Consequences of Prison Overcrowding

Overcrowding in prisons can create violence and cause health concerns for inmates.

Crowding is related to the spatial and social density within a given area. While the spacial density is the amount of square feet in a location, social density is the number of people sharing that space. Overcrowding in prisons causes a number of concerns and puts extra pressure on staff members, inmates and tax payers.

Lack of Resources

Overcrowding in prisons means that there are less resources to go around, and inmates may be unable to participate in academic and rehabilitative programs or vocational training. Lack of resources limits the inmates' ability to achieve self improvement. Work opportunities may also become sparse, which creates idleness and can lead to disruptive behavior and discontentment. Additional problems may include lack of washroom availability and limited access to recreational facilities and libraries.

Health Care

The close quarters in overcrowded prisons can lead to the spread of diseases more easily among inmates. With more prisoners becoming infected with diseases, the proper medications and antibiotics become less available. Prisoners are unable to receive a timely diagnosis and may spread the flu or a respiratory illness to their bunkmates and those around them. Because of the overcrowding, toilets and cooking facilities may not receive the proper sanitation and put inmates at risk for other contagious diseases.

Violence

Overcrowding in prisons may lead to greater anger, frustration and tension among prisoners. Inmates may be unable to avoid unwanted interaction, which can create stressful situations. These situations may cause them to act out and lead to aggressive behavior. Violence in prisons has negative effects for both the perpetrator and victim and not only involves physical harm, but can lead to longer prison stays and privileges taken away .

Pressure on Staff

Overpopulated prisons lead to an understaffed personnel. Staff members may not be able to control or enforce rules because of the sheer number of inmates. This can lead to additional stress at work and even put staff members in harm's way. Frustration on the part of inmates may lead to resistance and create dangerous situations that put correctional officers in unsafe situations. This can lead to assaults and other violent behavior against officers.

References

• ACLU-Southern California: Prison Overcrowding
• "Time"; Will the Supreme Court Keep Prisons Overcrowded?; Adam Cohen; June 2010
• "Illinois Times"; Illinois PRISONS: Standing room only; Patrick Yeagle; March 2010