Do Treatment of Prisoners Matter in Society? - Essay Sample

Introduction

Prisons are characterized by power imbalances, authoritarianism, restriction of movement and activities, lack of freedom of association, isolation, and enforcement of sometimes trivial and arbitrary demands (Chartrand, 2018). Since they are correctional centers, prison environments are not required to execute the very trauma and violence that are experienced by the inmates. Between 2015 and 2016, there were over 40,000 people from Canada's population who were in some kind of correctional facility (Correctional Service of Canada, 2017). While this may be cumbersome to believe, it is, unfortunately, the bare truth.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Order now

Most people have the thoughts that correctional facilities are horrible places designed for inhumane treatment and punishment for wrongdoings. Jails and other correctional facilities are basically defined as a place where people are confined and held in lawful custody. According to Thompson (2011), the primary goal of a prison is to return people, who were once criminals or who did a wrong activity, back to society as improved and changed persons. In this case, the prisons should have oversight and ensure that they are run in a humane manner. Therefore, the treatment of prisoners matters in society due to the following reasons.

One, prisoners are humans, just like those of us enjoying our freedom of liberty. The fact that they are incarcerated does not make them less of human beings. Jails and prisons among other correctional facilities should be places for people who are provided with ample time to recover and change their actions for the better for easy and proper integration into the real world again. They should be designed to provide lessons to the prisoners so that they don't repeat their mistakes again. However, this is not the case as the inmates are usually treated in inhumane ways. Most of the prisons are presented as unsafe, dirty, vermin-infested and lacked areas where the inmates could exercise and access some fresh air. Moreover, some jail authorities place inmates in restraining devices for longer periods than legitimate safety considerations.

There is severe overcrowding in the jails that is coupled with inadequate staffing which creates dangerous conditions as indicated in the number of inmates who are injured during fights, experience seizures, and other medical emergencies. An example is the bloodshed incident in Lee Correctional Institution in South Carolina that led to at least seven inmates bleeding to death from stab wounds, while 22 others suffered injuries (Barron, 2018). The correctional investigator, Ivan Zinger, stated in an article that "playing with food can result in detrimental effects on the inmate population," and can "lead to tension," which can result into riots and even death. He also claims to have received a letter from his predecessor claiming that most of the inmates were not receiving a complete meal due to the buffet style of serving that quickly runs out food. Moreover, the meals were unpleasant and not up to the nutritional requirements.

This is not a problem facing Canada alone, but most of the correctional facilities even in other developed countries. This is evidenced by the 19-day strike by US prison inmates in 2018 with at least 17 states participating (Barron, 2018). Among the major concerns for the strike was to improve the living conditions and to recognize the humanity of the imprisoned persons among others. In September 2016, prisoners at facilities across the country protested for better conditions. Moreover, in March and April 2017, prisons in Delaware and Tennessee also exploded in similar protests (Thompson, 2017). The concern that both former and current prison staff have with regards to the health conditions of the inmates regarding improper nutrition and inadequate food is worrisome given that the country is not a third world country. Therefore, the prisoners need to be fed properly, with good and nutritious meals since they are still humans. Good and nutritious meals are also vital for the proper functioning of the body system, rehabilitation, and reintegration into the real world.

Two, physical treatment has an impact on the psychological and mental development of a person. Poor treatment of prisoners has a high likelihood of developing into mental illness. This is a serious illness that negatively affects one's ability to think appropriately and develop proper emotions, body language, and behavior. The experience of ex-prisoners while in prison has led to most of them developing mental health conditions and disorders that they are dealing with to date. These include depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders and schizophrenia among others. A recent study by Michigan State University on mental illness/disorders in prison indicate that out of the 4 million prisoners released, 23% of them suffer from major depressive disorders. Most of them attributed the condition to the incarceration and punishments they had to go through regularly while serving their term.

