| Popis: |
The United States has 5% of the world’s population, but 25% of all prisoners. At any given time, more than 7 million Americans are under the control of the criminal justice system. The U.S. national incarceration rate is the highest in the world—almost 750 per 100,000 people. The operation of private “for-profit” prisons has become a significant feature of the U.S. correctional system. This chapter describes how social injustice affects the health of incarcerated people and their families. In addition, it addresses the root and underlying issues related to the high incarceration rate in the United States. The chapter addresses what needs to be done, including reducing incarceration for nonviolent offenders, improving community services, improving prison health services, reforming drug laws, providing assistance to family members, and enabling former prisoners to vote. A text box addresses political prisoners in other countries. |
