve longer prison sentences, then than that of their white counterparts. Comment by Robert Diemer: Need to re-write Comment by Robert Diemer: Remove.. this is about non-violent offenders and not on overcrowding Comment by Robert Diemer: Remove… this is about overcrowding and not race… stick to your factor. Comment by Court Services: Should be “than” not “then”

The over-incarceration of non-violent offenders is a war on drugs. When comparing Caucasians, Blacks, or Hispanics; Blacks were more likely to be incarcerated on drug charges than that for any other crime. Moreover, all crimes that are non-violent should be either booked, sentenced, and released or booked and sentenceding. Locking people up for non-violent crimes will only lead to overcrowding, murders, suicide, or even violence in the prison system. Lastly, if this is how the prison system is meant to work, then there needs to be a means by which everyone is and has equal standing on sentencing. There are offenders that are not violent, but they do have drug issues, according to VanderWaal, Taxman & Gurka-Ndanyi (2008). Iit might cost less to rehab someone for drug concerns and issues than it would be to keep them locked up. More importantly, it will not only reduce the overcrowding concerns and issues, it would also cut down on the time it takes for rehabilitation. This means evaluations of the current medicine of each inmate receives, making sure they actually need such medicine and then determining if it is the right med medication and if not to remove them off of it at such decided time. Comment by Robert Diemer: Who said? Comment by Court Services: Remove Comment by Robert Diemer: Remove..opinion Comment by Court Services: Change tense of word Comment by Robert Diemer: Remove…opinion Comment by Court Services: Run-on sentence. Comment by Robert Diemer: This is about rehab and saving money…not about the factor. REMOVE Comment by Court Services: Not needed Comment by Court Services: Add period Comment by Court Services: Add comma Comment by Court Services: Spell out complete word when writing a paper.

We have non-violent offenders coming in, along with others that sit in a cells 23 out of the 24 hours and have to maintain and live. There should be better opportunities out there for all people in prison, not just a select few. We need real-world trade and rehab services for all inmates to allow for learning trades and get the rehabilitation they need to upon release, so they can merge in with society with some gravitas and not be return violators. Besides the mentally challenged and people living with drunken or disorderly problems, rehabilitation centers play a major key role in prison inmates' well-being (Korcha & Polcin, 2012). Comment by Robert Diemer: Who said? Comment by Robert Diemer: REMOVE how many times are you going to say this? Comment by Robert Diemer: Remove this is a solution and your opinion. This is not about the Lack of Rehabilitation/ Trade Services REMOVE Comment by Robert Diemer: Remove.. this is what should be done…not what the problem is Comment by Court Services: Follow suggestions above for this same sentence you used earlier in the paper.

Many are the times that one might forget that the people living behind bars will one day be free to merge with the community, and the person is still being tormented by the ill-motived ideologies that he or she has been through in prison. Seventy-five percent of all inmates who are released from prison end up suffering from post-traumatic conditions, which stick with them mentally and end up conducting another crime that might lead them to be convicted once again. Comment by Court Services: This doesn’t sound correct. Comment by Robert Diemer: This is not about the Lack of Rehabilitation/ Trade Services REMOVE

At this point, rehabilitation facilities that are in minimal numbers can play a key role in bringing back the life of this inmate and end up merging with the community without any disturbances and avoiding crime and going back to prison, hence reducing overcrowding in prisons. The department of corrections and rehabilitation in the state should include various workable rehabilitation programs while in prison to avoid recidivism. There is a need for rehabilitation services in which are able to be that can educated offenders so that upon release, they can merge back into society and be an ex-offender while still being as a model citizen thereafter. Comment by Robert Diemer: What point? Comment by Court Services: Run-on sentence Comment by Robert Diemer: Who said? Comment by Robert Diemer: Remove…you have said nothing that this is not going on. Comment by Court Services: Remove Comment by Court Services: Add Comment by Court Services: Not needed.

There is an obligation to make rehabilitation services readily available for all offends offenders who want or seek such service from the prison system (Cullen, Jonson & Nagin, 2011). There is a moral obligation to rehabilitate offenders, educate, and teach. With the lack of education for some, many only have a GED (General Education Diploma). This is a reason why they think the "system" does not care anything about them. They are seen as delinquent or unwanted in public, that they need to be in the "system" to belong. This is not what the system was made for, nor was it meant to be a daycare for the adult offender. Comment by Robert Diemer: By law? Comment by Court Services: Change to offenders Comment by Robert Diemer: You need to make an argument about the lack of Rehabilitation/ Trade Services causes recidivism and discuss that this is not in jails, etc. Comment by Court Services: Reword sentence. “..to rehabilitate, educate, and teach offenders.” Comment by Court Services: Avoid making your paper opinion based. Who is they? And what sources support these statements.

