What Happens in a Prison System?

Inmates take their experiences from prison into communities after their release.

According to a 2006 report from the Commission on Safety and Abuse in America's Prisons, emotional and physical abuse is common in the U.S. prison system. Many prisoners are deprived of basic needs and some are even subjected to solitary confinement and torture.

History

The commission found that since the mid-1970s, the population in prisons has risen from 400,000 to almost 2.4 million. Because the majority of U.S. prisons are crowded, violence is prevalent. Prisoners generally join gangs for protection and alliances.

The Facts

As of 2006, the commission noted that many doctors in prisons are considered underqualified to attend to the inmate. As a result, many prisoners are unhealthy or are receive improper treatment or care. Prisoners vastly outnumber the number of doctors in prisons, so prisoners often go without care for excessive periods.

Features

Prisoners not only have a power struggle among themselves, but they also have power struggles with guards. It's not uncommon for prison guards to abuse inmates out of frustration, fear, or a feeling of superiority. After the commission discovered the conditions, it has been working toward improving the U.S. prison system.

References

• Teachable Moment: What Happens Inside Prison