The Downsizing of Jails and Prisons and Public Safety

Reducing the number of American prisons and their population has become a subject of debate. Proponents of this idea are skeptical of its viability because of the failure of reforms that have been previously implemented to de-incarcerate the country. These failures are a crucial reminder that although one may implement policies with good intentions, the results could have adverse consequences. However, some optimists believe in mass incarceration's waning legitimacy, which has resulted in efforts to close various state prisons and reduce the inmate population. Therefore, besides progressive values, downsizing reforms must rely on evidence-based knowledge about corrections and address the practical issues that can impede positive results to ensure effective policy interventions.

Research Question

This analysis will use the California Realignment Act as a case study for the effects of the downsizing of prisons on public safety. This Act substantially reduced the prison population by delegating particular offenders' responsibility to local jurisdictions. It also resulted in one of the most significant prison reforms in the American incarceration policy. Nonetheless, proponents of prison downsizing are concerned about the effects of prison downsizing on public safety (Grattet & Bird, 2018). Reducing the number of incarcerated people might weaken the effects of incapacitation and diminish punishment's deterrent effects by reducing the severity and probability of punishment (Lerman & Mooney, 2021). However, advocates of this intervention claim there are safe ways that prison downsizing can be implemented, improving public safety. Proponents of this view believe prisons may weaken legitimate opportunities and prosocial ties at worst hence increasing crime rates, and are marginally effective at best (Grattet & Bird, 2018). Investing the saved costs from downsizing in scientifically feasible strategies to prevent offending and lower recidivism through effective policies and social programs will reduce crime and imprisonment (Grattet & Bird, 2018). Therefore, this paper's research question is: Do downsizing prisons and jails impact crime rates and, as a result, public safety?

Significance of the Topic

After decades of tough-on-crime policies, there has been a steady increase in the state prison population. Various states face overcrowding and lawsuits due to inadequate mental and medical health care for the inmates (MacDonald, 2018). The topic also raises concerns about the effects of prison downsizing on public safety regarding an increase or decrease in crime rates (Grattet & Bird, 2018). Nonetheless, downsizing could also result in saved revenue, as prisons cost taxpayers 80 billion dollars annually (Lockwood & Lewis, 2019). Due to cost savings associated with prison population reduction and the effects of the intervention on public safety, this topic is significant.

Measurability of the Research Question

The various points in the research question are measurable. First, downsizing can be measured through the number of closed prisons in each state during the downsizing efforts. Additionally, these can be expressed as a percentage of the total number of prisons in the state or country. The number of incarcerations before and after implementing the intervention is also measurable; hence one can identify the reduced rate of incarcerations and classify them by race. Additionally, crime rates are also measurable through the police reporting systems. Comparing crime rates before and after the intervention can determine the changes in crime rates due to the intervention. Increased crime rates indicate compromised public safety; hence the information from the research will be valuable to policymakers.

Research Variables

The independent variable is the reduction of prison populations, while the dependent variable is the percentage change in crime rates. As prison populations are reduced, the research will analyze its effects on crime rates in the respective region.

References

Grattet, & Bird. (2018). Next steps in jail and prison downsizing. Criminology and Public Policy, 17, 717. https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/crpp17&div=53&id=&page=

Lerman, A. E., & Mooney, A. C. (2021). The downside of downsizing: Persistence of racial disparities following state prison reform. Punishment & Society, 24(4), 667–691. https://doi.org/10.1177/14624745211006039

Lockwood, B., & Lewis, N. (2019, December 17). The hidden cost of incarceration. The Marshall Project. https://www.themarshallproject.org/2019/12/17/the-hidden-cost-of-incarceration

MacDonald, M. (2018). Overcrowding and its impact on prison conditions and health. International Journal of Prisoner Health, 14(2), 65–68. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijph-04-2018-0014