Rehabilitation, trade, or education services are first based on cognitive distortions, which involve psychological methods that help understand and are specific to the offender’s crime. These services usually include general education, such as mastery skills and work training skills. The whole purpose of these services is a way to integrate the offenders back into society so they can continue on with their lives as free citizens. Comment by Robert Diemer: Remove

Anyone (age, gender, sexual orientation, or education level) can be incarcerated. With this known, rehabilitation services within the prison system can be cost-effective and really reliable. How is this so reliable? This is because one might be incarcerated who have experience in education or teaching. On the other side, there might be someone incarcerated that is well versed in carpentry. These are ways that cost-effectiveness is kept to a minimum; however, who and how many offenders can get into or be a part of these programs is the issue. When one is able to be rehabilitated and not punished for their crimes, the offender is more likely to get out and get on the right track, then continue down the wrong path. Comment by Court Services: Be mindful making statements like this because this is your opinion. This is not a fact and in fact is incorrect. Any age cannot be incarcerated. Comment by Robert Diemer: Remove Comment by Robert Diemer: Remove Comment by Court Services: You are stating rehabilitation services, which are things that help rehabilitate someone, however you are describing programs that can be used to generate money or be used so the prison doesn’t have to pay a contractor to pay for. Comment by Robert Diemer: Who said? Comment by Robert Diemer: Remove questions Comment by Court Services: Not needed Comment by Robert Diemer: This is all opinion…remove. I need to see facts

In the middle of the to late 1970s, offenders were highly encouraged to develop skills, trades, or education in areas that were in demand at the time, so that upon release, they will be able to exhibit such skills that will be able to be used accordingly (Jennett, 2020). Rehabilitation and trade services have since been placed on the back burner, as the system has been under strict budget cuts and budgeting guidelines that do not normally include rehabilitation and trade services. Comment by Robert Diemer: Remove…nothing before 2004 Comment by Court Services: Should be past tense so “would”

More than sixty-five percent of people in the prison systems now in America are incarcerated due to drug usage and drug offenses. When deciding between incarceration or rehabilitation service in the United States, a whopping $24,000 is the cost to lock up incarcerate someone while sending someone to rehabilitation is a mere $5,000. The answer would seemingly be clear, though these offenders are not so fortunate to make it to rehab before becoming incarcerated first. When incarcerated, offenders do not receive any treatment for their addictions, and in turn, they need to be seen by a doctor, nurse, or even be sent to a hospital facility if they start having addiction withdrawals, which in turn will cost the American taxpayer more money and come out of the prison systems budget. Comment by Robert Diemer: Remove you have already said this and This is not about the Lack of Rehabilitation/ Trade Services REMOVE Comment by Robert Diemer: Who said Comment by Robert Diemer: Remove this kind of language. This paper feel like an opinion piece for a newspaper and not a professionally written research paper. Comment by Court Services: Change wording to make more scholarly to incarcerate Comment by Robert Diemer: Remove Comment by Court Services: You frequently use the word rehab in your paper. I think you should put the complete spelling.

This alone can lead to a mental health issue for someone going through drug withdrawals in prison. Without the proper treatment of such person, the offender stays in their cell to experience excruciating pain, and if such drugs are available in the prison as commonly are, will allow the prisoner to relapse and will start the addiction cycle over again, and the now rehabilitation service is null-in-void. The ultimate goal for said services in prisons is for offenders to be able to win their sobriety, get out of the prison system and finally become employed and a long-term model citizen of America. Comment by Court Services: What references are you using to support these facts? Comment by Court Services: Run-on sentence

When everything gets down to bits and pieces, its left to budgeting and the willingness and ability to better help offenders become model citizens upon release back into the communities from which they came. Overcrowding is the root cause and is the main reason for the prison system not being largely dependent upon that of the rehabilitation and trade services. They are not seen as essential, so in turn, they are left solely on the back burner of the plans of the criminal justice system.

