United States Prison System

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The Impact of the United States Prison System Olivia Catrambone Williamstown High School ELA Honors II Mr. Kuhn May 17, 2024

Abstract The prison system in the United States has had a deep impact on those who are imprisoned, particularly when it comes to their mental health. To begin, death row is a sentencing method in which a prisoner must serve time living in a cell with little to no human interaction while they await the death penalty. This is seen as a harsh sentence that places an individual into a prolonged state of uncertainty and fear. Similarly, life imprisonment is a sentence that entails an inmate having to live in prison for the rest of their natural life. The loss of hope for a future outside of prison can result in …show more content…
This lack of social interaction combined with having to spend time in a small cell leads to psychological consequences. To reiterate, the U.S. prison system’s sentencing methods have been found to negatively affect prisoners’ well-being, as well as provide no assistance in properly rehabilitating criminals to allow them back into society.

The Impact of the United States Prison System

The United States has the largest prison population in the world. With over two million people currently incarcerated in the U.S. alone, it is crucial to examine the consequences of incarceration on an individual and the general effectiveness of the justice system. This staggering number reflects a complex history of criminal justice policies, often driven by a focus on punishment rather than rehabilitation. The use of capital punishment, solitary confinement, and life sentences has been a cornerstone of this system, despite ongoing debates about their effectiveness and ethical implications. In Bryan Stevenson’s book, Just Mercy, he explains his experiences with being a lawyer and working with these prisoners. In the novel he reveals, "My short …show more content…
The following year, the American Correctional Association issued guidelines limiting solitary confinement for several groups, including prisoners with serious mental illness, who constitute a substantial minority of inmates” (Easing the torture, 2018). Each state has its own prison systems and policies, making sentencing different from state to state. While many states are moving away from solitary confinement, some states are increasing its usage, causing this issue to become more widespread. "In Texas, more than 2,100 inmates have been locked away for more than three years; of those, more than 1,300 have been in solitary confinement for more than six years." Indiana, New Jersey and Pennsylvania also lock prisoners away for years at a time with jaw-dropping frequency" (Easing the torture, 2018). Although some
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