Current Issues in Correctional Management

Introduction

Overcrowded prisons are one of the prevailing issues faced by many states. The administration of the prison also faces strains and problems in managing their affairs effectively. In the United States, the same case of correctional management is challenging the administration to oversee those people who are separated from society because of the crimes they committed. For the purpose of training and rehabilitation courses, prisoners need classification and specification, but it cannot be done in those prisons where overcrowded persons are present. Hence, the problems for the correctional officer occur in how he can manage the problems that hamper his services and operations. Lack of proper management will contribute to the raising of issues like gangs and their violence, the use of illegal drugs, issues of gender and transgender, and increased mental and medical problems of the correctional population.

Discussion

The phenomena of gang violence and related issues are highly influencing the performance of correctional management. The parallel growth and the rising numbers of gangs in prisons are rapidly spreading in different cities and states of America. The correctional officers, however, do not provide information regarding the number of prisons that have gangs, and these security threat groups are enjoying the internal support of some officers of the prisons. There is a significant impact of gangs on the daily lives of the prisoners along with the staff and those places where these threatening groups move after their release from the respective prison. Other than the increasing violence by these gangs, they also help inmates from certain exploitations and make the atmosphere more stable and protected.

In the United States, around six lac inmates are released from the prisons. Among those, there are certain individuals who belong to different groups of gangs. They move back into society with the active linkages with their gangs. Until they properly leave their groups, there is a high chance of violent activities by these people in the community. In the same way, studies calculated that members of the gangs in the prisons have injured and attacked the members of the correctional officials (Allen, 2015). Some have threatened those officials who were present in the prisons. The majority of the institutions are giving effective training to their correctional officers for proper control and increased influence over these gangs. The staff also faces a number of other issues of persons residing in the prison, like excessive use of drugs.

The use and the smuggling of contraband in the prisons are increasing the problems for the correctional and management staff. Other than the prisoners, the officials, and the guards, through accepting certain bribes, help in transferring illicit drugs, network devices, cigarettes, and related illegal instruments. Such a high usage of drugs inside the prisons creates a number of challenges for the criminal staff. The illegality of the drug market and frequent use have increased the risk of imprisonment. The consumption of high-level drugs also creates health hazards for prisoners rather than the diseases prevailing in the general population of the United States. Infections like blood-borne, immunodeficiency virus, and the increased ratio of mental illness are prevalent among prisoners who use high levels of drugs.

In correctional management, other problems like the issue of transgender challenge the officials to tackle it with adequate facilities and effective services. There is an unavailability of the proper statistics regarding how many people are transgender, lesbian, and bisexual. The LGTB is affecting the services and the contributions of correctional staff. The authorities, while researching the issues of gender and their impact on the transgender residing in the prisons, have seen considerable effects. The United States Supreme Court has also ordered correctional officers to eliminate gender violence and assist those victims who are facing intensive issues in various prisons (Travis, 2014). Transgender inmates have raised their voices for the services of psychological counseling, intervention, and medical facilities.

With the increased sensitivity of gender, these transgender persons require vulnerable and unique facilities. Their suppression will harm the performance of the correctional management and will significantly affect the basic needs of transgender prisoners. The unacceptable situation reveals that fifty states do have equal privilege of access to medical care while, in contrast, the constitution allows equal effects of medical facilities to all the states. Similarly, the correctional population also has medical and mental health care issues and problems.

Incarceration has affected the health of those individuals entering correctional facilities. The overall physical condition of the prisoner is ultimately improved, but it is more destructive than the ratio of rehabilitation (Cooper, 2017). Prisoners have chaotic lives before entering jail, and imprisonment provides them with a stable daily routine along with proper food. It also decreases their access to the use of various drugs and harmful alcohol. Those black members of the American society have more access to the healthcare facilities in the prisons than whites. However, there are serious health issues and adverse effects on the health of individuals living in the prison environment. Energy-dense food and nutritional values of meals are not up to the mark against the daily life food consumed by the person. Overcrowded and isolated units, along with poor ventilation, contribute to the weakening of the health of the individual. Restrictions on movements and loss of contact create psychological issues like anxiety and hallucinations.

Conclusion

To sum up the discussion, there are a number of issues in correctional management. The managers and officials have to apply advanced techniques and methods to overcome those challenges faced by the prisoners. The staff, along with the prisoners, need training and a friendly environment where both can enjoy and pursue the positives of life. The United States is increasingly facing the challenges of gang violence, gender inequality, and prisoners’ excessive use of drugs, along with mental and physical health problems in detention centers.

References

Allen, H. E., Simonsen, C. E., & Latessa, E. J. (2015). Corrections in America: an introduction. Prentice Hall.

Cooper, D. T. (2017). Drug Use among Inmates. The Encyclopedia of Corrections.

Travis, J., Western, B., & Redburn, F. S. (2014). The growth of incarceration in the United States: Exploring causes and consequences.