Prison overcrowding is a social phenomenon occurring when the demand for space in prisons in a jurisdiction exceeds the capacity for prisoners. The First Step Act of 2018 passed overwhelmingly in both houses of Congress and was signed by President Trump. Within the first year of enactment, more than 3,000 federal prisoners were released based on changes to the good-time credits calculation formula under the First Step Act, and more than 2,000 inmates benefited from sentence reductions.
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@ISIDEWITH8yrs8Y
Yes
@9D9JDC52yrs2Y
I think that overall we should switch from the outdated and moralist "punishment" model to the intelligent, ethical, and up to date "rehabilitation model" for our legal system. While current prisons are INCREDIBLY UNETHICAL due to the abuse of inmates and use of slavery, I think that the only reason someone should be in prison anyways is because they are a danger to society. Someone who evaded taxes is not a danger to society, they're harmless and possibly a cool person.
@MotivatedSheepDemocrat2yrs2Y
The punitive aspect of the criminal justice system also serves as a deterrent. For example, the possibility of prison may dissuade potential tax evaders. While a tax evader may not pose a direct physical threat to society, large scale tax evasion can weaken public services, which society relies on, thereby indirectly putting people at risk. How would you propose we deter such non-violent but still harmful crimes in a rehabilitation-focused model?
@9QQYVBJ10mos10MO
I think saying the punitive aspect deters crime is unwise to say when responding to a situation about prisons being overcrowded.
If it actually served as a deterrent as much as you say it does, this situation wouldn't exist in the first place.
@9HLL7S91yr1Y
No they should not because that's not fair to everyone else who has served their time for similar crimes
@9G7N8GKIndependent2yrs2Y
Without rehabilitation, there will be reoffending, and without creating incentives to be better citizens along with release crime with increase
@9FYNRM92yrs2Y
The number one reason why most prisoners are imprisoned is for drug charges. However, most drug dealers were raised into it and are just trying to provide for their family.
@ISIDEWITH8yrs8Y
No
@9FYNRM92yrs2Y
We need to allow second chances for prisoners, many prisoners were just young, dumb kids when they made their stupid decision to imprison them. Many of them really do change in prison and aren't able to prove that.
@9C67VV7Libertarian2yrs2Y
This is what's happening now with NO BAIL. Criminals are being let out for shoplifting or other small offenses. Stores and shopkeepers have to pass on the cost of any losses to the honest customers. There has to be consequences for breaking the law or there is no incentive for folks not to commit crime.
@9FMJ4ZQ2yrs2Y
I just don't think that this is a smart idea. They are just going to sit in there house and think of ways to get out or make more issues.
@ISIDEWITH8yrs8Y
No, but we should increase funding to offer education and skill building services for prisoners
@9G5DRCD2yrs2Y
Crime can be due to poverty, lack of coping skills, lack of opportunity. So we should focus on improving those things that we can control. I don’t think a person should spend long in prison and nonviolent crimes shouldn’t be felonies for the most part but a person should serve their 3-6 months in prison getting education and skills and then go out into the community and receive wrap around services to help them succeed. After 3 strikes a repeat non violent offender shouldn’t be treated as lenient. Intent and repetitiveness should also matter.
@ISIDEWITH8yrs8Y
Yes, but place them under house arrest using an electronic bracelet
@9FMJ4ZQ2yrs2Y
No, this isn't a good idea because they could just go out there and cause more problems. Just build bigger prisons and more places for them to go.
@9FMNV23Republican2yrs2Y
No because they should still be in prison they commited a crime and should face there punishment in the prison that's like saying a rapist should be allowed to wear a electric bracelet insteaed of being in prison.
@9G5DRCD2yrs2Y
Committing crime should have consequences that entail a loss of freedom. Non violent offenders shouldn’t spend long in prison but they should serve their time. Shorter sentences coupled with education and skill building is more important than sitting at home where the offender came up with the idea that it was okay to commit a non violent crime in the first place.
