The average American is looking for tougher and stronger policies against criminals and crime. What Americans need to understand, however, is that if our criminals are abused unfairly while incarcerated, the problem is actually being made worse. Prison needs to be a rehabilitating environment, not one of suffering and abuse. Prison guards don't care because the public doesn't care. Guards need to take a more active role in preventing prison gangs, rape, violence and drug use-all of which run rampant.
More emphasis needs to be placed on counseling and educational programs.
To do this, a radical shift needs to occur in the public's mind about the role of prisons in society. It is a common expression that a country can be judged by examining the quality of its prisons. Well, if one were to examine the quality of our prisons, it is safe to say that our country would be seen as a lawless, inhumane society-one which cares little about rehabilitation or improvement. If Americans truly want a safer and better world, the first step is to eliminate injustice-not just injustice in society, but also in America's prisons. All contents of this site are 2000-2001 by the New University Newspaper.