As we have learned, between the years 1980 and 2007, the prison population in the United States grew at an unprecedented rate. In the
last few years there has been a slow decline, but remedying the problem of our overcrowded system will take time. Corrections officials
and policy makers must continue to manage a system that is overburdened and costly. Challenges abound in maintaining the delicate
balance between the needs of incarcerated people and the safety of the community. This includes conflicting goals and budgetary issues.
Increasingly, corrections officials are tasked with "doing more for less," as budgets are slashed for a system that remains overcrowded. As
a result, administrators must weigh the costs and benefits of each decision they make.
You are the jail administrator for a facility that has a housing capacity of 400 individuals. You were appointed to this position by
the sheriff, who is up for reelection later this year. According to state law, a jail that houses fewer than 500 individuals is
considered at capacity when it is 90% full. According to county policy, any time the general prison population exceeds or
threatens to exceed capacity for seven consecutive days, the population must be reviewed for candidates for early release.
Over the last fiscal year, the jail has regularly been at or over capacity. The overcrowding at the jail is seen as a problem by both
citizens and local politicians. Citizens worry that the regular early release of individuals from the jail puts their safety at risk. This
is a concern for elected officials as well, as they are also critical of the expanding corrections budget. Because it is an election
year, the sheriff has a keen interest in getting the situation under control so that it does not have a negative impact on his
prospects for reelection.
Let's review a few concepts before you make a decision about this scenario.
Corrections activities make sense to the public when they__________.