Recidivism. A noun used to describe “the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend.” This has been a growing problem in the past couple of decades. Several ethical concerns rise as the US prison system goes through several changes and find ways to refine their system, but with change comes consequences. Prisons use workarounds in order to reduce costs which end up being entirely unethical. Prisons also have a lack of institutions that help prevent multiple incarcerations, prisons use prisoners for cheap labor, and prisons provide too much comforts for the inmates. All these topics spark discussions on the ethics of the prison system. Understanding these topics will allow for the prison system to have an ethical and fair environment. One
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This has sparked a series of debates due to its close relation to slavery as seen 150 years ago. Vicky Pelaez, a researcher from the Centre of Research on Globalization, states that “after the 1861-1865 Civil War, a system of ‘hiring out prisoners’ was introduced in order to continue the slavery tradition” (Peleaez). Moreover prisoners “once cleared by the prison doctor, can be forced to work under threat of punishment as severe as solitary confinement” (Benns). This resembles a clear comparison to the times of slavery and how minorities were abused if their work was not done. This led way to the rise of a great ethical conversation about the continuity of slavery within the United States and how although it could be economically beneficial it is an infringement on human rights. Several leaders of the United States fought against this and afterward the constitution was amended in order to prevent such from happening again. Furthermore, forced labor does not only have an affect on human rights but it deals with the ethics of the economics of major corporations. Prisoners are paid for the forced labor and rates can be as low as seventeen cents an hour to as a high as fifty cents an hour. Several businesses that helped privatize selected prisons “are excited about the economic boom generation by prison labor” (Peleaez). These businesses are seeing a growth of …show more content…
Sarah Knapton is a freelance journalist on the Guardian and was Chief District Reporter of the Newcastle Evening Chronicle states that “prison is so comfortable that inmates ignore opportunities for them to escape, the union that supports prison officers has claimed” (Knapton). Another example can be seen how, “Ethel Bradford teaches classes at a medium-security prison in Utah and was shocked when one of her students made the following statement: ‘If they ever put me out of here, within a week I’ll commit a crime that will force them to take me back.’”
This has sparked a series of debates due to its close relation to slavery as seen 150 years ago. Vicky Pelaez, a researcher from the Centre of Research on Globalization, states that “after the 1861-1865 Civil War, a system of ‘hiring out prisoners’ was introduced in order to continue the slavery tradition” (Peleaez). Moreover prisoners “once cleared by the prison doctor, can be forced to work under threat of punishment as severe as solitary confinement” (Benns). This resembles a clear comparison to the times of slavery and how minorities were abused if their work was not done. This led way to the rise of a great ethical conversation about the continuity of slavery within the United States and how although it could be economically beneficial it is an infringement on human rights. Several leaders of the United States fought against this and afterward the constitution was amended in order to prevent such from happening again. Furthermore, forced labor does not only have an affect on human rights but it deals with the ethics of the economics of major corporations. Prisoners are paid for the forced labor and rates can be as low as seventeen cents an hour to as a high as fifty cents an hour. Several businesses that helped privatize selected prisons “are excited about the economic boom generation by prison labor” (Peleaez). These businesses are seeing a growth of …show more content…
Sarah Knapton is a freelance journalist on the Guardian and was Chief District Reporter of the Newcastle Evening Chronicle states that “prison is so comfortable that inmates ignore opportunities for them to escape, the union that supports prison officers has claimed” (Knapton). Another example can be seen how, “Ethel Bradford teaches classes at a medium-security prison in Utah and was shocked when one of her students made the following statement: ‘If they ever put me out of here, within a week I’ll commit a crime that will force them to take me back.’”