The rates of suicides have gone higher in the local prisons and are attributed to the leading cause of deaths to the serving inmates. A report released by the Bureau of Justice Statistics indicates that up to 34% of deaths witnessed in the local USA prisons are self-inflicted. Indeed, this is a significantly higher rate considering that prisons are correctional facilities that work towards behavioral change than to cause fatalities (Tartaro, & Lester, 2010). In yet another indication, BJS statistics reveal that the death toll out of self-inflicted deaths is on the rising spree, and is expected to increase shortly.
Indeed, I agree to the fact that corrections staffs have an obligation to curtail the higher rates of suicides in the local prisons. As a correctional facility, prisons should serve the society’s interest than being a hell where deaths are witnessed. Indeed, being a prisoner does not qualify a person to become morally incorrigible citizen, but is placed in such places for the sake of conformity from the atrocities committed in the society. Prisons should be another society where policies allow for ethical lifestyle and an incubation center for responsible citizens (Kamerman, 1998). Therefore, corrections staffs have a duty to implement to impart the right corrective education and inspire inmates against attempts of suicides.
The prison condition largely contributed to numerous cases of self-afflicted deaths among the serving inmates. One such case refers to solitary confinement in the prisons, which deprive inmates the freedom to association and interactions with closer family members. Despite the fact that prisons serve as confinement centers, the right to interact with family members should never be deprived. Lack of freedom to associate with loved ones is attributed to most deaths in the prison docks (Tartaro, & Lester, 2010). Also, prison conditions deprive inmates the rights to proper food and care; these poor conditions have in most cases triggered self-afflicted deaths. In summary, prison conditions have triggered suicides in these correctional facilities. The example of suicides cases is the case of Sandra Bland, and the case involving the death of Victoria Gray in the Texas jail.
References
Kamerman, J. (1998). Negotiating responsibility in the criminal justice system. Carbondale [u.a.: Southern Illinois Univ. Press.
Tartaro, C., & Lester, D. (2010). Suicide and self-harm in prisons and jails. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books.
