Looking at my theory of human behavior in prisons, I find support for my opinion from a different point of view. In the early 1900’s a jail/prison in Montpelier, Vermont had designed a program that had practically let inmates come and go as they please. They were not forced to wear a uniform. They are not supervised out in the town. They are free to spend the day doing as they please. The plan originated in the idea that jailers could leave for the day to do work. When the idea was proposed the townspeople were scared that murderers and thieves were free out on the streets like everybody else. In the beginning a couple of inmates (out of 800) tried to escape and were punished with a longer sentence. However, the rest understood the rules of the game and were grateful to be treated like a human again, they returned to jail everyday at their declared time and served their sentence. All the while morals were being taught to the prisoners and they cooperated with the system like professionals. (Swift, 1-14)
The ideas expressed in this paper represent the basic laws of human behavior being applied to the incarceration of people. The prison industry is a negative, but rapid-growing advancement. It does create more jobs, however, it changes the attitudes of the people working in prisons. Anyone working in a facility will tell you it is not a happy place to be. I’ve witnessed for myself on a tour of Great Meadows maximum-security correctional facility the coldness of the employees. The corrections industry is the fastest growing industry in the country today. The sad part is it’s an industry based on the torturing of other human beings. The reason it is growing so fast it that the number of inmates returning to prison is about 86%, 40.8 % returned within the first 3 years of release. Not to mention the “war on drugs” which is filling the cells so fast there is less time space for murderers, rapist and other violent offenders. (Federal Bureau of Prisons, 1)
Prisons are so damaging to one’s mental health that they find it almost impossible to find a place for themselves in society. In no time at all they find themselves back into a life of crime. From what I have read, it seems as if the only chance a criminal has of rehabilitation is before he or she enters a prison. A virgin to the prison system has a much greater chance off being taught morals, values and self-respect than after he or she has lived the life of a prisoner. After he or she serves a sentence in a facility, the frame of mind of the convict is in such a criminal tone that only the mentally strongest of people have a chance of leading a normal life. The “SHOCK” program for first time offenders has shown to have a much lower recidivism rate. This once again proves the fact that decent human treatment is far more effective than methods practiced in the rest of the corrections system. In my opinion the “SHOCK” program should do a better job at promoting pride and values and should be longer than a few months, but is definitely a huge step in the right direction.
The ideas expressed in this paper represent the basic laws of human behavior being applied to the incarceration of people. The prison industry is a negative, but rapid-growing advancement. It does create more jobs, however, it changes the attitudes of the people working in prisons. Anyone working in a facility will tell you it is not a happy place to be. I’ve witnessed for myself on a tour of Great Meadows maximum-security correctional facility the coldness of the employees. The corrections industry is the fastest growing industry in the country today. The sad part is it’s an industry based on the torturing of other human beings. The reason it is growing so fast it that the number of inmates returning to prison is about 86%, 40.8 % returned within the first 3 years of release. Not to mention the “war on drugs” which is filling the cells so fast there is less time space for murderers, rapist and other violent offenders. (Federal Bureau of Prisons, 1)
Prisons are so damaging to one’s mental health that they find it almost impossible to find a place for themselves in society. In no time at all they find themselves back into a life of crime. From what I have read, it seems as if the only chance a criminal has of rehabilitation is before he or she enters a prison. A virgin to the prison system has a much greater chance off being taught morals, values and self-respect than after he or she has lived the life of a prisoner. After he or she serves a sentence in a facility, the frame of mind of the convict is in such a criminal tone that only the mentally strongest of people have a chance of leading a normal life. The “SHOCK” program for first time offenders has shown to have a much lower recidivism rate. This once again proves the fact that decent human treatment is far more effective than methods practiced in the rest of the corrections system. In my opinion the “SHOCK” program should do a better job at promoting pride and values and should be longer than a few months, but is definitely a huge step in the right direction.
