Summary: This article explains the high incarceration rate in America and how is differs from other countries such as China, Russia, Europe, etc. It gives examples of the percentage of convicted males in the past years. Stating that the reason it has gone up, and the reason the U.S. has the highest statistics, is because America has a very high criminal and homicide rate. The article also talks about how the inmates are convicted and the time they have to face. Explaining the requirements one must have to get out early, that it might possibly be racial discrimination. Also, that rehabilitation used to be something offered but studies show that it might not even be affective.
Citation: “A Stigma That Never Fades.” The Economist. 18 Aug, 2002. Web. 8 Feb, 2011. http://www.economist.com/node/1270755?story_id=1270755
Quote: "A survey of Californian inmates found that half were functionally illiterate. Prison could fix some of those social disadvantages; usually it does not. So the typical inmate is released from prison with all the problems he went in with—plus a prison record that makes finding a job or a place to live even harder."
Reflection: I picked this quote because I feel very strongly against it. I don't think when you are convicted of a crime, and are sent to prison, you should be given a hot meal and education and a pat on the back. What you did should not be fixed by my tax dollars that are going to your education; when I am trying to get my own that I am spending thousands of dollars a year for.
They chose to go down the wrong path in their earlier years. That is their problem they wound up in that situation in the first place. You are the only one who can control your actions, and if you chose to do the wrong thing you deserve to be punished. Not sent to prison to be educated and expect to get out and have a new life handed to you. Also, even if they were educated those who are getting out are just going to finish what they started or continue what they did before, and for that 1% who want to change their lives around can go back to school. That is one amazing thing about America, is we have plenty of opportunities to turn our lives around. One just has to want to do that.
You have a very passionate response. If we, as a state, anticipate our prison enrollments based on the number of third graders not reading at grade level, then it seems we intuitively understand that a lack of basic education leads to a life of crime. The logic then suggests that education helps to deter anyone from turning to a life of crime. Maybe... money spent on anyone's education stands to benefit society as whole. Just a thought :).
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