ROOT ISSUE
What started it all?
Based on the 2018 prison policy initiative there is on average 11 million people in the incarceration system worldwide. The largest issue facing prisons around the world is overcrowding and because of that they running out of resources to give basic healthcare which stated by the UN is a human right.
The video above shows some of the shocking conditions prisoners live in due to overcrowding and how it is a precursor for physical injury and mental illness.
As seen in the video overcrowding is causing inhumane conditions regardless that they are prisoners. I believe this could all be solved through one change: and that is mental health in prisons.
SOLUTION
How can overcrowding in prisons be solved?
As stated above, overcrowding is causing inhumane conditions regardless that they are prisoners. I believe this could all be solved through one change: and that is mental healthcare in prisons.
The reason I believe this is the solution, is due to this common cycle most prisoners fall into (seen below) and that is:
Firstly most high-level criminals have mental health illnesses
Then the systems in place are not developed enough to manage the number of people during admittance and after release
So this reverts them back to their old ways, Commit another crime
Bringing them back into the system and creating overcrowding
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What I found through all my research looking into the US and other countries is smaller systems are more effective. This can be seen on the other tabs of Kenya and Norway and how they have used smaller systems to their advantage. Smaller systems allow for less chaos and more focus on care and the person as a whole. There was a woman named Mimi from the book Dig Where You Are written by Nan Doyal, Mimi took high-level criminals and used a system similar to a hull house by treating them like actual human beings. Prison is incredibly dehumanizing and lonely which can further mental illness. Smaller systems would create a rehabilitation community and fewer people means more resources and better access to care.
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This is only one perceptive of complex issues in prison systems around the world but I would propose that to solve overcrowding and healthcare I would build smaller prisons and as a result, not only would it be better conditions and easier access to care, but it creates a rehabilitation community, reducing the chances of repeat crimes. Furthermore, it would actually reduce costs in the long run, as fewer criminals would be circulating through the system.
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