The ideas expressed in this paper represent the basic laws of human behavior being applied to the incarceration of people. The prison industry is a negative, but rapid-growing advancement. It does create more jobs, however, it changes the attitudes of the people working in prisons. Anyone working in a facility will tell you it is not a happy place to be. I’ve witnessed for myself on a tour of Great Meadows maximum-security correctional facility the coldness of the employees. The corrections industry is the fastest growing industry in the country today. The sad part is it’s an industry based on the torturing of other human beings. The reason it is growing so fast it that the number of inmates returning to prison is about 86%, 40.8 % returned within the first 3 years of release. Not to mention the “war on drugs” which is filling the cells so fast there is less time space for murderers, rapist and other violent offenders. (Federal Bureau of Prisons, 1)
Prisons are so damaging to one’s mental health that they find it almost impossible to find a place for themselves in society. In no time at all they find themselves back into a life of crime. From what I have read, it seems as if the only chance a criminal has of rehabilitation is before he or she enters a prison. A virgin to the prison system has a much greater chance off being taught morals, values and self-respect than after he or she has lived the life of a prisoner. After he or she serves a sentence in a facility, the frame of mind of the convict is in such a criminal tone that only the mentally strongest of people have a chance of leading a normal life. The “SHOCK” program for first time offenders has shown to have a much lower recidivism rate. This once again proves the fact that decent human treatment is far more effective than methods practiced in the rest of the corrections system. In my opinion the “SHOCK” program should do a better job at promoting pride and values and should be longer than a few months, but is definitely a huge step in the right direction.
Chris Cozzone. “Coddling My Ass”. 1994-1999. (opening quotation)
Chris Cozzone. “Gallery”. 1994-1999
Swift, Morrison I.. Humanizing the Prisons. The Atlantic Monthly August 1911, 10/12/00
Recidivism Among Federal Prison Releases in 1987: A Preliminary Report. Miles D. Harer, PhD. March 11, 1994 http://www.bop.gov/orepg/recid87a.html
From Alcatraz to Marion to Florence-Control Unit Prisons in the United States. 1992.
Works Cited
Chris Cozzone. “Coddling My Ass”. 1994-1999. (opening quotation)
Chris Cozzone. “Gallery”. 1994-1999
Swift, Morrison I.. Humanizing the Prisons. The Atlantic Monthly August 1911, 10/12/00
Recidivism Among Federal Prison Releases in 1987: A Preliminary Report. Miles D. Harer, PhD. March 11, 1994 http://www.bop.gov/orepg/recid87a.html
From Alcatraz to Marion to Florence-Control Unit Prisons in the United States. 1992.
Works Cited
Chris Cozzone. “Coddling My Ass”. 1994-1999. (opening quotation)
Chris Cozzone. “Gallery”. 1994-1999
Swift, Morrison I.. Humanizing the Prisons. The Atlantic Monthly August 1911, 10/12/00
Recidivism Among Federal Prison Releases in 1987: A Preliminary Report. Miles D. Harer, PhD. March 11, 1994 http://www.bop.gov/orepg/recid87a.html
From Alcatraz to Marion to Florence-Control Unit Prisons in the United States. 1992.
Works Cited
Chris Cozzone. “Coddling My Ass”. 1994-1999. (opening quotation)
Chris Cozzone. “Gallery”. 1994-1999
Swift, Morrison I.. Humanizing the Prisons. The Atlantic Monthly August 1911, 10/12/00
Recidivism Among Federal Prison Releases in 1987: A Preliminary Report. Miles D. Harer, PhD. March 11, 1994 http://www.bop.gov/orepg/recid87a.html
From Alcatraz to Marion to Florence-Control Unit Prisons in the United States. 1992.
Works Cited
Chris Cozzone. “Coddling My Ass”. 1994-1999. (opening quotation)
Chris Cozzone. “Gallery”. 1994-1999
Swift, Morrison I.. Humanizing the Prisons. The Atlantic Monthly August 1911, 10/12/00
Recidivism Among Federal Prison Releases in 1987: A Preliminary Report. Miles D. Harer, PhD. March 11, 1994 http://www.bop.gov/orepg/recid87a.html
From Alcatraz to Marion to Florence-Control Unit Prisons in the United States. 1992.