According to Sapers' last official report as a Correctional Investigator for the year 2015-16, there was overreliance on and an escalation in the use of force and even involving inflammatory agents; inadequate progress in preventing deaths while in custody and alternative service delivery arrangements for offenders who were significantly mentally ill ("Johnhoward.ca," 2017). Moreover, according to Chan, Chuen & McLoed (2017), the use of force against inmates who are already in a vulnerable position in Canadian prisons is alarming. This involves the use of inflammatory agents such as pepper spray, physical handling, use of batons or weapons, restraint equipment, and display or use of firearms. A similar trend was observed in a 2013 investigation in Ontario where correctional officers use excessive violence against inmates resulting in development or growth of mental illness (Chan, Chuen & McLoed, 2017). This is inhuman and against the purpose of prisons.

As a correctional facility, they should try to teach the inmates a lesson on why they are there, why their actions were wrong and how they can improve the situation. They should not create an environment that is vengeful and causes them trauma and mental disorders, as this disorients the prisoner and may escalate the problem when they re-integrate with the real world. Prisons should have their own therapy program, where the inmates can have access to psychological counseling to prevent the aftermath of mental illness which may include more criminal activities, inappropriate body functions of the victim and even death of the inmate.

There are various opposing views that argue that the treatment of prisoners does not matter in society. These arguments based on the fact that despite being humans, they are criminals and disserve to pay for their actions. The Canadian government also spends a lot of funds, i.e., $20 billion annually on the criminal justice system with the money allocated to maintain jails and prisons. In this case, the inmate's requirements are properly taken care-off in terms of food, clothing, housing, and educational programs. Moreover, they are there as a punishment for a crime hence do not deserve too much luxury while in jail.

While these may serve as arguments against the proper treatment of prisoners, they are not as weighty as those that support proper treatment. It is the responsibility of the Canadian government to provide for the prisoners just like it is doing for the general citizens. As much as the inmates are convicted of a crime, they should not be deprived of their fundamental rights to access good food and time for leisure. As a correctional facility, their aim should be to show the inmates the essence of peaceful living and not inflicting more pain and bitterness.

Conclusion

To conclude, the conditions and treatment in prison should not be additional punishment. The prison sentence is a sanction that holds the individual accountable for their actions and protects the society from them. It deprives the convict of their liberty and impacts some of their other rights such as the freedom of movement which is an inevitable consequence of imprisonment. However, the inmates retain their human rights and other fundamental freedoms. In reality, prisons often do not meet even the most basic standards with most prison staff considering harsh treatment as a legitimate way of dealing with the inmates. Prisoners who experience humane conditions will be more willing and able to respond to rehabilitation programs, which explains the main essence of a correctional facility. States bear the main obligation towards prisoners since they deprive them their liberty and assume the duty to take care. They also have to ensure that prisoners are treated in a humane manner, which includes providing them with adequate accommodation, food, and water, sanitation, healthcare, fresh air and exercise among others.

References

Barron, L. (2018). Here's why inmates in the U.S. prison system have launched a nationwide strike. Time.com. Retrieved from http://time.com/5374133/prison-strike-labor-conditions/

Chan, J., Chuen, L. and McLeod, M. (2017). Everything you were never taught about Canada's prison systems. Intersectional Analyst. Retrieved from http://www.intersectionalanalyst.com/intersectional-analyst/2017/7/20/everything-you-were-never-taught-about-canadas-prison-systems

Chartrand, V. (2018). Broken system: Why is a quarter of Canada's prison population Indigenous? The Conversation. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/broken-system-why-is-a-quarter-of-canadas-prison-population-indigenous-91562

"JohnHoward.Ca," (2017). The worrying state of Canadian prisons - The John Howard Society of Canada. The John Howard Society of Canada. Retrieved from http://johnhoward.ca/blog/worrying-state-canadian-prisons/

Thompson, H. (2017). What's hidden behind the walls of America's prison?. The Conversation. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/whats-hidden-behind-the-walls-of-americas-prisons-77282