Introduction
The number of Americans behind bars has grown to nearly 2 million, requiring federal and state governments to build an unprecedented number of prisons. Conservatives argue that while regrettable, the prison-building boom has helped to bring down the nation's high crime rate. But liberals and others say the United States is building prison cells when it should be combating crime by spending more money on education and drug treatment. In addition, they argue, other tough-on-crime measures, such as mandatory minimum sentences and truth-in-sentencing laws, are simply keeping minor felons in jail too long and at great expense to the taxpayers. But proponents of tough sentencing laws counter that they are needed as an antidote to lenient judges.
The medium-security jail facility in Castaic, Calif., houses some of the 20,000 inmates in the severely overcrowded Los Angeles County jail system. (Photo Credit: Damian Dovarganes, Associated Press)
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Apr. 12, 2019 |
Bail Reform |
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Oct. 19, 2018 |
For-Profit Prisons |
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Mar. 03, 2017 |
Women in Prison |
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Jan. 10, 2014 |
Sentencing Reform |
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Sep. 14, 2012 |
Solitary Confinement |
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Mar. 11, 2011 |
Downsizing Prisons |
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Dec. 04, 2009 |
Prisoner Reentry |
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Apr. 06, 2007 |
Prison Reform |
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Jan. 05, 2007 |
Prison Health Care |
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Sep. 17, 1999 |
Prison-Building Boom |
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Feb. 04, 1994 |
Prison Overcrowding |
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Oct. 20, 1989 |
Crime and Punishment: a Tenuous Link |
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Aug. 04, 1989 |
Can Prisons Rehabilitate Criminals? |
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Aug. 07, 1987 |
Prison Crowding |
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Nov. 25, 1983 |
Prison Overcrowding |
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Feb. 26, 1982 |
Religious Groups and Prison Reform |
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Jun. 18, 1976 |
Criminal Release System |
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Mar. 12, 1976 |
Reappraisal of Prison Policy |
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Oct. 20, 1971 |
Racial Tensions in Prisons |
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Oct. 13, 1965 |
Rehabilitation of Prisoners |
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Oct. 09, 1957 |
Prisons and Parole |
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May 02, 1952 |
Penal Reform |
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Jan. 30, 1937 |
The Future of Prison Industry |
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May 08, 1930 |
Prison Conditions and Penal Reform |
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