The Pros And Cons Of Modern Prisons - 1261 Words

There was a time when criminals could anonymously wander within the populous and commit crimes, without getting caught or getting severe punishments. Now, with the idea and creation of prisons, the ability to lawfully punish criminals exists. The innocent are now safe. But is modern prison truly beneficial? London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom, is known as the birthplace of modern imprisonment (â€Å"History of Prisons†). Jeremy Bentham, a philosopher that was highly against the idea of the death penalty, created a concept for a penitentiary that would be used to detain criminals as prisoners as a form of punishment. By the 19th century, Jeremy’s concept became a reality and prisons were being built for the sole purpose of†¦show more content†¦According to the Sentencing Project, even when the crime rates had declined, the number of people sentenced to prison for property and violent crimes increased. This population problem can be fixed. How can this dramatic increase in incarceration be handled? Well, according to the Sentencing Project, we can start by â€Å"eliminating mandatory minimum sentences and cut back on excessively lengthy sentences; for example, by imposing a 20-year maximum on prison terms, we can be shifting resources to community-based prevention and have treatment for substance abuse by investing in interventions to promote strong youth development and respond to delinquency in age-appropriate and evidence-based ways. We could be examining and addressing the policies and practices, conscious or not, that contribute to racial inequity at every stage of the justice system, and removing barriers that make it harder for individuals with criminal records to turn their lives around.†. Also, there are prisons that can maintain that population called private prisons. According to Vittana.org, private prisons can better control population levels by transporting pri soners to specific locations where there are greater needs. They state that, â€Å"This lessens the threat of overcrowding on local systems while still allowing for profitability.† So, this population problem is really not much to worry about. The bottom line is, the innocent are protected. People may say, well since theShow MoreRelatedPros And Cons Of Solitary Confinement1001 Words   |  5 PagesOver the last couple of decades, prison systems have adopted the use of solitary confinement as a means of punishment and have progressively depended on it to help maintain obedience and discipline inside the prison structure. Solitary confinement is a form of incarceration in which a prisoner is isolated in a cell for multiple hours, days, or weeks with limited to no human contact. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, the United States represents only 5% of the worlds population yetRead MoreCapital Punishment and Life Without Parole Essay897 Words   |  4 Pageshe was then ordered to take his own life. In present day the death penalty has changed drastically. The death penalty has undergone many changes since then. In medieval times the methods used to kill people were inhumane and often times cruel. In modern times the methods to kill people are much more hum ane. The death penalty has been used less and less often and even outlawed in some states. The death penalty should be used more often and for more crimes. If the death penalty was used more oftenRead MorePros And Cons Of Private Prisons1625 Words   |  7 PagesThe United States has had a long and controversial history when it comes to the U.S prison system. 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The thought of killing someoneRead MoreThe Death Penalty Of The United States1520 Words   |  7 Pagescapital punishment but also required it (â€Å"Facts about the Death Penalty† 3). Execution was the automatic penalty for anyone convicted of murder or several other serious crimes. The debate has shifted from whether capital punishment is appropriate in a modern civilized society to questions about the fairness of the trials and the reliability of the results. These questions have contributed to the rise of citizens who oppose the death penalty (â€Å"Facts about the Death Penalty† 3). A divided United StatesRead MoreDeath Penalty Pros and Cons1636 Words   |  7 Pages Pros and Cons of the Death Penalty The death penalty is a legal process whereby a person is put to death as a punishment for a crime. The death penalties are usually carried out for retribution of a heinous murder committed, such as aggravated murder, felony killing or contract killing. 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Material incentives, according to Stout, are only part of the complex equation that is behavior. Throughout the book the author gives examples of research-based theories that prove there are many other ways to lessen delinquent activities that do not involve punishment or prison. These tests have proven that there are three main factors needed to influence human behavior and in turnRead MoreDeath Penalty Pros Cons2512 Words   |  11 PagesTop 10 Pros and Cons Should the death penalty be allowed? The PRO and CON statements below give a five minute introduction to the death penalty debate. (Read more information about our one star to five star Theoretical Credibility System) 1. Morality 2. Constitutionality 3. Deterrence 4. Retribution 5. Irrevocable Mistakes 6. Cost of Death vs. Life in Prison 7. Race 8. Income Level 9. Attorney Quality 10. Physicians at Execution PRO Death Penalty CON Death Penalty 1. 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