Prison Policy Analytical Essay: Behind Bars

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Behind Bars Attorney Peter Wagner and senior policy analyst at Prison Policy Initiative have found there are 2.3 million people are being held in jail in the United States. There are countries in this world that do not even have a population of two million people. This mass number of people all have to be fed and clothed which is being paid for by taxpayer dollars. The amount of people this effects is greater than two million people. People being locked away in a jail cell affect their families, friends and loved ones. This may be one less income coming into a household which can lead to families struggling to make end meet. There are 2.7 million kids growing up without fathers and mothers in their lives(The Drug War). ⅔ of the parents that are arrested are arrested for nonviolent crimes(The Drug War). This could lead the child to follow in their parents’ footsteps down a life of crime. Without the moral support at home, kids could lose the sense of right and wrong and …show more content…
I am not saying we can see the future, but something can be done to prevent crimes from occurring. Working with our nation 's youth can help the future of our country. The kids who need the guidances are the ones in low income neighborhoods. They may not have the support or love at home that is needed to keep them out of the streets. Programs such as “Scared Straight” can show teens that this is not the life you want to be involved in. “Scared Straight” brings troubled teens into the prison system to show them there is nothing glamorous about prison. This program does not keep everyone in it out of the jailing system but it does work for many. If it changes the life of one it changes the lives of many. This may be one less fight that breaks out or even one less robbery that takes place. By helping those who are likely to fall into a life a of crime you help those who already do their part to contribute to

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