Causes for the Unusually High Incarceration Rate in the United States
The problem of the rise of mass incarceration in the United States has been disturbing scholars for decades. According to Garland D. (2018), sociologists concluded that growth in US rates of imprisonment is a complex of multiple processes. Garland argues that the main reason for such a growth is legislative and enforcement differences, with a slight influence of social factors (2018).
Discussing Prisons as an Effective Way of Handling Crime
The alternatives to imprisonment such as probation, fines and so on are not so effective in restricting criminals from society and preventing them from committing crimes. Modern prisoners, compared to early Americans, can read books, watch movies, and play games. Additionally, as professor Manion says, the opportunity to take college-level classes for prisoners could be a good substitute for religious conversion promoted by early Americans (2016). It is a big achievement of our society that offenders could improve their level of education and find a good job after they leave the place.
Reforms to the current prison system for handling crime more effectively
I suppose that in attempts to reform the current prison system, we could rely on our history. According to Manion (2016), in 1786, there was an attempt to assist criminals’ moral transformation through hard labor in Pennsylvania. I think that nowadays, hard labor might not be an option, but criminals should contribute to society by doing something useful. In addition, they could be introduced to art therapy, theater, and literature.
Summary
Jen Manion, an Assistant Professor of History at Connecticut College, outlined the crime and punishment in early America: from harsh British system to reforms by Philadelphia Society, the introduction of the system of hard labor in Pennsylvania, and the manufacturing prison system in New York and the establishment of Eastern State in 1829. Manion also noticed that there were some inequalities. The women reformers appeared only in the late 1820s; African Americans and Irish immigrants were disproportionately represented among inmates (2016).
The problems discussed in the podcast relate mainly to the history of the development of the penitentiary system in the United States; however, history is a teacher of future generations. Social inequality is still meaningful, and the issue of the prisons’ effectiveness is relevant these days. History tells us to learn from mistakes and be inspired by past achievements.
References
Garland, D. (2018). Theoretical advances and problems in the sociology of punishment. Punishment & Society, 20(1), 8-33.
Manion, J. (Host). (2016). Liberty’s prisoners: prisons & prison life in early America (No. 80) [Audio podcast episode]. In Ben Franklin’s World. Web.