@ISIDEWITH4yrs4Y
No, transfer them to under crowded prisons instead
depending of what said prisoner was convicted for, like drug possession, or self defense they should be able to be let out on terms of good behavior.
Yes, but they should be required to attend some form of rehabilitation such as frequent community service, anger management classes, skills training, or a treatment center for addiction and mental health.
@99JGS332yrs2Y
Yes, but they must perform community service on a daily basis and should be monitored using an electronic bracelet. Another way to reduce overcrowding prisons is to execute all death row inmates and execute all murderers, terrorists, and all violent criminals. Once they are sentenced to death they should be executed ASAP.
@93PWQPQ3yrs3Y
No, transfer them to under crowded prisons instead.
@9D8JZSB2yrs2Y
@9LXTYYR1yr1Y
Yes, but if they commit another felony they should not be released from jail until there time is served even if they are non violent
@9G3DHMG2yrs2Y
No, we should abolish prisons and instead sentence all convicted criminals to the death penalty instead.
@9FJJFYL2yrs2Y
Yes, as long as the crime committed was a minor crime.
@9DXJFQP2yrs2Y
Yes, and stop sending people to prisons for non-violent crimes
@9D4PDDZ2yrs2Y
Yes, but they must perform community service on a daily basis and should be monitored using an electronic bracelet. Another way to reduce overcrowding prisons is to execute all death row inmates and execute all murderers, terrorists, and all violent criminals. Once they are sentenced to death they should be executed ASAP and not spend years on death row.
@9D3RPBQ2yrs2Y
We Must Increase More Funding to offer Education and Skill Building Services for Prisoners; we treat them as human beings, and Abolish Prisons.
@9X359Q96mos6MO
Yes, but they should be held liable in a different way, or be required to take reformation classes 5 days a week.
Yes, but require that they attend some form of rehabilitation like daily community service or mental health treatment and place them on a parole-like check-in system for a set period
@9MFBRSL12mos12MO
Yes, but they should be required to perform daily community service and report to a parole officer for a set period. Also create more job and skill-training services, housing support, mental health/addiction treatment, and other social programs to ensure that these prisoners reintegrate into society effectively
@9L74FFC1yr1Y
Yes, but require that they attend some form of frequent rehabilitation for re-integrating into society such as anger management courses, community service, addiction treatment, and skills training etc. Also place them on a parole-like check-in system to monitor their progress
@9L4Z23BIndependent 1yr1Y
Yes, but they must be given a fine, granted parole, and ordered to perform community service by a judge
Yes, but they should be required to undergo some form of rehabilitation and should remain on a parole-like check-in system for a certain time period.
@9GZDTYYIndependent1yr1Y
No, we should instead reform our justice system to remove prejudice and injustice for individuals on such a large scale. The U.S. has 10.4% of the world's prison population despite only making up 4.2% of the world's population, which means that our legal system is placing too many people in prison and our legal system needs to undergo some major reform, which can start with a reformation of the government to approach drug issues from a medical perspective rather than a legal one.
Yes, but also they should have fulfilling rehabilitation opportunities waiting for them.
@96FRNJ73yrs3Y
Yes, but they must perform community service on a daily basis and should be monitored using an electronic bracelet. Another way to reduce overcrowding prisons is to execute all death row inmates and execute all murderers, terrorists, and all violent criminals.
@sterdiz 5yrs5Y
No. More prisons/jails should be built and more mandatory labor from the inmates should be required in order to support the prisons/jails.
Deleted2yrs2Y
Only for non violent drug offenses.
@8F7X9DV5yrs5Y
it depends on what they're there for.
@983HWZH2yrs2Y
Decriminalize drug usage and we wouldn't have over crowded prisons.
Yes, but place them under the supervision of a probation or parole officer for the remainder of their sentence
@8X4HP324yrs4Y
Yes, they should, however I think it is still important that we keep a close eyes on those criminals. Also I think we should start a fund to send prisoners somewhere, like a retreat, before the prisoner is able to step back into society. A place where they can be examined by psychologists, talk to therapists and have parole officers determine if they are well enough to re-enter society.
