Though most prison advocates or those who have been affected by incarceration will lean toward rehabilitation and prisoner rights, those who have been affected by crime will lean toward deterrence and public safety. It is important to understand both perspectives and come to both humane and just conclusions when considering our prison system. There seems to be a myth that prisoners have it easy when given certain privileges that help them to cope with the time and grow as individuals during their stay. The reality is, if men and women are given no positive outlets the environment will harbor a sense of hopelessness and despair. The results of these environments are far from rehabilitative or humane.
The American criminal justice system is complex, and often, the media gives us a picture of the crimes and the punishments, but what happens after men and women are sentenced? It is at this point we no longer have access to what is happening in the system. The true nature of the system is ignored or unseen by the public and has become lawless and unethical in many ways.
Abraham Maslow, a renowned psychologist, proposed a theory known as the Hierarchy of Needs. We will explore how this theory can shed light on the needs of individuals behind bars. This theory categorizes human needs into a pyramid with five levels, each building upon the one below it. The levels are, from the base to the top:
1. Physiological Needs: The most fundamental needs include air, water, food, shelter, and sleep. Without these, survival is compromised.
2. Safety Needs: Once physiological needs are met, people seek safety and security. This includes physical safety, emotional security, and financial stability.
3. Love and Belongingness: Humans have a deep-seated need for social connections, friendships, and a sense of belonging within their community or family.
4. Esteem Needs: After fulfilling the previous levels, individuals seek self-esteem, recognition, and a sense of accomplishment.
5. Self-Actualization: At the pinnacle of the pyramid, people strive for self-actualization, which means realizing one’s full potential, pursuing personal growth, and achieving a sense of purpose.
The Needs of Prisoners:
Now, let’s draw parallels between Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and the needs of prisoners:
1. Physiological Needs:
Prisoners, exactly like anyone else, have needs that should never be overlooked – access to food, clean water, and adequate shelter. It's imperative to meet these needs not only for ethical reasons but also to safeguard their health and well-being. Regrettably, the reality within many correctional facilities paints a grim picture.
Substandard food can lead to health issues, which, in the long run, become an additional burden on taxpayers. Furthermore, this summer, an outcry has echoed throughout the prison system about unbearable heat within cells, resulting in multiple reports of tragic deaths. It's a stark reminder that we must assess and address the basic physiological requirements within prisons.
Are there national standards in place, and, more crucially, are these standards being met? These questions highlight a dire need for scrutiny and oversight within our correctional institutions.
2. Safety Needs:
Within the prison environment, safety is a paramount concern. Prisoners must be protected from harm, including violence from other inmates. Adequate security and a safe living environments are essential. Often times, due to a lack of staffing, these requirements are impossible for prisons to meet. This is also dangerous to the prison staff and the public when these standards aren’t met. Numerous prisons, particularly those in the Southeast region, are operating with a substantial shortfall in their staffing levels, falling significantly below their own established standards.
This issue is the underlying problem that causes many of the disturbances in prison. When there is no one to enforce the law, there is very little reason to obey. Much of the violence, health issues, mental health issues, and contraband would be significantly lower if the prisons were staffed properly. Adequate staffing would also allow the men and women in prison more access to programing and recreational opportunities.
3. Love and Belongingness:
Social isolation poses a formidable challenge for those behind bars. Nurturing connections with loved ones and cultivating positive relationships among inmates plays a pivotal role in preserving their emotional well-being.
Visitation is a lifeline for incarcerated individuals, vital for their mental health. It should remain a priority for correctional staff, benefiting not only those serving time, but also the families who long to maintain bonds during separation.
Incarcerated individuals also benefit greatly from religious services, education, and the presence of volunteers. They serve as gateways to a world beyond prison walls, preventing the perilous trap of institutionalization and offering a direct connection to the world outside. These elements must be central to our approach to incarceration, recognizing their transformative power.
4. Esteem Needs:
Prisoners have a great need for self-esteem and respect. Opportunities for education, skill development, and meaningful work can help boost their self-worth and prepare them for reintegration into society.
Offering diverse educational opportunities, including college degrees and career training, to incarcerated individuals can significantly enhance their chances of successful reintegration into society. Education equips prisoners with the knowledge and skills needed to secure gainful employment, reducing the likelihood of returning to a life of crime. It fosters personal growth and a sense of purpose, encouraging individuals to make positive contributions to their communities. Educated ex-prisoners are better positioned to break the cycle of recidivism, leading to safer neighborhoods and a more productive society overall. Investing in education within the prison system is a key strategy for reducing recidivism and promoting long-term rehabilitation.
One of the most glaring deficiencies within the American prison system is the common practice of offering prisoners either meager wages or no compensation for their labor. This practice not only undermines the fundamental belief that a fair day's work should yield fair pay, but also fuels a troubling cycle of criminal activity. It is crucial for society to recognize the intrinsic value of labor and its impact on personal dignity and rehabilitation. By providing prisoners with just compensation for their work, we can instill a sense of purpose and responsibility, ultimately fostering a more constructive path toward reintegration into society.
5. Self-Actualization:
The resources and opportunities afforded by the state should serve as a conduit for every incarcerated individual to embark on a journey of self-actualization. While we may occasionally hear inspiring stories of individuals who achieve personal growth despite the challenges of an oppressive system, we must not rely solely on such exceptions. To build a truly just system, it becomes imperative to provide prisoners with the essential tools they need to transcend their circumstances.
In the pursuit of justice, we must recognize that every person who enters the prison system deserves the opportunity to leave stronger, more resilient, and better equipped for life beyond those prison walls. These tools encompass not only education and vocational training but also access to mental health services, rehabilitation programs, and support networks. By affording prisoners the means to develop their potential and address the root causes of their involvement in the criminal justice system, we can break the cycle of recidivism and contribute to a society where individuals can reintegrate successfully, becoming productive and law-abiding citizens. Ultimately, the measure of a just system lies in its capacity to empower those within it to transform their lives positively, emerging from incarceration as better versions of themselves.
In contemplating the multifaceted world of the American prison system, we must remember that it encompasses not only punitive measures but also a profound responsibility to foster rehabilitation and prepare individuals for their eventual return to society.
It is an inescapable truth that prisoners are individuals deserving of humane treatment and the opportunity for personal growth.
By recognizing and addressing their physiological needs, ensuring their safety and well-being, nurturing social connections, offering opportunities for personal development, and providing a path to self-actualization, we lay the foundation for rehabilitation and a more just society.
The reality is that when prisoners are deprived of these fundamental necessities and the chance for positive outlets, a sense of hopelessness festers within the prison environment. This despair does not serve as a tool for reform but rather as a catalyst for further dysfunction. We must not forget that these individuals will one day return to our communities. Therefore, it is in our collective interest to offer them the tools to emerge from incarceration stronger, better prepared, and ready to contribute positively.
We should not perpetuate the stigmatization of prisoners upon their release. Instead, let us embrace the idea that those who have served their time can be reformed, rehabilitated, and reintegrated into society as valuable, law-abiding citizens. The time for transformation is now, and it starts with acknowledging the worth and potential for growth within every individual, even those who have found themselves behind bars.