Reforming America’s Prisons: A Path to Humane and Effective Solutions

America’s prison system has become counterproductive, excessively expensive, and unnecessarily violent.

There is a major issue with public perception of prisons. Many believe prison is solely for punishment, leading to indifference about the suffering of inmates. Our so-called correctional system is often seen as the lowest priority in law enforcement.

Can prisons be reformed? Absolutely, and it doesn’t need to cost nearly as much as we are currently spending.

First, let’s address prison violence. The individuals sent to prison are often some of the most violent people in our society, coming from various troubled backgrounds. Multiculturalism in prisons only exacerbates tensions, leading to beatings, rapes, and even murders. Segregating inmates by cultural or ethnic groups may not be a politically correct solution, but it would significantly reduce these violent conflicts. Doing so would make managing inmates easier, lower medical expenses for treating injured prisoners, and reduce workers’ compensation and disability payments resulting from staff injuries. This practical approach would make a difference in creating safer environments.

A significant portion of crime in America is fueled by narcotics addiction. The criminalization of drugs has led to vastly inflated prices, resulting in wealth for drug dealers, corruption among public officials, and a variety of related violent crimes. Drugs are not expensive to produce, but their illegal status makes them costly. Ending the drug enforcement policies that enable these black markets could put dealers out of business overnight. For those struggling with addiction, we should focus on providing meaningful treatment options—not as a way to avoid jail but to support those genuinely seeking freedom from addiction. Current programs almost always function as mere “get out of jail free” cards for people with no real intention of breaking their habits.

Another major issue is the lack of productive activities in prison. Inmates often have idle time, which contributes to further criminal behavior. These individuals will eventually re-enter society, and we have a choice: they can either become productive citizens or hardened criminals. Most prisoners receive little more than occasional vocational training, which does little to prepare them for life after release.

Everyone desires meaningful work that pays well and makes a difference, and inmates are no different. Many have talents that go unnoticed and undeveloped. The entertainment industry—whether as actors, singers, or comedians—does not require background checks. Yet few prisons cultivate these talents. Many inmates may possess great singing voices or comedic abilities, but they’ve never had the opportunity to explore them. Helping inmates develop their potential in these areas could open doors to a successful future.

Similarly, many renowned chefs began honing their culinary skills while incarcerated. The culinary arts are another field where background checks are less of an obstacle, and many former inmates have successfully opened their own restaurants. This is a true measure of rehabilitation and success.

Additionally, many inmates lead lives that are far from ordinary, which gives them a unique perspective. Some have turned this experience into a talent for writing. Who knows how many potential Ernest Hemingways are behind bars, waiting to be discovered?

In any event, the last person we ask about what training they would like to get is the inmate.  They may have their own great ideas that we should not ignore.

Technology has brought us a Zoom and Skype calls.  Prison inmates should be allowed liberal access so that they can communicate to loved ones and mentors.  Right now the correctional telephone systems are nothing less than a corruption cabal and accordingly their families pay exorbitant and prohibitive amounts of money on those calls.

Respect is key to transforming prison culture. Inmates are rarely addressed with the basic dignity of being called “Mr.” or “Ms.” A foundation of mutual respect between staff and inmates—starting with proper greetings—could help foster empathy and kindness. Many inmates never experienced the positive influences of good parenting. Teaching respect, tolerance, and kindness in prisons would be one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce violence.

Only after inmates learn these core values of respect and empathy can multiculturalism be considered. In the meantime, segregating inmates to reduce violence is a necessary first step.