An examination of the current prison system and the changes that need to be made. Shows that non-violent criminals deserve better treatment than violent offenders.
What punishment does a non-violent criminal deserve? This paper shows how an examination of the U.S’s current system’s problems is necessary in order to understand how a solution will work. The paper asks if an eclectic approach could improve the current system and society as a whole. The paper tries to prove that a Commission should be set up to dictate the regulations of a new system that would allow non-violent criminals to be rehabilitated while receiving a punishment fit for the crime that was committed.
Table of Contents
Non-Violent Crime: An Overview
Internally-Based Prison Problems
Overcrowding
Recidivism
Making Non-violent Criminals Violent
Fights and Rapes
Stabbings and Beatings
In Prison Solutions
Drug Treatment
Boot Camp
Prison Commissaries
Out-of-Prison Punishments for Non-Violent Criminals
Intense and Inclusive Probation
Drug Treatment
Residential Restitution and/or community service
Day Reporting
Electronic Monitoring
Community-Based Employment Opportunities
Trouble shooting
Noncompliance
Increase in probationary case loads
Conclusion
Table of Contents
Non-Violent Crime: An Overview
Internally-Based Prison Problems
Overcrowding
Recidivism
Making Non-violent Criminals Violent
Fights and Rapes
Stabbings and Beatings
In Prison Solutions
Drug Treatment
Boot Camp
Prison Commissaries
Out-of-Prison Punishments for Non-Violent Criminals
Intense and Inclusive Probation
Drug Treatment
Residential Restitution and/or community service
Day Reporting
Electronic Monitoring
Community-Based Employment Opportunities
Trouble shooting
Noncompliance
Increase in probationary case loads
Conclusion
“A nonviolent crime is a crime committed in which no person is physically injured. Of the nonviolent crimes committed in America, only one in three are reported to police. The police arrest an estimated 20% of those crimes reported which means there are approximately seven arrests for every one hundred crimes. Of these arrests, the prosecution throws out nearly 50% and the rest are usually sentenced. The sentencing usually consists of nearly 50% going to jail or prison. In other words, in total, two people are incarcerated for every one hundred crimes committed (Colson & Van Ness, 1991, p. 70).”