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Evaluate Challenges and Trends in Corrections
Michelle Humphries
Helms School of Government, Liberty University
CJUS500: Course Evaluation
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Evaluate Challenges and Trends in Corrections
The American corrections system faces key challenges in 2025, with the mental health
crisis being the most critical issue requiring immediate attention. Through my 25 years of law
enforcement experience, including direct interaction with correctional facilities during booking
procedures and prisoner transport, I have witnessed firsthand the growing number of inmates
with serious mental health needs, many of whom do not receive adequate treatment. Research
indicates that mental disorders in incarcerated individuals are frequently underdiagnosed and
undertreated, and access to mental healthcare is limited by systemic factors such as
underfunding, insufficient screening procedures, and staff lacking specialized mental health
training (Solbakken et al., 2024). My experience as an academy instructor reinforced the
importance of understanding corrections as an integral component of the criminal justice
continuum, wherein police officers must comprehend the downstream effects of arrests and
case processing, particularly when individuals with mental health conditions enter the system.
Addressing mental health in corrections is essential for safety, rehabilitation, and justice.
Staffing crisis is another immediate threat to corrections' effectiveness. For instance,
North Carolina reports that 40 percent of correctional officer positions are vacant, with some
facilities experiencing vacancy rates as high as 69 percent, forcing the closure of more than
5,300 prison beds across 25 facilities (Crumpler, 2024). To maintain operations, the remaining
staff logged over 1.6 million overtime hours in 2023, while nearly 400 private security
contractors were hired to provide perimeter security (Crumpler, 2024). During my police career,
I observed how understaffed facilities compromised officer safety during prisoner transfers and
delayed processing times, creating cascading effects throughout the justice system. My role as a
criminal justice educator provided insight into recruitment challenges, as potential officers
increasingly seek alternative career paths due to corrections' demanding work environment and
compensation disparities. Addressing this issue requires strategic recruitment and retention
efforts to stabilize the corrections workforce.
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Technological innovation is a promising trend poised to transform correctional
operations. Tools such as body-worn cameras and digital mail systems are being adopted to
enhance accountability and reduce contraband, aligning with broader policy shifts toward
transparency and security (Lexipol, 2024). Moreover, telehealth platforms are expanding access
to specialized care, from mental health and addiction treatment to psychiatric consultations,
benefiting both incarcerated individuals and institutional safety (Secure Medical, 2025). As an
academy instructor training future law enforcement and corrections professionals, I emphasize
the importance of evidence-based, constitutional practices. I have observed the early impact of
these technologies in improving operational efficiency, officer safety, and inmate care.
Leveraging these innovations strategically can elevate corrections from reactive management to
proactive, humane rehabilitation.
References
Crumpler, R. (2024). Shortage of correctional officers leaves prison staff stretched thin. North
Carolina Health News. https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2024/01/29/shortage-
ofcorrectional-officers-leaves-prison-staff-stretched-thin/
Lexipol. (2024). 5 Corrections policy trends for 2025 - Lexipol. Lexipol.
https://www.lexipol.com/resources/blog/5-corrections-policy-trends-for-2025
Secure Medical. (2025). The prison telehealth revolution: Delivering specialized care to
incarcerated populations | Secure Medical. Secure Medical.
https://securemedical.com/telemedicine/the-prison-telehealth-revolution-
deliveringspecialized-care-to-incarcerated-populations
Solbakken, L. E., Bergvik, S., & Wynn, R. (2024). Breaking down barriers to mental healthcare
access in prison: A qualitative interview study with incarcerated males in Norway. BMC
Psychiatry, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-05736Powered b y TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
