CJ 210 Module Five Assignment Template
Systemic Issues in Prisons
Complete this template by replacing the bracketed text with the relevant information. Be sure to cite all
references in APA style.
Systemic Issues
Systemic Issue How are these systemic issues handled
in the prison you have chosen? (75–
100 words each)
What changes could be made to
lessen the effects of these issues?
(100–150 words)
Little access to
MH treatment
In Illinois state prison in 2016 the state
agreed to revamp the mental health
program for inmates. They hired more
mental health professionals and began
training employees and correction officers
on how to engage with mentally ill
inmates. Most inmates now spend eight
hours a week outside their cell and seeing
a therapist once a month. The prisons
refocused on mental health stigma in
order to help bring down violence within
the prison.
Increase time outside of cells to be
social and have human interaction.
Also, spending time outside in sunlight
in the courtyard would help inmates.
Prisons can use it to promote good
behavior. Forming crisis intervention
teams and suicide prevention can help
inmates when in a crisis. Timely access
to mental health care. Developing
reentry plans into society with
continued mental health support to
prevent them form making the same
mistakes and returning to prison.
Providing mental health education
programs for inmates while they are
incarcerated. Tailoring treatment plans
on a case by case basis to encompass
medicine and therapy.
No assistance with
drug rehabilitation
Many prisons have drug prevention
classes that include counseling,
dependency classes, and awareness
programs to help addicts fight their
addiction to illegal substances. Many
states have begun decriminalizing small
drug offenses like paraphernalia and
marijuana. Prisons have also began
screening all substance abuse for mental
health disorders to get them the
appropriate help upon incarceration. The
goal of prison time for offenders is to
decrease substance abuse and reduce the
associated petty crimes that also come
along with drug use. Disrupting the
behavior of drug use is the goal prisons
focus on by keeping offenders away from
dug use.
Remove the offender upon release from
the community he was in prior as this
will help him with staying sober.
Retract the stigma associated behind
drug users as being labeled a ex-
offender. Assist them obtaining
housing, re-unifying a family. And the
multiple requirements upon on release
with the criminal justice system. Stress
a lot of times causes offenders to
relapse and taking basic needs stress of
them encourages them to continue on
the right path and become productive
members of society. Lastly, conduct
more searches inside prisons to ensure
drugs are removed while they are
serving their time to help keep them off
drugs upon release.
Drugs still inside
prisons
In Missouri state prison they combat
drugs being inside the prisons by
establishing a emergency response team
who conducts routine searches in common
areas and cells to deter illegal contraband.
The prison conducts routine uranalysis
testing to establish if there are still drugs
in people systems after being inside the
prison for extended period of time. They
conduct changes in entry searches so they
are not conducting the same searches and
repeat offenders can beat the system.
Conduct routine searches of the entire
prison system to include showers and
bathrooms but utilizing a K9 would
assist in avoiding human mistakes and
also deter violent behavior as most
people are afraid of K9’s. They can also
conduct routine searches of working
offenders who have more freedom
around the grounds of the prison as
majority of contraband seems to come
from them. Begin using electronic
devices like tablets for inmates to
receive and send mail which can
eliminate the possibility of inmates
receiving contraband in paper mail.
Increase camera coverage with a
corrections officer on duty at all times
to have more eyes on of drug
exchanges.
Personal Approach
The goal of punishment is to deter criminal activity as a whole. Prison punishment is meant to retribute
inmates into changing their behavior so that when they are released, they don’t turn back to old habits and
behavior. In cases of murder and life sentences the purpose of the punishment is to incapacitate the
offender to ensure they are not able to recommit the crime or cause any more harm to society like killing
innocent citizens. When it comes to monetary fines as punishment the goal is to cause hardship financially
to encourage the offender to change their ways. Community service as punishment causes humiliation and
takes up the offender’s free time and that’s the goal to deter from future crime.
References
Connor, S. (2023, January 31). 20 systemic issues within the prison system #WSPTURNS20 - Women’s Storybook Project. Women’s Storybook
Project - A non-profit, bringing children closer to their incarcerated mothers. https://storybookproject.org/20-systemic-issues-within-the-prison-
system-wspturns20/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=20-systemic-issues-within-the-prison-system-wspturns20
Herman, C. (2019b, February 3). Most inmates with mental illness still wait for decent care. NPR.
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/02/03/690872394/most-inmates-with-mental-illness-still-wait-for-decent-care
Herman, C. (2019a, February 3). Most inmates with mental illness still wait for decent care. NPR.
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/02/03/690872394/most-inmates-with-mental-illness-still-wait-for-decent-care
