The prison population has grown significantly over the last decade, and new correctional facilities are being built continually. Unfortunately, state, local, and federal budgets have not kept up with the increasing expense of incarceration.
Prisons are often overcrowded and understaffed.
Many are located in outdated buildings with faulty plumbing, poor heating, inadequate ventilation, and no air conditioning. Understandably, the comfort and welfare of criminals is not high on the priority list of most tax payers. Nevertheless, the mixture of hot or frigid weather combined with volatile temperaments, understaffing, and lack of space can create a recipe for disaster. This has often resulted in riots, hostage taking, mutilation, and murder. It can also lead to a situation where inmates escape into the community.