Posted: February 23rd, 2022
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Learning Goal: I’m working on a writing question and need an explanation and answer to help me learn.(Macey Hale) is week’s prompt, we are asked to explain an ethical issue that is directly impacting the field of criminal justice. This discussion post will explain how the Sarat’s article (2020), “As the Coronavirus Rages in Prisons, Ethical Issues of Crime and Punishment become more Compelling”, brings forth awareness to another ethical issue in our correctional system, the treatment of incarcerated individuals. This article focuses on the recent coronavirus pandemic and deaths stemming from the ethical dilemma of prisoner treatment. Throughout the many incarceration facilities in the United States, coronavirus cases have increased rapidly (Sarat, 2020). As a result, the local governments are pressing state and federal government level to possibly release incarcerated inmates to reduce the spread of the coronavirus (Sarat, 2020). Other research statistics will be gathered from the article by Bersot and Arrigo (2011), “Ethical Issues in Prisoner Treatment, Offender Therapy, and Community Reentry”. This article focuses on the mental health, due process, and social welfare of the incarcerated society (Bersot & Arrigo, 2011). Looking into Sarat’s article, we are quickly made aware of the growing amount of incarcerated deaths related to the coronavirus disease. In New Jersey prison facilities alone, more than 100,000 inmates have been infected with coronavirus and 802 have died (Sarat, 2020). As result of the high rates of coronavirus spread, Governor Phil Murphy signed several cases for prisoners to be released, especially individuals more likely to die by complications (Sarat, 2020).
Further reading into the article, Sarat (2020) explains that overcrowding plays a major role in the spread of the disease and the rise of inmates’ deaths. While overcrowding has been the center of the public’s attention in correctional facilities, many over look other factors. Another major factor is the condition of such correctional facilities, such as deterioration and low-standards of prison cleaning (Sarat, 2020). Americans have adopted the idea that justice can only be retrieved through punishment, such as “an eye for an eye” saying. Yet some of the correctional facilities throughout the United States are in horrible conditions with little funding to renovate them. As a result of awareness into this issue, Sarat (2020) states that the condition and overcrowding of the prison should be included within the sentencing decision by the jury. Bersot and Arrigo (2011) states that dignity, human rights, and ethics should be given to those incarcerated and serving their sentences. As this is not a new problem, it has been an issue since the early 80s. In 1981, Justice Lewis Powell came forth and publicly stated that the conditions of a correctional facility should not add additional pain and suffering on top of the sentencing (Sarat, 2020). After coronavirus cases began spreading within the correctional facilities, the ethical issue of degrading prison conditions has brought awareness to the vulnerability of the incarcerated. Personally, I do believe that this is an ethical issue for those incarcerated, yet I also worry that releasing hardened criminals back into society will allow an influx of crime once more. On the other hand, I also believe that this is an example of an ethical issue because society is solely focused on vengeance and satisfaction from limiting the offender’s freedoms. So, what can be done regarding the ethical issue of poor prison conditions?
If I were a warden at a correctional facility with high numbers of coronavirus cases, I would first classify and separate prisoners depending on their susceptibility on catching the illness. Improving sanitation within the correctional facility could lower the cases of COVID (Sarat, 2020). My third attempt to lower overcrowding in prisons would be to speed up the process of releasing criminals with small, nonviolent crimes. Another possible attempt to counter the ethical issue would be to increase alternative sentencing and programs to allow inmates to earn back their liberties. While my solutions may not be able to reduce unethical treatment totally, it could strongly help better the lives of prisoners. Through this discussion, I am hoping to bring attention to the unethical treatment of the incarcerated. Although offenders should serve their sentences to the fullest, society cannot get solely focused on achieving satisfaction through the suffering of the convicted. Prisoners are under the care and protection of the correctional facility, therefore, society should regard inmates’ safety and health closely (Sarat, 2020). Respond to this persons discussion and it has to be no more than 110 words
Requirements: no more than 110 words
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