A Word about Jails
Faith in the Public Square
Lompoc Record
June 8, 2008
During budget crises, politicians must make difficult choices, including what should be done about funding public safety services. Such a crisis currently faces the state, even as our county continues its long running debate over the need to build a new jail. Both the state and the country are faced with a prison system that lacks sufficient capacity to house the number of prisoners already in custody. When budget realities collide with insufficient capacity, the state faces the prospect of either setting prisoners free or cutting other important services - including education and health care.
As with any politically difficult issue, this one is complex. We understand the need for prisons to house those people who would pose a danger to society. But, ultimately the issue is much bigger than the need for more prisons and beds. The question is: Why is there such a need? It's true that the population in our nation and in our state continues to grow, which might explain the problem of increasing numbers of prisoners. However, crime rates have been on the decline for some time. Besides this, a more troubling question pertains to the fact that the percentage of Americans on probation, in jail, or in prison is higher than in any other developed nation.
In doing a bit of research on this issue, I discovered that in 2005 there were more than seven million Americans in jail, prison, or on parole. That's 3.2 percent of the U.S. population, and the numbers are steadily increasing. From 1995 to 2005, the rate of incarceration grew at an annual rate of 3.3 percent. California, by itself, has the third largest penal system in the world, and taken by itself the rest of the nation is in the top two.
Despite the fact that we've been building jails and prisons like mad, we just can't seem to keep up with the need. Indeed, the current bed capacity for California prisons stands at around 88,000, but the number of incarcerated persons is running at around 170,000 - that's 186.3 percent of their design capacity. While many prisoners are dangerous felons, significant numbers are there due to drug-related arrests (21 percent). Over the past quarter century, California's prison population has increased 554 percent, an increase partly explained by more mandatory and longer sentences, the three-strike law, and the rate of recidivism, especially among those jailed for drug-related offenses.
Like anyone, I'm concerned about public safety. And yes, there's a place for jails and prisons, at least as long as human beings are prone to violence and chicanery. Still, these numbers must be addressed, and in addressing them we must move beyond the idea that building more jails and prisons will solve the problem. Something must be done to address the underlying issues that have fed this problem.
Dr. Bob Cornwall is Pastor of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Lompoc (www.lompocdisciples.org). He blogs at http://pastorbobcornwall.blogspot.com and may be contacted at faithinthepublicsquare@gmail.com or c/o First Christian Church, P.O. Box 1056, Lompoc, CA 93438.
June 8, 2008
Lompoc Record
June 8, 2008
During budget crises, politicians must make difficult choices, including what should be done about funding public safety services. Such a crisis currently faces the state, even as our county continues its long running debate over the need to build a new jail. Both the state and the country are faced with a prison system that lacks sufficient capacity to house the number of prisoners already in custody. When budget realities collide with insufficient capacity, the state faces the prospect of either setting prisoners free or cutting other important services - including education and health care.
As with any politically difficult issue, this one is complex. We understand the need for prisons to house those people who would pose a danger to society. But, ultimately the issue is much bigger than the need for more prisons and beds. The question is: Why is there such a need? It's true that the population in our nation and in our state continues to grow, which might explain the problem of increasing numbers of prisoners. However, crime rates have been on the decline for some time. Besides this, a more troubling question pertains to the fact that the percentage of Americans on probation, in jail, or in prison is higher than in any other developed nation.
In doing a bit of research on this issue, I discovered that in 2005 there were more than seven million Americans in jail, prison, or on parole. That's 3.2 percent of the U.S. population, and the numbers are steadily increasing. From 1995 to 2005, the rate of incarceration grew at an annual rate of 3.3 percent. California, by itself, has the third largest penal system in the world, and taken by itself the rest of the nation is in the top two.
Despite the fact that we've been building jails and prisons like mad, we just can't seem to keep up with the need. Indeed, the current bed capacity for California prisons stands at around 88,000, but the number of incarcerated persons is running at around 170,000 - that's 186.3 percent of their design capacity. While many prisoners are dangerous felons, significant numbers are there due to drug-related arrests (21 percent). Over the past quarter century, California's prison population has increased 554 percent, an increase partly explained by more mandatory and longer sentences, the three-strike law, and the rate of recidivism, especially among those jailed for drug-related offenses.
All of these numbers are staggering, and they produce a significant drag on the state and federal budgets, because keeping people in prison isn't cheap. The State of California spends over $7 billion per year on its Department of Corrections, and while that number is much smaller than the $55 billion or so spent on the state's education budget, considering the numbers involved this number is very significant. The amount spent per prisoner is significantly higher than what is spent per pupil, and what we spend on the state's correctional system is ultimately money that could have been spent on what is an increasingly underfunded education system.
Like anyone, I'm concerned about public safety. And yes, there's a place for jails and prisons, at least as long as human beings are prone to violence and chicanery. Still, these numbers must be addressed, and in addressing them we must move beyond the idea that building more jails and prisons will solve the problem. Something must be done to address the underlying issues that have fed this problem.
As we consider a solution, I'm reminded that claiming the mantle of the Jewish prophet Isaiah (Luke 4:18), Jesus stated clearly that he came to set the prisoners free. In considering this statement of purpose, I believe that the solutions lie beyond beefing up the penal system. It lies in education and in jobs. It requires us to address matters of poverty and the growing problem of drug abuse in our state and nation. The answers to these kinds of questions won't be found in the incarceration of our fellow citizens.
Ultimately, the solution to this issue will be found within the community, in our willingness to work together to solve the underlying problems of society. Because having one of the largest penal systems in the world isn't anything to be proud of.
Ultimately, the solution to this issue will be found within the community, in our willingness to work together to solve the underlying problems of society. Because having one of the largest penal systems in the world isn't anything to be proud of.
Dr. Bob Cornwall is Pastor of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Lompoc (www.lompocdisciples.org). He blogs at http://pastorbobcornwall.blogspot.com and may be contacted at faithinthepublicsquare@gmail.com or c/o First Christian Church, P.O. Box 1056, Lompoc, CA 93438.
June 8, 2008
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