NCJ Number
122602
Date Published
1990
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The ultimate solution to the problem of prison crowding is not to focus all efforts on developing more bed space and better management strategies; instead, efforts are needed to ensure that only appropriate offenders are placed in prison and to provide sound community supervision and programming for offenders after their release.
Abstract
Unfortunately, the public's desire for stricter sentencing is making prison overcrowding worse. However, new prison construction is not keeping pace with inmate intake. In addition, no evidence exists to show that prison is a better deterrent to criminal behavior than are other sanctions, nor that long sentences are more of a deterrent than shorter sentences. Thus, focusing on incarceration is an expensive and counterproductive reaction to much criminal behavior. However, controversy exists regarding whether better schools, improved drug treatment and education, the elimination of poverty, and the improvement of mental health service delivery would solve the crime problem. Nevertheless, it is clear that comprehensive drug testing and treatment programs for offenders would help reduce criminal behavior. In addition, criminal justice professionals should avoid becoming pressured by public hysteria and should focus on developing responsible reactions to crime. 6 references.