NCJ Number
195946
Date Published
September 2001
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article discusses prison overcrowding in certain countries.
Abstract
Prison overcrowding is one of the major issues currently faced by many countries of the Asia and Pacific region. Problems resulting from prison overcrowding include lack of space and facilities to accommodate inmates, strain on staff and effective administration, and impediments to vocational training and other correctional programs. Proper classification and separation cannot be practicable in an overcrowded prison. Tension and stress among inmates is common. The causes of prison overcrowding are complicated and vary from nation to nation. The causes include an increase in crime, the war on drugs, effective police and prosecution operation, and tougher sentencing. In the United Kingdom and the United States the following alternatives to imprisonment have been widely used: absolute and conditional discharge, probation, community service, and house arrest. The easiest solution would be to build more prisons but this is an expensive and ineffective solution. A 10-point plan introduced by the Penal Reform International Organization includes informing public opinion on effective non-custodial measures; investing in crime prevention and crime reduction; reducing pre-trial detention; reducing sentence lengths, and treating rather than punishing drug addicts and mentally disordered offenders. The improvement of prison conditions is very important for the rehabilitation process of inmates. Suggestions for improving prison conditions include using alternatives to prison; acquiring suitable standards according to country; and providing supervisory mechanisms and regular inspection by governmental and nongovernmental organizations at the national and local level. Foreign inmates are becoming one of the most crucial issues facing correctional administrators all over the world. One way to solve this problem is the prisoner transfer treaty, which allows these prisoners to return home to serve the rest of their sentences. Prisoner transfer treaties facilitate the social reintegration of the prisoner, and remove an economic and administrative burden for prisons. Prisoner transfer treaties can have some implementation problems due to the difference between the law and penal sanctions of the participating countries. 6 notes, bibliography