Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
One Woodrow Wilson Plaza, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20004-3027
T 202/691-4000
Beyond the Prison Bubble
For decades, America’s chief answer to crime has been to put more criminals behind bars for longer. That expensive strategy is yielding diminishing returns. It’s time for a closer look at ways of helping ex-offenders steer away from crime.
The announcement last summer that in 2009 the number of Americans behind bars had increased for the 37th year in a row provoked a fresh round of national soul-searching. With its prisons and jails now holding some 2.4 million inmates—roughly one in every 100 adults—the United States has the highest incarceration rate of any free nation. As a proportion of its population, the United States incarcerates five times more people than Britain, nine times more than Germany, and 12 times more than Japan. “No other rich country is nearly as punitive as the Land of the Free,” The Economist has declared.
To read the rest of this article, please consider becoming a WQ subscriber, which allows online access to the current WQ issue as well as archive content. Other access options are below.
Research, browse, and discover more than 35 years of articles, essays, and reviews by preeminent scholars and writers. Our searchable archive of back issues is free for WQ subscribers.
 |
 |
 |
Subscribe today
to the WQ Online
and receive immediate access
to the WQ archive for a full year.
Subscribe Now
-
Joan Petersilia is the Adelbert H. Sweet Professor of Law at Stanford University and codirector of the Stanford Criminal Justice Center. She is the author of several books, including When Prisoners Come Home: Parole and Prisoner Reentry (2003), recently reissued in paperback, and she is coeditor of the new book Crime and Public Policy.
more from this author >>
Rethinking the Great Recession
In embracing a victims-and-villains explanation of the recession, Americans are missing important lessons about the future of the U.S. economy.Indonesia's Moment
It is the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation and a highly successful democracy. How did Indonesia do it?What Is a Tree Worth?
Trees brighten city streets and delight nature-starved urbanites. Now scientists are learning that they also play a crucial role in the green infrastructure of America’s cities.
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and in no way represent the views or opinions of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. This section is moderated by Wilson Quarterly staff.
Freedom
I had lunch with a Chinese Client and her U.S. husband. She conducts business in China and United States. I asked her "How do you like it here?" "Oh", she said, "I'm Scared to death here". I asked, "Of what the crime"? She replied, " No, of the government, everything here is against the law, things are much more free in China". She is a university graduate with an advanced degree and her husband is a Manhattan Lawyer. Needless to say I was dumbfounded with that reply from a very experienced, educated and knowledgable person. I am not making this up, it actually happened. This observation may shed some light on a high incarceration rate. Oracle of Dogpatch
Posted by: dogpatch | 1/12/11
Prison Reform
We should also study Britain and other countries with similar value systems to see what is working for them, and incorporate what is consistent with our values. Why don't we change the penalties for the use of drugs. Use public shame by posting pictures in the newspapers for those 18years of age and above, and prohibit their employment in certain industries until they complete rehab and have 3 years of a clean record. I would think that starting with prison for non violent offenders is the wrong first step, since we can now monitor them electronically. Why not start with the electronic monitoring and co-ordinated support and mentoring. I think the support system itself needs to be accredited, and it definitely needs a religious component. If that fails then, unless clinically determined to be mentally unstable, send repeat non violent offenders to bootcamps with the incentive of wiping their record clean if they return and co-operate with the initial support rehab arrangement. If they go to prison, then, with few exceptions they should serve their full term. Support should be still available to them after their incarceration.
Posted by: Don Mackowski | 1/20/11
Crime
Its insane to think disenfranchising people from the work force is an option for punishment. I agree that offenses that are distinct to an industry could validate such punishment; however, non- violent ex-cons are continuously punished after their sentenced time because felons can't get meaningful employment. Not only does this violate the 8th Amendment it lacks intellectual judgment and creates economic burdens that out weigh the societal cost of most non- violent crimes.
Posted by: ideacanon | 2/26/11