Reducing Inmate Misconduct and Prison Returns - Essay Example

Individuals are sent to prison as a punishment for the wrong done not FOR the punishment. The inmates ought to be involved in productive labor which creates impact rather than being imposed into painful, harsh and meaningless work. During their stay in prison, inmates should be allowed to engage in productive opportunities as part of their sentence. As seen in Colorado prisons where inmates have enacted a program to train dogs hence prisoners can be of great use to the society once given a chance to explore their talents. Though the prison is a total institution, it should leave room for self-development to the inmates. No-frill policies put should be revised to give maximum space for service and program growth to the inmates (Connor & Denton 2017).

Inmate work should aim at improving the future lives of the prisoners and see them reintegrate into the community. Thus, prisoners need to be trained and allowed to perform meaningful work which will benefit the whole economy and society. Inmates who get released and join the economy or workforce tends to reintegrate faster with the community compared to those who have no skills and training. The prison should involve them in meaningful work that is of benefit to the society. For example, Folsom State Prison in California has welding programs whereby the inmates are trained thus enabling them to get jobs once released from the prison (Newton, Day, Giles, Wodak, Graffam & Baldry 2016).

Donald Clemmer says that prisonization and lack of freedom to involve in diverse work that one loves make the prisoners give up their identity and become entirely dependent on the system (Connor & Denton 2017). Inactivity and idleness lead to the formation of prison gang structures which are a threat to the security. It also increases violence, inmate assaults and other collective violence as the inmates spend much time inactive hence cease the opportunity to organize the violence and attacks. Additionally, keeping the inmates busy all time reduces boredom and impact of jail environments like tension, alienation, guilt, and anxiety.

Inmates have demonstrated a vast knowledge in carpentry, molding, transcribing books into braille and computer software development and repairs (Newton et al., 2016). They should be kept busy doing various activities aimed at developing themselves and the outside world. The prison should not restrict the prisoners from involving in various tasks that develop their skills and talents. Though they should be monitored to prevent crimes, they should be given opportunity to explore various works (Pompoco, Wooldredge, Lugo, Sullivan & Latessa 2017).

According to Newton et al., (2016), inmates should be provided with Vocational training and work opportunities to use after their release. Vocational training in prison plays a vital role in alleviating incarceration. The training makes the individuals gather various skills necessary for the job industry. The training is of significant impact once the prisoner gets out of the prison since qualifying for good jobs which help stabilize their lives. The training is considered valuable in the job market as opposed to traditional education courses which are highly competitive. Some of these beneficial vocational training include computer management, auto repairs, foods and beverages and healthcare (Pompoco et al., 2017).

Vocational training also enhances the personal development of inmates while in prison. The prison aims to improve the inmates and make them sound people in future through correcting them. The punishment of been in confinement awakens senses to some prisoner during the rehabilitation period. Some realize their abilities and talents while in detention thus they need to be given a chance to exploit their skills (Connor & Denton 2017).

Conclusion

Inmates should be exposed to various meaningful works while in prison. They ought to be kept busy doing a beneficial job for self-growth. Vocational training in all fields should be available to train inmates on various skills to be used after the release. Furthermore, the training and inmates work should be highly monitored to reduce crimes like involvement in terrorism, especially for the computer gigs and hackers. Much training in the various field should be offered, but the job opportunity should be limited until their release.

References

Connor, D. P., & Denton, A. N. (2017). Clemmer, Donald. The Encyclopedia of Corrections.

Newton, D., Day, A., Giles, M., Wodak, J., Graffam, J., & Baldry, E. (2016). The impact of vocational education and training programs on recidivism: a systematic review of current experimental evidence. International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology, 0306624X16645083.

Pompoco, A., Wooldredge, J., Lugo, M., Sullivan, C., & Latessa, E. J. (2017). Reducing inmate misconduct and prison returns with facility education programs. Criminology & Public Policy, 16(2), 515-547.YouTube. (2018). An Inmate's Best Friend. [online] Retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=We92yXNBv80 [Accessed 11 Jan. 2018].