In: Psychology
Discussing the ethical issues surrounding the overcrowding of our jails. Thoroughly discuss the topic including applicable solutions and their merit ethically. Search whether there is any pending legislation or applicable rules in your state regarding this matter. Assume you presenting your thoughts to a knowledgeable audience. The expectation is at least three academic sources.
When prison population goes beyond its authorised capacity of accomodation it is known as overcrowding. This has even become the human rights issue and it is deteriorating the general living conditions of the prisoners. Overcrowding does not mean that the crime is increasing it means the undermining the ability of prison systems such as basic human need, such as food, accomodation, health issues. Mainly the rehabilitation programmes, educational and vocational training are not able to work effectively. These all leads to lack of privacy which results in mental health problems and increase rates of vilence, self-harm and suicides.
Some of the key facts about overcrowding in jails where the prisoners are not having minimum space requirements, it is as severe that the prisoners are taking shifts in sleeping times, share the beds, are sleeping on the top of each other and some are even sleeping by standing nera the window bars. In some jails their is pardons relieve overcrowdingfor short terms relief. By overcrowding some groups are adversely affected where the needs of women and children are in detention.
With the increase of murders, rapist , drug sellers, there is increase in the crime rate a reason for overcrowding in the jails. Though the nations are responding by building more prisons at the fast pace,it is not sufficient for growing prosoners.Reformation and correctional measures have not gathered momentum in India due to immense pressure of overcrowding.
The overcrowding in the prisons are mainly due to delay in the disposal of undertrail cases in the courts, further the policy of Parole, probation, Remission has not been implemented in the letter and spirit. Another reason is unnecessary and unjustified arrests made by police and slow judicial process.
The consequences of the overcrowding are manifold. Thiscondition brings more severe, harmful and dehumanising impact on the prisoners.
Construction of new prisons , and increase the capacity of existing prisons , by holdingspecial courtsin prisons, utilization of privisions for grant of bail , implementing of the provisions of Plea are some of the suggestions to reduce overcrowding in prisons.