As with most facilities, there are budgets in prisons. These budgets include many areas in which there is money allocated out into certain areas. Budget needs cannot be met if the allocation of funds is not being disbursed correctly. A statement and balance checklist need to be in use so that what is coming and going can be accounted for. The issue of rating capacity in prisons is what tells how much a correctional facility is supposed to get. The number of inmates in a facility to the number at which prison can hold per prison warden has soared in the past few years due to the increased incarceration rates making the funds minimal to even bring up more correctional facilities. Comment by Robert Diemer: Without a factor I am unable to critique this area as I do not know what you are looking at.

Due to recent economic conditions in prisons, such as overcrowding, for one, has cost the rate of parolees to heighten in the United States. One example is in the state of Michigan, where their need for support service was developed. This would allow parolees with particularly mental and/ or physical disabilities to complete their service through special housing. Moreover, Michigan's pledge would develop 20 units to provide services and support for these prisoners re-entering into the community (Spellman, 2009). Therefore, preventing the overcrowding from occurring and, as a result, eliminate the conditions, in many cases, nationwide through the benefit of the federal government. Comment by Court Services: Not needed Comment by Court Services: Not needed

One of the other reasons why the budgeting aspect is so important is that these prisons have to budget for workers (Guards, Cafeteria workers, Janitorial, Medical Staff, and Office Workers). These must be figured in at the start of the fiscal year, and many things can change, both in the prisons and for the staff. One has to have a plan in place for hiring and firing, the cost of lockdowns, and the many other aspects in which could arise in prison throughout the year. This is hard to do in an uncertain economy where literally anything could happen and anytime and at any moment.

When it comes to the yearly cost of public facilities (Prisons, Jails, Parole, and Probation), it cost a whopping $80.7 billion of taxpayer’s money. The amount to pay public employees of these said prisons was an overwhelming $38.4 billion, whereas when it came to that of the health care, it was a massive $12.3 billion. While keeping this in mind, to feed inmates cost $2.1 billion while bringing commissary and telephone calls for the inmates comes in at a staggering $2.9 (Fritz, Walters, & Krajewski & 2010). Comment by Court Services: Not needed.

When one takes an extensive look at the overall breakdown of the budget scale, one can start to understand that the majority of the budget goes directly to pay for the workers in prison. So having such restrictions on budgeting or a lack thereof, one would want to spend more on rehabilitation services and trade services so that once inmates are released, they will be able to get out and be model citizens. However, this is not a top-priority for prisons; the prisons that need to remain open and working so that when people are in fact sent there and, their doors will always be open. Comment by Court Services: This is kind of repetitive. You already stated this earlier in the paper and it is adding no value to being placed here.

As previously stated, the prison system is overwhelmingly overcrowded; the numbers are delayed, and by the time the numbers are finally released, the statistics are either higher or lower, and it no longer reliable. Regardless of the prisons are allowing low-level, non-violent criminals out of prisons, the violent offenders are still incarcerated and still continue to commit such crimes. With the limited maximum-security prisons and funding, they are forced to remain in lower-level prisons.

Overall budgeting aspect, prisons are not free; they are high-priced to build and highly expensive to maintain. There are significate issues such as budget cuts, and budget increases even when asked might never be given, and there are funding gaps. Additionally, the safety of the inmates, staff, and guards are of most importance. Inmates fight, and with gang affiliations, there is a need for budgeting within. There is an overwhelming shortage in the advancement of technological services, such as the ones that can detect inmates using cell phones in-house. This also goes back to having guards during in-take to be able to find inmates that have the need or desire to smuggle contraband in.

With the hiring and firing of staff, there is a need for staff retention and being able to accommodate workings, staff, and guards to have them pleased with their job to make them want to stay. Some of the lowest-paid workers are that of the correctional employees in the prison system. This is a major aspect of the prison system; however, when it comes to the budget, one has to have a completely open-mind and complete understanding of the budget and where the funds are going, where they will be allocated to, and where the most need is. Comment by Court Services: Rephrase so it is not a run-on

Overall, when it comes to budgeting, regardless of one's position in the criminal justice system, one must know that with a limited budget, things are not going to always go as planned and when those plans fail or fall through, the allocation of funds are moved around to accommodate. This within itself is something that most prison systems do not want to think about, for the simple fact that the reallocation of funds on an already tight budget is something that most would not want to handle or encounter. According to Bagaric, Hunter & Wolf (2018) there could be alternatives out there for mass incarceration, however with the already tightening of the budget this might not be the best possible choice. It would however, cut down on the overcrowding issues, however, would cost the prison system more money to dish out to bring such alternative means into play.

