The Incarceration Of Drug Offenders - 894 Words

A. Rise in Incarceration of Drug Offenders Another major subset in the overall prison population in the U.S. is the growing rise in incarceration rates of drug offenders. Professor Blumstein notes that when considering the growth of incarceration rates by specific type of crime, such as murder, robbery, assault, burglary, drugs, and sex offenses during the two decades from 1980 to 2001, the single most important result was that the prison rate for drug offenders increased by a factor of 10; moreover, these drug offenders currently account for the largest percentage of both state and federal prison populations (Blumstein, 2011). I. Why Has the U.S. Prison Population Skyrocketed? Now that the dramatic rise in the U.S. prison population is clearly established, the next question is to address the reasons for this extreme increase. Three of the most common explanations for this occurrence is the passage of new federal sentencing guidelines, the enactment of numerous state â€Å"three strikes† laws, and the increased ability to pay for incarceration. A. Federal Sentencing Guidelines Many directly attribute the recent increase in prison population to the enactment of federal sentencing guidelines. For example, Melissa Hamilton, who is a visiting criminal law scholar at the University of Houston Law Center having obtained both a law degree and Ph.D. in criminology and criminal justice from the University of Texas, specifically identifies the increase in the federalShow MoreRelatedThe Incarceration Method Of Dealing With Drug Offenders Essay2094 Words   |  9 PagesAnother downside to the incarceration method of dealing with drug offenders is the fact that a social inequality is formed once they are released from prison. Former inmates are treated less than normal non convict citizens making it hard for them to find decent housing, sufficient paying jobs, and people in which to form meaningful relations with. A lack of these things can bring them back to a performing criminal acts, going farther than just substance abuse in order to make a living that theyRead MoreDrug Addiction Treatment Vs. Incarceration966 Words   |  4 PagesDrug Addiction Treatment vs. Incarceration: Gaining Insight Regarding the Facts Drug addiction is most often defined as a chronic progressive relapsing cycle in which an individual experiences excessive compulsions in using a mood altering substance despite the consequences associated with the drug. Drug addiction is also considered a disease that affects the brain; which results in a chemical imbalance caused by the abuse of illegal substances. The effects of drug usage can cause long term brainRead MoreHow Crime Affects The Community1536 Words   |  7 Pagesespecially divided neighborhoods previously built by family’s in their post WWII economic boom. These neighborhoods are now territories in both urban and rural areas. By which, gang activity advocates deviant behavior ranging from prostitution and drug dealing, too human trafficking and execution style assaults on conflicting or rival gangs. Population reduction is a huge issue in the more urban areas with high crime rates. Modes of transportation and the time of day to travel all become variable sRead MoreThe Incarceration Rate Of The United States1543 Words   |  7 PagesAlternatives to Mass Incarceration Once upon a time, Americans could proudly say that America was the land of freedom and opportunity. As the Pledge of Allegiance states, â€Å"One nation under God, Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.† However, under the current criminal justice system, more and more people lose their liberties because of the crimes they have committed. According to Roy Walmsley, a consultant of the United Nations and Associate of the International Center for prison studiesRead MoreIncarceration : Balancing Punishment And Treatment988 Words   |  4 Pages4.0 Alternatives to Incarceration Balancing Punishment and Treatment Mass Incarceration In December 2013, President Barack Obama commuted the sentences of eight federal inmates who were convicted of nonviolent crack cocaine offenses, six of whom were serving life sentences (Miles 2014). The surge in the prison population of the United States of America can be attributed to changes in sentencing and policies that created stricter laws and harsher punishments for offenders. For the last half-centuryRead MoreMale And Female Sentencing : A Look Into Alternative Sentencing1274 Words   |  6 Pagespaper was prepared for CRMJ201. Abstract With incarceration rates rising and jail and prison populations at an all-time high, alternative sentencing is being used more often with non-violent offenders. This paper looks at male and female incarceration rates, the use of alternative programs for sentencing between the two and the effectiveness of such programs. During the paper we will analyze sentencing differences between male and female offenders. We will also analyze the use of alternative programsRead MoreAmerica Should Not Afford For Nonviolent Criminals Essay1741 Words   |  7 PagesAmerica cannot afford to continue incarcerating nonviolent criminals. Why reward offenders with food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and treatment programs at the taxpayers expense? Community supervision programs that require offenders to work to support themselves and their families make better sense. In addition, offenders should pay supervision fees, restitution to victims and court costs. Further, offenders on community supervision could utilize to addiction treatment programs and mentalRead MoreThe Flaws of Incarceration in America Essay1366 Words   |  6 Pagesinmates, and its incarceration rate is growing exponentially. The expense generated by these overcrowded prisons cost the country a substantial amount of money every year. While people are incarcerated for a number of reasons, the country’s prisons are focused on punishment rather than reform, and the result is a misguided system that fails to rehabilitate criminals or discourage crime. The ineffectiveness of the United States’ criminal justice system is caused by mass incarceration of non-violentRead MoreThe Incarceration Rate Of The United States1370 Words   |  6 PagesAlternatives to Mass Incarceration Once upon a time, Americans could proudly say that America was the land of freedom and opportunity. As the Pledge of Allegiance states, â€Å"One nation under God, Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.† However, under the current criminal justice system, more and more people lose their liberties because of the crimes they have committed. According to Roy Walmsley, a consultant of the United Nations and Associate of the International Center for prison studiesRead MoreThe Effects Of Substance Use And Incarceration894 Words   |  4 PagesState s long and complex history of substance use and incarceration. Some could make a strong argument that our country s battle against substance use has been a misguided, ill conceived, expensive, and discriminatory attempt which produced inauspicious results. The War on Drugs and Deinstitutionalization are two such attempts. This paper will analyze how these policy blunders have formed a strong association between substance use and incarceration, how current practice and research is attempted to