American Inmates

Many hard-working American citizens cannot afford medical, much less dental insurance. The same citizens would also like to attend a local workout center, watch movies every night, employ a person to prepare family meals, and avoid the stress and strain of paying bills; but, again, average citizens cannot afford this “life of leisure”. Although American prison inmates might attest to the idea of prison life being considered a “life of leisure”; the fact stands that the majority of America’s prison inmates have all the above at their disposal, plus much more. America’s need for a prison system is essential to getting crime off of the street; however, the variety of amenities and “freedoms” extended to those in prison is not only expensive but, unacceptable.

Several prison facilities have begun a process to strip jails and prisons of many amenities that are non-essential. Joe Arpaio, the sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona has become quite famous in corrections talk by housing inmates in tents, organizing chain gangs and making bologna a staple (Lacayo & Edwards, 1995). Arpaio stated, “I want to make this place so unpleasant that they won’t even think about doing something that could bring them back. I want them to suffer,” (Lacayo & Edwards, 1995). There have not been any reports as to a no-frills prison system deterring crime; although, the thought of convicted criminals having access to cable television, work-out equipment and band instruments when law-abiding citizens cannot afford those perks, calls for public outrage. Prison advocates and some federal judges believe that the lack of certain amenities would be a violation of prisoners’ constitutional rights against cruel and unusual punishment; but, politicians will not be stopped from trying to make prison life as cruel as the legal laws will allow (Lacayo & Edwards, 1995).

While many people feel that prison inmates are afforded too many amenities; the Commission on Safety and Abuse in America’s prisons is calling for a reformation of the prison system. According to a report by the commission, “Correctional facilities in the United States fail to provide proper safety, health care and living conditions for inmates,” (Cowdrey, 2006). The report shows the most serious problems with U.S. prisons include sub-standard medical care and violence. The commission would like Congress to fund a system for reporting prison health and safety. In having a uniform system; prison administrators would be held accountable for the prison’s health and safety downfalls (Cowdrey, 2006).

The health and safety of prison inmates is only the