This problem is everyone's problem. Our money is being used to build more prisons in order to house more inmates. The majority of those incarcerated are repeat offenders. Why? Because while incarcerated they are dehumanized, demoralized and every bit of dignity taken from them. They are reminded every minute of every day by the guards and the system that they are losers. Upon release they are expected to pick up their life without any psychological evaluation, work evaluation or jobs waiting for them. They are unable to get a job because they are labeled and discriminated upon. If they do not have a good support group of family, loved ones, friends, clergy and various professionals to help them transition back into society, they fail and end up back in the prison system. Now who really failed - the taxpayers, prison system, society or the incarcerated? My indoctrination into the prison system happened about a year ago when a member of my family was arrested and accused of a non-violent federal white collar crime. Currently, he is awaiting appearance before the judge to plea and if found guilty, be sentenced. He has been in protective custody since he has been in this facility because he feared for his life. He is one of many who are incarcerated waiting a court date for their plea and sentencing. These inmates have not been convicted or sentenced, yet they are treated the same as the convicted violent criminal. I assumed inmates got three balanced meals a day, are allowed to go outside for fresh air and exercise, can get a book from the library, make phone calls or get medical assistance when an emergency arises. Meals are sub-standard and the food is not nutritional. Medical emergencies take about 1 - 2 days before appearance of a physician. Inmates taking medication for existing medical conditions do receive their medication; however, it is not dispensed on a regular daily schedule. Those in protective custody have to share a cell with another inmate when there is a shortage of beds. This year there was a stabbing of an inmate in protective custody. How could this happen when there are always guards in the presence of an inmate? Protective custody inmates are in lock down 23 - 23 1/2 hours a day. They are given about 30 minutes a day, 3:00AM - 4:00AM, to make phone calls to and to shower.
I am a firm believer that if a crime has been committed and a person convicted by the court and/or their peers without a shadow of a doubt, then they must be held accountable. However, everyone has rights and no one should be treated inhumanly. We all should be looking into what is happening in the prison system and the spending of our tax dollars. Those incarcerated should be given the opportunity to successfully succeed when placed back into society. As taxpayers we do have a say. Do we rehabilitate the incarcerated or do we continue with the current system?