Ineffective Prison Rehabilitation

According to The United States Census Bureau, the United States population accounts for less than 5 percent of the world population. The United States, however, houses more than 20% of the world inmate population. From 1978 to 2014, there has been a sharp increase of inmate population to the tune of over 400% - an alarming number that is not likely to decrease anytime soon. The United States governments have placed tougher sanctions and punishments on criminals since the late 1970s as the number has suggested, but is it effective? Instead of a place for rehabilitation, prison is a breeding ground for criminal enterprises. Ineffective inmate treatment and education such as sex offender treatment and drug abuse rehabilitation programs further
Some of these misfits, however, get to come back out and play – now equipped with better knowledge and skills courtesy of the best criminal enterprise called prison. Not only this toxic environment enhances, it also strongly encourages them to commit more crimes. Many sex offenders recycle through the system multiple times over the same crime that they have committed before. Many of these predators have once been the victims – a disgusting but truthful statement. Prison also provides a make-shift college of pharmacy. It is a diploma mill that can turn a delinquent into a kingpin, a street thug into a distributor. Prison is not a place to repent but to reinvent and consummate
The psychological impact from incarceration is enormous as inmates have to obey to two different sets of rule – one from the staff and another from other offenders. Staff rules are there to give inmates structure and responsibility which can assist them for the reentry process into the society. Block rules (inmate initiated rules) oftentimes contradicts the aforementioned rules. Gambling, debt, and favor happen on a daily basis in the prison system and there are a few ways that inmates know to compensate what they have incurred. Sexual misconduct in prisons happen daily – anytime and anywhere but more so in a sex offender treatment unit. The misconduct often occurs as a result of returning the favor, paying debt, or simply – the old habit die hard. Some of these misconducts also encompass unprofessional relationship between inmates and staff such as caseworkers, counselors, and even officers. Generally, most inmates are opportunistic; it only takes them a few minutes to assess the situation that can benefit them especially when it involves a person who is emotionally