The Washington Post is reporting that there are now a record number of Americans (1 in every 100) in correctional facilities in the United States and that the U.S. is leading the world in the ratio of people in prison.

Analysts are calling the surge in incarceration as a result of “tougher” sentences and the scaling back of probation and parole. But, I believe at least part of the surge is a result of technology used in crime fighting efforts.

There are a number of new crimes that have been occurring since the Internet hit big in the 1990’s, including child pornography, online stalking and bullying, phishing, spamming, to name a few. Given the traceability of Internet crimes, many unsophisticated criminals are leading law enforcement right to their doorstep.

The Internet has also increased access to information with such details as how to make bombs, or creating a batch of meth. Which isn’t to say that easy access to information is overall a bad thing - it’s not.

Meanwhile, forensic technology innovations such as DNA analysis have been advancing crime solving rates which means more people are getting caught.  The massive increase in video surveillance and lower costs of video technology have also been catching the bad guys.

However, I believe that the increase in prison population is not something criminal justice professionals or our government should be proud of. There are many glaring problems which have also contributed to increase in prison population.

The top problem is that since the closure of many state mental health institutions in the 1980’s, many people with mental health problems have resurfaced in correctional institutions. The majority of correctional facilities are unable to address or treat those with mental health problems.

The lack of available health care, housing, and education for low income individuals is also a problem. Some offenders have committed crimes either to survive or to intentionally enter correctional facilities for housing, food, and health care.

Also, consider that the majority of those who are in correctional institutions are there because of drug related offenses. In the U.S. we consider drug addiction a mental health and medical problem while at the same time criminalizing drug use. This has a major impact on the overall increase in prison population. Other countries see the drug addition problem strictly as a mental health and medical issue and provide treatment without incarceration.

Along side of these problems there has been a general “get tough on criminals” attitude that has swept the nation. Common statutory offenses like skipping out on child support payments is landing more and more people in jail as the public has elected and empowered judges to be more tough.
The goal of the criminal justice and correctional systems should always be rehabilitate and give offenders the tools to live a normal life while giving the safety of the public and victims of crime priority.

APA Citation:
Smith, Nathan. M. (2008). 1 in 100 Americans Now in Correctional Institutions.
Retrieved May 16, 2008, from http://www.computer-forensic-technician.com/wordpress/1-in-100-americans-now-in-correctional-institutions/.