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Mass Incarceration and Prisoner Reentry

mcgaskins324

Updated: Feb 7, 2021


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Prisoners need help while in prison and when they are released

The issue of mass incarceration and prisoner reentry are both major issues facing our country. Additionally, I strongly believe both are a part of a continuous cycle. I have personally been involved in this sector since 1999, working both inside and outside the walls with men, women, and juveniles. Here are the sad facts, in the United States, there are nearly 2.3 million people in 1,833 state prisons, 110 federal prisons, 1,772 juvenile correctional facilities, 3,134 local jails, 218 immigration detention facilities, and 80 Indian Country jails as well as in military prisons, civil commitment centers, state psychiatric hospitals, and prisons in the U.S. territories. (Sawyer & Wagner, 2020) Meanwhile, statistics say, 95% of the prison population will be eligible for release from prison with nearly 80% of these will be on parole. (U.S. Department of Justice: Bureau of Justice Statistics).

Now, once these returning citizens arrive back home, they will need to find work, a place to live, food, clothing, and support in reconnecting with family. As a result, many will recidivate. Recidivism is the tendency of a convicted criminal to re-offend. A U.S. Sentencing Commission report on recidivism among federal prisoners, released on January 24, 2019, showed that nearly 64% of prisoners who had been convicted of violent offenses were arrested within eight years compared with about 40% of those convicted of nonviolent offenses. According to an annual report from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, the three-year recidivism rate in Pennsylvania is 53.4%. Furthermore, taxpayers are impacted by the economic cost of crime and incarceration as the average per-inmate cost of incarceration in the U.S. is $31,286 per year.

Where does society fit in with all of this? Returning citizens need society to step up and help eliminate the recidivism problem. I understand the skepticism and concerns of the American public. My solution to this problem is to create a series of awareness campaigns on mass incarceration and reentry. These projects will educate the public while providing resources and hope for those who are in prison and those already released.

"The thought of re-engagement" is a documentary that looks at society's role in assisting returning citizens with their reentry process. Why should society care and what can they do? "The thought of re-engagement" will cover the lives of returning citizens who have changed their lives, community leaders who work with them and academics will discuss the impact of incarceration and reentry on society.

"Going Home - Reentry Reality" is a television show that covers and follows the lives of returning citizens. We will look at the joys, triumphs, and tragedies of men, women, and juveniles coming home from being incarcerated.

Do these individuals deserve a second chance? What are your thoughts? Also, would you watch a project on prisoner reentry? Let's start a conversation. Share your views.


Sources:


Sawyer, W., & Wagner, P. (2020, March 24). Mass Incarceration: The Whole Pie 2020. Retrieved October 05, 2020, from https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/pie2020.html

Recidivism Rates by State 2020. (n.d.). Retrieved October 05, 2020, from https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/recidivism-rates-by-state



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