Every prisoner who did not commit a violent or sexual crime should be released, and from now on nobody should be imprisoned except for a violent or sexual crime, and for any crime other than that they should either get a fine or community service.
@98NPJBP2yrs2Y
No, but there should be less prisons. There should not be for-profit prisons
@B2P2DXXRepublican3mos3MO
Yes, and should perform community service. And if they repeat the same crime, then they must be put in jail.
@9L74W6T1yr1Y
Yes, in moderation and upon an-unbiased jury's decision to release them. The sentence should be served closer to completion than starting and the jury must go over the facts of the case and the trial to make a well informed decision based on the character of the prisoner.
@9F9J3SP2yrs2Y
depends on what there in prison for
@9F597PF2yrs2Y
well I think that if you do the crime you should do the time because the people who are ono-violent people will do it again or something more serious so NO they should stay in there
@9F4D82W2yrs2Y
Yes, but still should be a part of a rehabilitation program to help them get back into society
@9F4B9YP2yrs2Y
Be more organized and section prisoners off better
@9DW22XR2yrs2Y
Yes, but only if they are on parole or have 2 or less years on their sentence
@9DTZBM42yrs2Y
It would depend on the severity of the non-violent crime
@9DS9WLT2yrs2Y
yes, and reduce the amount of convictions given to non-violent criminals.
@9DPMQ8H 2yrs2Y
No, we should reduce overcrowding by implementing an immediate death sentence on people who commit the most horrific crimes with irrefutable evidence or dangerous psychopaths who can never be rehabilitated.
@9DHM9ZQ2yrs2Y
Yes, but provide a work program for them
@9DGB99H2yrs2Y
Yes, and we must also provide them rehabilitation services to make their transition into society easier.
@9D7VRVM2yrs2Y
Yes, but it depends on the crime and they should be under house arrest.
@9D7RQVKConstitution2yrs2Y
No, follow through on real and harsh punishments would be a good deterrent. Our judicial system is broken
@9D6SCHY2yrs2Y
Prisoners in jail for things that are no longer crimes should be released first, and go from there.
@9D5434F2yrs2Y
All Juvenile offenders should be enrolled into a Military Acadamy until 18 years of age forgoing all contact with family. All adult offenders should serve in the military for minimum of five years to maximum of life or age 75.
@9D4XNST2yrs2Y
Yes and No. Depending on crime and case by case bases, there might be specific situations where people can not be let out do to flight risks, gang affiliations, or even to protect them from people want to hurt them. It should be a Case by Case choice, but if released, should be house arrested with an electronic bracelet and must perform community service on weekends. But more than they, there should be a Special Exception for Drug cases. Cops should be allowed to watch and show up at their houses randomly in the day to test them for drugs, and allowed to do a small contained search around the… Read more
@9D4Y3KJ2yrs2Y
Yes and have more programs to help teach about life and rehabilitation
@9D4Y7JBRepublican2yrs2Y
No, Releasing of prisoners is not the solution to reduce overcrowding. A combination of new prisons and better sentencing should be used to correct this.
@9D4QSCN2yrs2Y
There should be programs to complete and reviews for all inmates, both violent and non-violent to reduce their time. A violent charge does not mean the person is violent the same of a non-violent charge means the person is non-violent. It should be base on the inmate willing to improve and better themselves.
@8C5L9755yrs5Y
Yes, but the government should fund re-integration programs to ensure lower reincarceration rates
@93SB7YB3yrs3Y
Yes, but they perform community service on a daily basis until their time is served.
@934W25Z3yrs3Y
Yes, but they should wear monitors, check in with officers, have unannounced visits, and increase funding for education and skill building services
Yes, but they must regularly see a probation or parole officer for the remainder of their sentence, and maintain some form of employment or be enrolled in an educational skills building program
@98NTRYSWomen’s Equality2yrs2Y
We should not have prisons
@Brett-Bagsham3yrs3Y
Yes, unless they are a repeat offender
@952NDSG3yrs3Y
Prisoners convicted of victimless crimes should be released from jail in order to reduce overcrowding
@93Y8XNR3yrs3Y
Yes, but put them on parole
@93GDZVH3yrs3Y
Yes, and abolish the prison-industrial complex.
