The Prison System

THE PRISON SYSTEM Kettyl Amoakon & Krystal Cochran

ARE YOU A TAX PAYER? If so, do you know where part of your taxes are going?THE STATE PRISON SYSTEM

GENERAL INFORMATION░ It costs $33,000 + plus a year per inmate in the state prison system to take care of him/her. (Food, clothing, housing etc.)░ It costs the state $ 500 million per year just for mental health medications for inmates across the state.░ When an inmates’ relative dies anywhere in the state they have the right to go to the funeral and the state has to provide transportation, food for the inmate, officers to escort him/her, and hotel expenses for the officers to stay over until the services the next day. Total cost: $1,100 just for one funeral trip.

BENEFITS FOR INMATES

MEDICAL CARE░ All inmates receive medical, dental and mental health care during their incarcerations. Those who have chronic or acute medical conditions or diseases may be transferred to another prison that has the appropriate medical equipment. If this cannot be done because of security reasons, ambulatory care and the equipment necessary will be transported to the prison where the inmate is housed. Along with that, substance abuse treatment is also provided.░ Aside from treatment, inmates also receive health education to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and take care of existing conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease. Prisons emphasize that inmates have healthy diets and special needs might be met for inmates with health issues that require diet modifications.

EDUCATION░ In most prisons, prisoners have access to an education through a General Education Development (GED) diploma, English as a Second Language (ESL) and literacy tests. Some prisons even offer training programs for inmates. Some of the training options include preparation of electrical work, plumbing, horticulture, culinary arts, dog handling, or dental assistance.░ Libraries are also commonly found in prisons. They carry a variety of magazines, books, and newspapers. A legal reference section is available so inmates can research and work on their own defense and legal documents (if necessary). Some prisons offer parenting services and classes, along with access to college-level classes.

RELEASE PREPARATION░ According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons website, preparing inmates for their release and reintegration into society is key to helping them succeed outside prison. Programs may vary according to their location and budget. These programs can include resume preparation, job training, education certificates, release clothing, and contact with community-based organizations that help released inmates reintegrate into society.

ALONG WITH THAT…░ Inmates get three square meals a day.░ Inmates get special meals on holidays.░ Prison yards have flat screen TVs.░ Inmates get trailer visits.░ And much more…

IS THIS HOW IT SHOULD BE?

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR TAX PAYERS?

HERE ARE THE FACTS░ In California tax payers pay approx. $90,000 more per death row prisoner a year than on prisoners in a regular confinement.░ There are almost 2 million prisoners in the U.S. today.░ The U.S. spent $44 billion in tax dollars to pay for prisons. This amount has tripled since 1987.

OUR SCHOOLS VS. PRISON░ 75% of imprisonment spending comes from the state level where money is taken from the same pot that grade school, colleges, and universities rely on.░ 73% of grade schools budgets come from this pot of money and 50% of colleges budget also comes from the same pot of money. With the focus being so much on prison it leaves very little for learning institutions.

RE-ENTRY & OTHER FACTS

WOW!!!░ Approximately 2 out of every 3 people released from prison in the U.S. are rearrested within 3 years of their release.░ The number of people released from prison has increased 350% over the last 20 years.

CRIME & LIFE░ The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that only 46 percent of incarcerated individuals have a high school diploma compared to 82 percent of men aged 18 to 34.░ About one in six jail inmates reports that he/she dropped out of school because he/she was convicted of a crime, was sent to a correctional facility, or was involved in an illegal activities.░ About two-thirds of people in prison and jail were employed—either full or part-time during the month before they were arrested for their current offense.░ Nearly half of those leaving jail were earning less than $600 per month immediately prior to their incarceration.░ Recent studies have found that participation in prison education, job training, and placement programs is associated with improved outcomes, including reduced recidivism.

OVERCROWDING

THE FACTS░ In 2011 the California overcrowding issue was so bad that it violated the inmates 8th amendment ban on cruel and unusual punishment░ The supreme court ordered the state to reduce its prison population by 30,000 inmates.░ Overcrowding causes many issues such as: stress on staff, dangerous health conditions, violation of rights, and more aggressive behavior from inmates. Not to mention the rape rate and murder rate within the prisons can increase as well.

BIBLIOGRAPHYhttp://www.livestrong.com/article/133244-benefits-inmates/#ixzz1svWGeIhOhttp://auburnpub.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_189ddbf6-0f18-11e0-bfe7-001cc4c03286.htmlhttp://steveapplegate.com/northcarolinatasc/reentryreport/stats-reentry-combined.pdf.pdfNytimes.comdeathpenalty.orgmrwilliams.hubpages.comprospect.org

THANK YOU

The Prison System

by mrkaeagles on Apr 26, 2012

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