Tag: Prison

States that impose severe prison sentences accomplish the opposite of what they say they want

Research shows that imposing longer sentences harms inmates and society. There are less expensive − and more effective − ways to hold people accountable and help them prepare for life after prison.
— Read on theconversation.com/states-that-impose-severe-prison-sentences-accomplish-the-opposite-of-what-they-say-they-want-247550

Bad Behavior: How prison disciplinary policies manufacture misconduct | Prison Policy Initiative

A 50-state analysis of state prison discipline policies shows these unfair and unaccountable systems are counterproductive, traumatizing, and lengthen prison stays.
— Read on www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/discipline.html

For your consideration:

Procedural Due Process In Prisoner Discipline Cases

Part 1

https://www.aele.org/law/2019all12/2019-12MLJ301.pdf

Part 2

https://www.aele.org/law/2020all01/2020-01MLJ301.pdf

Why “Rehabilitating” Repeat Criminal Offenders Often Fails | Manhattan Institute

This report seeks to add much-needed perspective to America’s debate over criminal rehabilitation policies. Crucially, we document what is known and not known about the efficacy of rehabilitation programs in curtailing recidivism. We start by highlighting the psychological challenge of altering criminal behavior. We then review U.S. efforts to develop and deliver rehabilitation programs over […]
— Read on manhattan.institute/article/why-rehabilitating-repeat-criminal-offenders-often-fails

A Matter of Life: The Scope and Impact of Life and Long Term Imprisonment in the United States – The Sentencing Project

Overview

In the United States, the federal government and every state enforces sentencing laws that incarcerate people for lengths that will exceed, or likely exceed, the span of a person’s natural life. In 2024, almost 200,000 people, or one in six people in prison, were serving life sentences.1 The criminal legal system’s dependence on life sentences disregards research showing that extreme sentences are not an effective public safety solution.

This report represents The Sentencing Project’s sixth national census of people serving life sentences, which includes life with the possibility of parole; life without the possibility of parole; and virtual life sentences (sentences reaching 50 years or longer). The report finds more people were serving life without parole (LWOP) in 2024 than ever before: 56,245 people were serving this “death by incarceration” sentence, a 68% increase since 2003. While the total number of people serving life sentences decreased 4% from 2020 to 2024, this decline trails the 13% downsizing of the total prison population. Moreover, nearly half the states had more people serving a life sentence in 2024 than in 2020.
— Read on www.sentencingproject.org/reports/a-matter-of-life-the-scope-and-impact-of-life-and-long-term-imprisonment-in-the-united-states/