Introduction
The national criminal justice community is increasingly concerned with what has been called a "crisis in corrections." For many, the crisis is synonymous with overcrowding in prisons and jails. Others insist that this equation is too simple, and stress that the "crisis" involves not just crowding but also confusion and disagreement over the objectives and effectiveness of correctional treatment.
That prison and jail crowding is a major national problem cannot be disputed. Prison populations are now higher than they have ever been and are growing at an extraordinary rate. At present, inmate populations exceed cell capacity in almost all states--in most cases by a very substantial amount.
In addition to being extremely crowded, many prisons and jails are old and in a state of physical decay. They are often inadequately staffed; routine medical care, adequate nutritional requirements, and protection from physical abuse are often lacking. Educational, vocational, and other rehabilitative programs typically are no longer available or have been curtailed sharply (Ditton, 1999).
As of 1990’s, 46 states and U.S. territories either were under court order, or were involved in litigation likely to result in court orders, concerning prison conditions. The issue of crowding and other atrocious conditions is central to the overwhelming majority of these suits, and under present interpretation, the U. S. Constitution forbids the kind of treatment prison inmates in almost all states presently receive. Most of these states have been unable to meet the terms of the court orders, and despite periodic drastic action (such as refusals to accept new prison admissions or wholesale releases of inmates), the situation in most jurisdictions is daily getting worse. As a result, we are facing a far-reaching constitutional crisis (Maguire, & Pastore, 1998).
Why is prison crowding a problem? With few exceptions, the people in our prisons........
