Problem of Imprisonment, Overcrowding of Prisons -- The Search for Solutions (From Resource Material Series No. 38, P 13-24, 1990, United Nations Asia and Far East Institute -- See NCJ-135723)

• NCJ Number: 135724
• Author(s): H G Dharmadasa
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 12 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: Japan

Annotation

Sri Lanka is used as a model to describe the problem of prison overcrowding in Third World nations, who are often unable to adhere to the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules regarding accommodation for inmates. In Sri Lanka, for example, the prison overcrowding problem is exacerbated by a gross inadequacy of essential basic facilities as well as insufficient staff to supervise and control the large number of prisoners.

Abstract

There are many causes of prison overcrowding: the overreliance on imprisonment as a means of punishing offenders, the imprisonment of offenders who do not pay their fines, the large number of remand prisoners admitted to institutions, and a lack of suitable prison facilities. Overcrowding severely impacts on penal administration and reduces the quality of life for inmates. Some solutions to the problem are suggested: diversion from the criminal justice system, decriminalization and diversion to non-penal institutions, measures to reduce the remand prison population, and measures to reduce the convicted prison population including modification of penal sanctions, use of community corrections, and use of traditional alternatives to imprisonment. These include community service, parole, and probation in its various new forms including Intensive Probation Supervision and home detention coupled with electronic monitoring. 10 references