NCJ Number
57445
Journal
PRISON LAW MONITOR Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Dated: (AUGUST 1978) Pages: 65-67
Date Published
1978
Length
3 pages
Annotation
THE UNITED STATES HAS THE HIGHEST INCARCERATION RATES IN THE INDUSTRIAL WORLD, THE LONGEST SENTENCES, AND THE HIGHEST CRIME RATES. THIS IS PROOF THAT PRISONS ARE NOT ONLY EXPENSIVE, THEY ARE INEFFECTIVE.
Abstract
THIS PLEA FOR REDUCED USE OF INCARCERATION PRESENTS THE RATIONALE BEHIND A RESOLUTION PASSED IN 1974 BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST ASSOCIATION. STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT PRISONS REFLECT THE RACIAL BIAS OF AMERICAN SOCIETY AND THAT THOSE MOST LIKELY TO BE INCARCERATED ARE THE POOR AND MINORITIES. THERE IS ALSO STRONG EVIDENCE THAT UNEMPLOYMENT IS RELATED TO THE LEVEL OF PROPERTY CRIME, AND THAT THE BEST WAY TO REDUCE THEFTS, BURGLARIES, AND ROBBERIES IS TO PROVIDE JOBS. FURTHER, MORE THAN 200,000 OF THE 500,000 IN PRISONS, JAILS, AND DETENTION CENTERS ARE AWAITING TRIAL; THEY HAVE NOT EVEN BEEN FOUND GUILTY AND MAY BE INNOCENT. THE COST OF THESE POLICIES IS MUSHROOMING. BETWEEN 1959 AND 1969 THE BUDGET OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISON GREW BY 61 PERCENT AND SIMILAR SUMS HAVE BEEN EXPENDED BY THE STATES. MISUSE OF PRISON FACILITIES IS AN EXPENSE THE COUNTRY CAN ILL AFFORD. A STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE FOUND THAT ONLY 11 PERCENT OF THOSE SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISONS HAD COMMITTED VIOLENT CRIMES. THE OTHER 89 PERCENT SHOULD BE DEINSTITUTIONALIZED BY ELIMINATING BAIL REQUIREMENTS, DECRIMINALIZING STATUS OFFENSES AND VICTIMLESS CRIMES, SENTENCING OFFENDERS TO HALFWAY HOUSES OR WORK PROGRAMS, USING DAY-FINES, AND USING RESTITUTION PROGRAMS. (GLR)