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Judicial System. Joshua Reaves. Prison System. A Statement of the Catholic Bishops of the United States.
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Judicial System Joshua Reaves Prison System
A Statement of the Catholic Bishops of the United States "We are still a long way from the time when our conscience can be certain of having done everything possible to prevent crime and to control it effectively so that it no longer does harm and, at the same time, to offer to those who commit crimes a way of redeeming themselves and making a positive return to society. If all those in some way involved in the problem tried to . . . develop this line of thought, perhaps humanity as a whole could take a great step forward in creating a more serene and peaceful society."Pope John Paul II, July 9, 2000
Quick Facts of the United States Prison System • The Prison population in the United States is more than 2.4 million • The United States has more prisoners than any other country in the world • Despite budget cuts housing inmates costs the country almost $600 billion a year
Quick Facts of the United States Prison System Cont. • Out of every 100,000 people, 734 are incarcerated • 4 out of 10 prisoners return to prison within three years of release
Cost of a Prison • It cost about $11,958,600 to build a prison • Federal prisons are paid by federal taxes • State, City and County jails are paid for by local taxes
Most Common Offences • Murder • Drugs • Theft • Prostitution • Fraud • Rape • Aggravated Assault • Under Age Drinking • Domestic Violence • Motor Vehicle Theft
Jail vs. Prison Jail Prison There are about 4,575 Prisons operating in the United States They are operated by the state or federal government Holds offenders convicted of serious crimes • There are about 3,600 jails in the United States • Commonly run by sheriff or local government • Hold offenders awaiting trial or have short sentences • Have work release programs, boot camps and specialized services
Prison Population • 2.4 adults are incarcerated in federal or state prison • 60% of incarcerated inmates are minorities • Two thirds of women in jail have minor children
Rehabilitation • Prisons main goal is to punish and rehabilitate inmates • The idea of rehabilitation is that a person who is in prison will never want to return to prison once he/she is released
Rehabilitation cont. Education Spiritual Prisons hire chaplains to supervise the spiritual needs of the inmates Inmates are allowed to practice any religion they choose • Helping obtain GED or high school diploma • Offer English as a second language • Inmates that take advantage of the educational options tend to reenter society and be successful
Rehabilitation cont. Work Programs Transaction Programs It prepares the inmate for release from prison It guides them to successful reentry into society It provides them with counseling, information for local resources and housing assistance • It gives the inmates structured work day • It allows them to practice positive team building skills • They receive pay which helps them fund living expenses behind bars
Catholic Perspective on the Justice System • Catholics holds offenders accountable and challenges them to change their lives • A Catholic approach to crime and criminal justice is a self contradicting. It doesn’t allow for crime and violence that threatened the lives and dignity of other people and it doesn’t give up on those that lost their way. • Catholics are challenged to become more involved in restoring communities to wholeness
Work Cited • http://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/rehabilitative-effects-of-imprisonment • http://www.reedconstructiondata.com/building-types/prisons/all/ • http://www.diffen.com/difference/Jail_vs_Prison • http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/ • http://insideragent.wordpress.com/2012/07/06/amazing-california-prison/ • http://www.bubblews.com/news/1391525-a-visit-to-prison • http://www.solarfeeds.com/top-50-college-student-eco-crimes/ • http://www.sentencingproject.org/template/page.cfm?id=122 • http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/today/index.ssf/2009/04/northampton_county_inmates_com.html • http://www.recovery.org/topics/find-a-top-spiritual-and-faith-based-rehab-center/ • http://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/nov/27/questions-emerge-prison-rehabilitation-proposals