@8FFSX395yrs5Y
Yes, but only for those convicted of victimless crimes
@8F356YM5yrs5Y
Yes, but they should be required to participate in some form of education or rehabilitation in order to prevent them from being a repeat offender.
@B58QHVZ5 days5D
Yes, but after community service and rehab/education/skill building courses. Minimum 12-18 weeks. More like 24-36 weeks. Rehabilitation with some punishment over "just" punishment.
@B56VPVT1wk1W
Yes, but if they are still serving a sentence, find another punishment, such as parole, house arrest, or community service.
@B55P9Z41wk1W
Yes but they must perform community service on a weekly basis and we should increase funding to offer education and skill building for prisoners
@B523NYC2wks2W
Non-violent prisoners who have not committed crimes that are worthy of the death penalty should be released but they should do community service on a daily basis.
@B4Z6D6Q2wks2W
Non violent prisoners shouldn't be sent to the same prison as violent prisoners. We shouldn't build more prisons, we should offer programs, and for those people who shown no improvement overtime, we should send them to a different prison for people who needs to be "broken" for lack of a better term.
@B4VPF5N3wks3W
yes but performing civil service everyday and have to attend skill building service and education but if violating rules or regulations with laws or anything you are fined and sent back to prison.
@B4V42QN3wks3W
I am totally a yes for this except ALL SEXUAL OFFENSES. the country is always in political hystaria after an early-release man rapes or sexually assults a woman or child. if you in prison or jail for ANY AND ALL sex offenses you should 100% SERVE THE WHOLE LONG-X SENTANCE. ALL OF IT more even!!! sentances are not long enough and signal to men not to take a conviction seriously because its "not that big a deal"
@B4TQH793wks3W
we should invest in halfway houses to help rehabilitate those prisoners into productive members of society
@B4TG9CDProgressive 3wks3W
I would say yes so long as they are given special procedures to keep watch over them to ensure they are not going to commit a crime again. Although leaving non-violent, they could always relapse and return to their prior behavior. Most likely their problems are circumstantial and cannot be fixed by the current prison system alone, so until those problems are accurately dealt with, precautions should be made.
@B4RBS48Republican3wks3W
I think those who has a less grotesque charges in prison could get time taken off their sentence due to overcrowding
@B4PT5RM4wks4W
either put them on parole or other stuff like house arrest or community service depending on what they were in prison for and if they are a threat to people
@9ZTQW4V 4wks4W
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Decisions should be based on the nature of the offense, the individual’s behavior, the situation at the specific facility, and rehabilitation potential. Blanket releases are not the answer, but neither is ignoring overcrowding.
Depends on the crime. Drug dealers and users are fine for the most part if given like a form of surveilance but no to rapists and pedophiles.
@B4LPXW44wks4W
It depends on the crime. If such people are in prison for non-violent offenses that actually negatively affect other people such as theft, fraud, related crimes such as money laundering, and so on, then they shouldn't be released solely on the grounds of being considered non-violent. Even though they are technically non-violent, theft and fraud still harm society because they threaten people's property rights. However, if such prisoners have been convicted of crimes such as drug trafficking, prostitution, gun possession, and/or other crimes that do not directly harm other people, then they should definitely be released to reduce mass incarceration.
@B4LNGP84wks4W
Varies depending on how much danger such prisoner poses to the community. E.g. Non-violent but repeat sex-offenders should not be released, but non-violent drug users should be rehabilitated.
@B4LM99V4wks4W
Depends on there crime, But they should be offered community service and other programs to help them get back into society.
@B4LDKRX4wks4W
no, put them in some kind of rehab and have them rebuild themselves. They aren't in jail for no reason
If they were to be released, their record should be carefully examined to insure the government isn't releasing people considered as "a menace to society" in our environment.
@B4JL8LL1mo1MO
It really depends on how they were put there. You could be non-violent but still have done a heinous crime.
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