Lastly, when discussing that of budgeting, if everything is not planned out to the t, there might be unwanted changes, concerns, or requirements that might be unforeseen and make the well-being and the confidence of the workers less than perfect while making the employees at a compromised position while allowing the power to be shifted from the employees to that of the prisoners. Comment by Court Services: Run-on sentence. Comment by Court Services: Remove Comment by Court Services: Use a word that would clearly define what you are talking about. I understand what you mean but other readers may not.

Reference Comment by Robert Diemer: Annotations must be 4+ complete sentences about the text or article Comment by Court Services: I am unclear of what is acceptable for the synopsis of what the journal and books are about at the end of the annotation. I am still working on figure that out for my own paper so I am not comfortable critiquing this portion.

Bagaric, M., Hunter, D., & Wolf, G. (2018). Technological Incarceration and the End of the Prison Crisis. Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology, 108(1), 73–135.

Bagaric, Hunter & Wolf (2018) discuss alternatives to incarceration that would not only benefit the prison system, but it would also benefit the offender. It also delves into the alternatives from a technological standpoint. It allows the reader to immerse themselves into the alternative for being incarcerated.

Bertoia, L. (2020). Prisoners jailed for minor offences begin to be released amid pandemic. Buenos Aires Times.

Bertoia (2020) in whole discusses that with the current pandemic we should be wanting to release non-violent offenders. The author discusses about different means and ways that we can go about doing such while still maintaining law and order. With this article its clear to see that the overcrowding is something more of a large puzzle that just cannot be thrown to pieces.

Cadigan, T. P. (2004). Instituting a “Reentry” Focus in the Federal Probation System. Federal Probation, 68(2), 36–39.

Cadigan (2004) takes a look at the reentry of a prison system in a way to which is after becoming a free citizen. The article takes a deeper look into the justice system both as in the criminal justice and the reintegration of a prisoner back into the population from which they came. This article is simply about if we keep doing what we have always done with prison policy, there will never be change. There is research that is based on science in which proves that with such, they will not have to come back to prison.

Conyers, John Jr. (2012). The Incarceration Explosion. Yale Law & Policy Review. https://digitalcommons.law.yale.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1648&context=ylpr

Conyers (2012) gives an overview over the amount of people both historically and currently incarcerated. It’s a review over data both in regard to lock ups and the amount of cost it takes to maintain and keep up the prison.

Couzens, J. R. (2017). The Amendment of the Three Strikes Sentencing Law. Court of Appeal, 2nd Appellate District, Div. 8. https://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/Three-Strikes-Amendment-Couzens-Bigelow.pdf

This document discusses the creation and process of the Three Strikes Law in which came to be known in California. It goes into detail about the processes and what the law will and will not allow.

Cullen, F., Jonson, C., & Nagin, D. (2011) Prisons do not reduce recidivism: The high cost of ignoring science. The Prison Journal 91(3 Suppl): 48S–65S.

Cullen, Jonson & Nagin (2011) discuss several topics about prisons, prison reform and the high cost of not following science. There are many physiology and psychological issues in and with the prison system largely. They research to find out the cost of ignoring science and its ability to reduce or inflate recidivism.

Exum, J. J. (2011). Sentencing, Drugs, and Prisons: A Lesson from Ohio. University of Toledo Law Review, 42(4), 881–889.

Exum (2011) takes a review from Ohio about the sentencing procedures, the drug issues and that of the prisons system collectively. The means of which all go hand-in-hand however, understanding that though prison systems are all different, when it comes to that of budgeting, they all pull from the same pot and in turn puts a lot of strain on the system to stay open.

Fagan, H. (2004). Curb the Vengeance: Laws on minimum sentencing and parole spell worsening prison conditions. SA Crime Quarterly, 10, 1–5.

Fagan (2004) this is a brief discussion about the laws currently in place and the minimum sentencing guidelines thereof. The article looks at the woes and the good of the current laws and the issues with early release, or the release of offenders that should not be released, due to one reason or another.

Fandos, N., & Cochrane, E. (2018). Senate Approves Prison Overhaul. New York Times, 168(58181), A1–A18.

