1. THE PRISON
SYSTEM
Kettyl Amoakon & Krystal Cochran
2. ARE YOU A TAX PAYER?
If so, do you know where
part of your taxes are going?
THE STATE PRISON SYSTEM
3. GENERAL INFORMATION
░ It costs $33,000 + plus a year per inmate in the state prison system to take
care of him/her. (Food, clothing, housing etc.)
░ It costs the state $ 500 million per year just for mental health medications
for inmates across the state.
░ When an inmates’ relative dies anywhere in the state they have the right to
go to the funeral and the state has to provide transportation, food for the
inmate, officers to escort him/her, and hotel expenses for the officers to
stay over until the services the next day.
Total cost: $1,100 just for one funeral trip.
5. MEDICAL CARE
░ All inmates receive medical, dental and mental health care during their
incarcerations. Those who have chronic or acute medical conditions or
diseases may be transferred to another prison that has the appropriate
medical equipment. If this cannot be done because of security reasons,
ambulatory care and the equipment necessary will be transported to the
prison where the inmate is housed. Along with that, substance abuse
treatment is also provided.
░ Aside from treatment, inmates also receive health education to prevent the
spread of infectious diseases and take care of existing conditions, such as
diabetes or heart disease. Prisons emphasize that inmates have healthy diets
and special needs might be met for inmates with health issues that require
diet modifications.
6. EDUCATION
░ In most prisons, prisoners have access to an education through a General
Education Development (GED) diploma, English as a Second Language
(ESL) and literacy tests. Some prisons even offer training programs for
inmates. Some of the training options include preparation of electrical
work, plumbing, horticulture, culinary arts, dog handling, or dental
assistance.
░ Libraries are also commonly found in prisons. They carry a variety of
magazines, books, and newspapers. A legal reference section is available so
inmates can research and work on their own defense and legal documents
(if necessary). Some prisons offer parenting services and classes, along
with access to college-level classes.
7. RELEASE PREPARATION
░ According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons website, preparing inmates for
their release and reintegration into society is key to helping them succeed
outside prison. Programs may vary according to their location and budget.
These programs can include resume preparation, job training, education
certificates, release clothing, and contact with community-based
organizations that help released inmates reintegrate into society.
8. ALONG WITH THAT…
░ Inmates get three square meals a day.
░ Inmates get special meals on holidays.
░ Prison yards have flat screen TVs.
░ Inmates get trailer visits.
░ And much more…
11. HERE ARE THE FACTS
░ In California tax payers pay approx. $90,000 more per death
row prisoner a year than on prisoners in a regular confinement.
░ There are almost 2 million prisoners in the U.S. today.
░ The U.S. spent $44 billion in tax dollars to pay for prisons.
This amount has tripled since 1987.
12. OUR SCHOOLS VS. PRISON
░ 75% of imprisonment spending comes from the state level where money is
taken from the same pot that grade school, colleges, and universities rely
on.
░ 73% of grade schools budgets come from this pot of money and 50% of
colleges budget also comes from the same pot of money. With the focus
being so much on prison it leaves very little for learning institutions.
14. WOW!!!
░ Approximately 2 out of every 3 people released from prison in
the U.S. are rearrested within 3 years of their release.
░ The number of people released from prison has increased 350%
over the last 20 years.
15. CRIME & LIFE
░ The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that only 46 percent of incarcerated individuals
have a high school diploma compared to 82 percent of men aged 18 to 34.
░ About one in six jail inmates reports that he/she dropped out of school because he/she
was convicted of a crime, was sent to a correctional facility, or was involved in an illegal
activities.
░ About two-thirds of people in prison and jail were employed—either full or part-time
during the month before they were arrested for their current offense.
░ Nearly half of those leaving jail were earning less than $600 per month immediately
prior to their incarceration.
░ Recent studies have found that participation in prison education, job training, and
placement programs is associated with improved outcomes, including reduced
recidivism.
17. THE FACTS
░ In 2011 the California overcrowding issue was so bad that it violated the
inmates 8th amendment ban on cruel and unusual punishment
░ The supreme court ordered the state to reduce its prison population by
30,000 inmates.
░ Overcrowding causes many issues such as: stress on staff, dangerous health
conditions, violation of rights, and more aggressive behavior from inmates.
Not to mention the rape rate and murder rate within the prisons can
increase as well.