Works Cited
Chris Cozzone. “Coddling My Ass”. 1994-1999. (opening quotation)
Chris Cozzone. “Gallery”. 1994-1999
Swift, Morrison I.. Humanizing the Prisons. The Atlantic Monthly August 1911, 10/12/00
Recidivism Among Federal Prison Releases in 1987: A Preliminary Report. Miles D. Harer, PhD. March 11, 1994 http://www.bop.gov/orepg/recid87a.html
From Alcatraz to Marion to Florence-Control Unit Prisons in the United States. 1992.
Works Cited
Chris Cozzone. “Coddling My Ass”. 1994-1999. (opening quotation)
Chris Cozzone. “Gallery”. 1994-1999
Swift, Morrison I.. Humanizing the Prisons. The Atlantic Monthly August 1911, 10/12/00
Recidivism Among Federal Prison Releases in 1987: A Preliminary Report. Miles D. Harer, PhD. March 11, 1994 http://www.bop.gov/orepg/recid87a.html
From Alcatraz to Marion to Florence-Control Unit Prisons in the United States. 1992.
Works Cited
Chris Cozzone. “Coddling My Ass”. 1994-1999. (opening quotation)
Chris Cozzone. “Gallery”. 1994-1999
Swift, Morrison I.. Humanizing the Prisons. The Atlantic Monthly August 1911, 10/12/00
Recidivism Among Federal Prison Releases in 1987: A Preliminary Report. Miles D. Harer, PhD. March 11, 1994 http://www.bop.gov/orepg/recid87a.html
From Alcatraz to Marion to Florence-Control Unit Prisons in the United States. 1992.
Works Cited
Chris Cozzone. “Coddling My Ass”. 1994-1999. (opening quotation)
Chris Cozzone. “Gallery”. 1994-1999
Swift, Morrison I.. Humanizing the Prisons. The Atlantic Monthly August 1911, 10/12/00
Recidivism Among Federal Prison Releases in 1987: A Preliminary Report. Miles D. Harer, PhD. March 11, 1994 http://www.bop.gov/orepg/recid87a.html
From Alcatraz to Marion to Florence-Control Unit Prisons in the United States. 1992.
Works Cited
Chris Cozzone. “Coddling My Ass”. 1994-1999. (opening quotation)
Chris Cozzone. “Gallery”. 1994-1999
Swift, Morrison I.. Humanizing the Prisons. The Atlantic Monthly August 1911, 10/12/00
Recidivism Among Federal Prison Releases in 1987: A Preliminary Report. Miles D. Harer, PhD. March 11, 1994 http://www.bop.gov/orepg/recid87a.html
From Alcatraz to Marion to Florence-Control Unit Prisons in the United States. 1992.
Works Cited
Chris Cozzone. “Coddling My Ass”. 1994-1999. (opening quotation)
Chris Cozzone. “Gallery”. 1994-1999
Swift, Morrison I.. Humanizing the Prisons. The Atlantic Monthly August 1911, 10/12/00
Recidivism Among Federal Prison Releases in 1987: A Preliminary Report. Miles D. Harer, PhD. March 11, 1994 http://www.bop.gov/orepg/recid87a.html
From Alcatraz to Marion to Florence-Control Unit Prisons in the United States. 1992.
Works Cited
Chris Cozzone. “Coddling My Ass”. 1994-1999. (opening quotation)
Chris Cozzone. “Gallery”. 1994-1999
Swift, Morrison I.. Humanizing the Prisons. The Atlantic Monthly August 1911, 10/12/00
Recidivism Among Federal Prison Releases in 1987: A Preliminary Report. Miles D. Harer, PhD. March 11, 1994 http://www.bop.gov/orepg/recid87a.html
From Alcatraz to Marion to Florence-Control Unit Prisons in the United States. 1992.
Works Cited
Chris Cozzone. “Coddling My Ass”. 1994-1999. (opening quotation)
Chris Cozzone. “Gallery”. 1994-1999
Swift, Morrison I.. Humanizing the Prisons. The Atlantic Monthly August 1911, 10/12/00
Recidivism Among Federal Prison Releases in 1987: A Preliminary Report. Miles D. Harer, PhD. March 11, 1994 http://www.bop.gov/orepg/recid87a.html
From Alcatraz to Marion to Florence-Control Unit Prisons in the United States. 1992.