Fandos & Cochrane (2018) reports on the decision of the U.S. Senate to pass the First Step Act that will reform the country's tough-on-crime prison and sentencing laws.

Fritz, J., Walters, B., & Krajewski, E. R. (2010). Prisoner Re-entry: An Assets-based, Capacity Building Community Practice Pilot Program. International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, 5(2), 579–588. https://doi.org/10.18848/1833-1882/CGP/v05i02/51595

Fritz, Walters & Krajewski (2018) examine a county wide “pilot” program that is geared towards newly released offenders living with mental health and disabilities. While other topics that are reviewed is that of motor and mental skills, skills needed for employment upon release, how to retain and maintain employment and how to find housing and be able to make life-long decisions making skills.

Jennett, V. (2020). Emergency release of people from prison because of Covid-19. A brief analysis through an anti-corruption lens. CHR Michelsen Institute. https://www.u4.no/publications/emergency-release-of-people-from-prison-because-of-covid-19.pdf

Jennett (2020) discusses different points of view that can be seen as a corruption in the prison systems during that of a pandemic. It’s an article in which discusses about several way in which a prisoner could be released and on what grounds. The discussion continues and is followed up about on what grounds should said prisoners should be released on to make it fair but not unconstitutional and illegal.

Jones, M. T. (2009). Prison Overcrowding: The Sentencing Judge as Social Worker. Widener Law Journal, 18(2), 491–498.

Jones (2009) examines how the judge is not just, “a judge” but how he or she has to be someone that evaluates someone in the courtroom over their mental, emotional and physiological standpoint and what would be best for the individual. Not just sentencing because they “may” need to be locked away.

Kaeble, D. (2018). Time served in state prison, 2016. Bureau of Justice Statistics. https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/tssp16.pdf

Kaeble (2018) gives a great abundance of information both facts and statistics. It gives an excellent overview of the crimes, the rates and the overall criminalistic data.

Korcha, R. A., & Polcin, D. L. (2012). Addressing the deluge of early release prisoners into US communities. Addiction, 107(1), 4–5. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2011.03705.x

Papa, J., & Kashman, C. (2018). An Introduction to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Indiana Law Review, 51(2), 357–376. https://doi-org.saintleo.idm.oclc.org/10.18060/4806.1191

Papa & Kashman (2018) discuss the original meaning and the original stance on the sentencing guidelines. They discuss that of doing away with the Good Time Served, as a way to get out of serving all of their time in jail or prison.

Serota, M. (2020). Second looks & Criminal Legislation. Ohio State Journal of Criminal Law. https://moritzlaw.osu.edu/osjcl/2020/06/11/second-looks-criminal-legislation/

Serota (2020) discusses the need for the “Second Look” when sentencing someone to a long prison sentence. It shows the importance of understanding the crime, the sentencing and the punishment thereof. It goes into the legislation of crime and punishment and an understanding about the long term effects of both.

Spelman, W. (2009). Crime, cash, and limited options: Explaining the prison boom. Criminology & Public Policy, 8(1), 29–77. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-9133.2009.00546.x

Spelman (2009) takes a deep look at the incarceration levels between 1977 all the way to 2005. The author discusses some facts that might be playing into why many people are becoming locked up. He also makes great mentions about budgeting, spending and accounting as a whole when viewed as an operation.

Ussc.gov (2019). Determining the sentence. United Sates Sentencing Commission. https://www.ussc.gov/guidelines/2018-guidelines-manual/annotated-2018-chapter-5.

Ussc.gov (2019) does a fantastic job with outlining the sentencing guidelines as a means of a guide, something to help one guide in the sentencing process. Sometimes a sentence might not match what the guides discuss, simply because of the occurrence of the crime at hand.

VanderWaal, C., Taxman, F., & Gurka-Ndanyi, M. (2008). Reforming Drug Treatment Services to Offenders: Cross-System Collaboration, Integrated Policies, and a Seamless Continuum of Care Model. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 8(1), 127–153. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332560802112086

VanderWaal, Taxman & Gurka-Ndanyi (2008) review how the war-on-drugs along with the unruly race sentencing is an issue in the criminal justice system. This article discusses the need to reform not only how inmates receive their medications, but it also discusses about how reform needs to happen in relation to drug testing to get inmates off the drugs that they really do not need.