Surviving Prison in the US: A Decade of Change - Research Paper

Introduction

When one is sent to prison in the United States there is some unique eventuality that one has to face and in order to survive one has to adapt to survive the experience. The challenges e.g. to survive and reintegration the prisoners used to face a decade ago and what they are currently facing now is totally different. The cause of this disparity can be traced to the strict federal laws and policies which have led to an increased rate of people being incarcerated. As a result, the population in the prison system has grown exponentially (Bierie & Mann, 2017). These means the facilities are overstretched. Consequently, the conditions of confinement are inhuman and can affect an individual psychologically. Many state prisons have been sued for not providing a habitable environment. The prison system main objective is to rehabilitate an individual so that he can be reintegrated back to society. Currently, the prison system serves more as a way of punishing wrongdoers than rehabilitating them. As such prisoners are affected psychologically. There are not enough support services to help prisoners transition from the prison set up to the free world leading to psychological strains even after completing their sentences.

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The Psychological Effects of Imprisonment

Adapting to a prison setting can be difficult leading to one to act erratically for a period of time before adjusting. How people are affected psychologically varies from one individual to the other. The following are some of the effects; Firstly, one becomes used to the prison structure thus becoming dependent on it (Bierie & Mann, 2017). They can no longer be self-sufficient once released to the free world. Secondly, the prisoners become hypervigilant and always suspicious like something bad is bound to happen anytime. Such behaviour can affect how one interacts with other people leading to alienation and consequently one becomes emotionless. At the same time, these people will find it hard to maintain a romantic relationship. Other prisoners find solace by isolating themselves from the world. They become withdrawn and keep a lot to themselves. If not checked this can lead to clinical depression. With the increased number of people in prisons, personal space becomes a problem. There is no privacy and it can lead to a diminished sense of self-worth ("Standards for Psychology Services in Jails, Prisons, Correctional Facilities, and Agencies", 2010).

Current Policy and Ways to Reduce Effects of Psychology of Imprisonment

It is critical for us to alleviate the effects of incarceration on to an individual and the pragmatic approach is to look at the current prison policies of confinement. Afterwards, we look at how we can provide social services to a person who has been adversely affected psychologically by the prison system.

Prison State and Policies

The notion that prisoners during custodial sentence should be subjected to further pain should be done away with. The objective of the prison system should be to rehabilitate an individual and not to make him suffer. Secondly, one day some prisoners will be released and it is paramount that the system allows some room for autonomy so that an inmate can be self-sufficient when released. It is critical for an inmate to interact fully with the outside world. This way, the integration will be much easier. As such policies that encourage more visitation should be encouraged. Any form of harsh punishment like isolation should be done away with as they can affect one psychologically.

National Services to help Prepare Prisoners for Release

It is essential for the prison system to introduce programs to inmates who are almost released to acclimatize with before they are released to the free world. This will make their integration smooth. An example is an inmate who was incarcerated in a period where certain technologies were not present at the time. Such technologies might shock an inmate and he would feel safer back in prison where they do not exist. The procedure for releasing a prisoner should start early enough. The prisoner should be equipped with vocational training and assisted to get employment before being released. Some prisoners were parents before being incarcerated and should be guided on how they should interact with their children before being released (De Claire & Dixon, 2016). Those who are psychologically affected by imprisonment should seek counselling and evaluated regularly before being released. Lastly, a prisoner who was in solitary confinement should not be released directly to the free world. He should be given time to recuperate and evaluated to see if there have been any side effects.

Programs that Help and Maintain Integration to the Community

People should know that individuals who return from prisons have very many challenges and they cannot conquer them alone. The community plays a key part in their integration. The nature of the services and support offered by the community play an important in determining the success of the release and stop recidivism. More resources should be put in place in the community. Probation should not be used as a tool to oppress the freed prisoners. They should be used to further help in the integration process. Parole revocation should come after all the community-based interventions have been fully exploited.

Conclusion

The key objective of the prison system is to rehabilitate law offenders and not punish them. As such the conditions inside the prisons should be conducive to offer that. The psychology of imprisonment and its effects can be reduced if the correct measures are implemented.

References

Bierie, D., & Mann, R. (2017). The history and future of prison psychology. Psychology, Public Policy, And Law, 23(4), 478-489. Doi: 10.1037/law0000143

Blumstein, A. (2011). Approaches to reducing both imprisonment and crime. Criminology & Public Policy, 10(1), 93-102. Doi: 10.1111/j.1745-9133.2010.00694.x

Collins, E., & Lennings, C. (2013). Coming of Age: Legal and Psychological Implications Related to Juvenile Vulnerability and Incarceration. Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, 20(6), 824-833. Doi: 10.108

De Claire, K., & Dixon, L. (2016). The Effects of Prison Visits from Family Members on Prisoners' Well-Being, Prison Rule Breaking, and Recidivism. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 18(2), 185-199. Doi: 10.1177/1524838015603209 0/13218719.2012.739935

Standards for Psychology Services in Jails, Prisons, Correctional Facilities, and Agencies. (2010). Criminal Justice and Behavior, 37(7), 749-808. Doi: 10.1177/0093854810368253