Causes and Consequences of Incarceration Growth in the US
Causes and Consequences of Incarceration Growth in the US
The central thesis of this article looks to the main cause of the massive incarceration growth of the United States within the last several decades or so. There is not definitive answer of hypothesis presented her but solely means of study in hopes to provide statement as to why such incarceration rates are currently evident in the U.S.. The study evidence most importantly presented suggested that the “unprecedented rise in incarceration rates can be attributed to an increasingly punitive political climate surrounding criminal justice policy formed in a period of rising crime and rapid social change” (Travis, Western, & Redburn, 2014). That is to say, government sentence lengths have been increasingly significant, with requirement of minor offenses prison time alongside intensified drug crime punishment. Another finding was that changes amongst penial policy throughout the past several decades, suggests an abundance of social costs unwanted whilst a strong uncertainty of crime reduction benefits (Travis, Western, & Redburn, 2014).
In saying so, alongside the article I can agree with the conclusive idea that no matter what source of empirical evidence one may contain, when in the central domain of justice, this is not and should not a sole explanation to national policy. However that is not to say that its beneficiary and explicit evidential sustenance should be completely disregarded. I agree and believe that ultimate correctional policy here is the further promotion, encouragement, and strong sense of advocacy towards the seriously lacking normative principles within the U.S. (Travis, Western, & Redburn, 2014). Normative principles have lengthy and strong ties within the theories and jurisprudence of governance and are crucially needed to “supplement empirical evidence to guide future policy and research” (Travis, Western, & Redburn, 2014). The Country must urge a systematic review of the nation’s current sentencing policies with the ultimate goal being of significant reduction in incarceration rates amongst the United States.
References:
Travis, J., Western, B., & Redburn, S. (Eds.). (2014). Causes and Consequences of Incarceration Growth in the US; PDF. 334-357. Causes and Consequences of High Rates of Incarceration; Committee on Law and Justice; Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education; National Research Council]. THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS.