Works Cited
Chris Cozzone. “Coddling My Ass”. 1994-1999. (opening quotation)
Chris Cozzone. “Gallery”. 1994-1999
Swift, Morrison I.. Humanizing the Prisons. The Atlantic Monthly August 1911, 10/12/00
Recidivism Among Federal Prison Releases in 1987: A Preliminary Report. Miles D. Harer, PhD. March 11, 1994 http://www.bop.gov/orepg/recid87a.html
From Alcatraz to Marion to Florence-Control Unit Prisons in the United States. 1992.
Works Cited
Chris Cozzone. “Coddling My Ass”. 1994-1999. (opening quotation)
Chris Cozzone. “Gallery”. 1994-1999
Swift, Morrison I.. Humanizing the Prisons. The Atlantic Monthly August 1911, 10/12/00
Recidivism Among Federal Prison Releases in 1987: A Preliminary Report. Miles D. Harer, PhD. March 11, 1994 http://www.bop.gov/orepg/recid87a.html
From Alcatraz to Marion to Florence-Control Unit Prisons in the United States. 1992.
Works Cited
Chris Cozzone. “Coddling My Ass”. 1994-1999. (opening quotation)
Chris Cozzone. “Gallery”. 1994-1999
Swift, Morrison I.. Humanizing the Prisons. The Atlantic Monthly August 1911, 10/12/00
Recidivism Among Federal Prison Releases in 1987: A Preliminary Report. Miles D. Harer, PhD. March 11, 1994 http://www.bop.gov/orepg/recid87a.html
From Alcatraz to Marion to Florence-Control Unit Prisons in the United States. 1992.
Works Cited
Chris Cozzone. “Coddling My Ass”. 1994-1999. (opening quotation)
Chris Cozzone. “Gallery”. 1994-1999
Swift, Morrison I.. Humanizing the Prisons. The Atlantic Monthly August 1911, 10/12/00
Recidivism Among Federal Prison Releases in 1987: A Preliminary Report. Miles D. Harer, PhD. March 11, 1994 http://www.bop.gov/orepg/recid87a.html
From Alcatraz to Marion to Florence-Control Unit Prisons in the United States. 1992.
Works Cited
Chris Cozzone. “Coddling My Ass”. 1994-1999. (opening quotation)
Chris Cozzone. “Gallery”. 1994-1999
Swift, Morrison I.. Humanizing the Prisons. The Atlantic Monthly August 1911, 10/12/00
Recidivism Among Federal Prison Releases in 1987: A Preliminary Report. Miles D. Harer, PhD. March 11, 1994 http://www.bop.gov/orepg/recid87a.html
From Alcatraz to Marion to Florence-Control Unit Prisons in the United States. 1992.
Works Cited
Chris Cozzone. “Coddling My Ass”. 1994-1999. (opening quotation)
Chris Cozzone. “Gallery”. 1994-1999
Swift, Morrison I.. Humanizing the Prisons. The Atlantic Monthly August 1911, 10/12/00
Recidivism Among Federal Prison Releases in 1987: A Preliminary Report. Miles D. Harer, PhD. March 11, 1994 http://www.bop.gov/orepg/recid87a.html
From Alcatraz to Marion to Florence-Control Unit Prisons in the United States. 1992.
Works Cited
Chris Cozzone. “Coddling My Ass”. 1994-1999. (opening quotation)
Chris Cozzone. “Gallery”. 1994-1999
Swift, Morrison I.. Humanizing the Prisons. The Atlantic Monthly August 1911, 10/12/00
Recidivism Among Federal Prison Releases in 1987: A Preliminary Report. Miles D. Harer, PhD. March 11, 1994 http://www.bop.gov/orepg/recid87a.html
From Alcatraz to Marion to Florence-Control Unit Prisons in the United States. 1992.
Works Cited
Chris Cozzone. “Coddling My Ass”. 1994-1999. (opening quotation)