The decisions we make, the paths we follow, the options we choose - will combine to map the future of corrections. Outside forces also shape our future. News of crime, especially as portrayed on television, has brought a sense of immediacy and danger into our living rooms.
American citizens list the fear of crime as an overriding concern in their lives.
In many jurisdictions, indefinite sentences and the hope of parole for many have been curtailed or eliminated. As a result, our prison populations will continue to grow, inexorably consuming more and more resources. It is conceivable that a taxpayer backlash will ensue, with a demand for more prudent uses of expensive prison beds. If, indeed, community sanctions are imposed on non-violent offenders, prisons will increasingly become repositories for the more violent, predatory and remorseless criminals. A greater concentration of violent offenders may create more tension among inmates and between inmates and staff.