ABSTRACT
Although many states have increasingly turned to alternative punishments, incarceration remains the “backbone” of American corrections. Crowding and privatization of incarceration illustrate the open system nature of criminal justice. The “war on drugs” and “truth in sentencing” have placed increasing demands on prisons. Concerns have arisen about the ability to pay the costs of incarceration and the risks posed to the public by diverting offenders from prison because of a lack of space. Prison industries and violence in correctional institutions help focus attention on the people involved in incarceration, and the conflict between individual rights and the requirements of society. Many prison inmates have special needs that must be cared for. Thus, prisons and jails are increasingly tasked with providing medical, mental health, and substance abuse treatment to inmates. Conflict often occurs between cost considerations, the institution’s security concerns, and the need to provide such treatment.
