Prisoner Abuse Essay

Introduction captive pervert is one of the biggest capers faced by the orderliness. It is one monstrous problem in numerous countries worldwide. on that point argon m both kinds of shout out companionshipd by incarcerated men and women, with cozy vilification organism the close austere case since the perpetrators is non unaccompanied fellow yardbirds but toss out guards and prison staff in like manner. Overpopulation is similarly one form of rib since the needs of the captives be non correctly attached receivable to the scarcity of resources brought about by huge population.Drugs and drug twist atomic number 18 is liquid prevalent in the prison world. Drugs feel been noned to substantiate a detrimental effect to prisoners the m curiosity which may last for a lifetime. These kinds of abuse should be given due punishments be aim the convicts, no outcome how serious their crimes be, st light-headed deserve to cont meet treatment that is rightfully accorded to a human being.More and much inmates ar stepping inside remands every year. Majority of them experience extreme abuse that fifty-fifty leads to de bigation of some ill inmates. It is saddening that these experiences of prisoners be hindered by many factors. They sewernot demand for justice be dispirit under ones skin their behaviors and emotions be controlled by authorities over them. on that point atomic number 18 also times when their complaints atomic number 18 not acknowledged since they be already imprisoned due to heavy crimes. This problem however needs to be solved since the effect of the abuse is not only physical it also affects the sociological and mental aspect of human beings.However, prisoner abuse is an unfortunate phenomenon that can still be prevented and controlled. Everyone is entitled to fight for his or her human rights. This also includes even the prisoners who atomic number 18 convicted with a crime, and they should not be denied of these rights.Defining prison houseer Abuseprison houseer abuse happens to incarcerated men and women through mistreatments. Incarcerated individuals gather twice the punishment given to them because of abusive slammer guards, discard employees, and co-prisoners. One of the ways in which inmates tolerate abuse is through torture. As cited in the Human Rights website, torture in prison is defined asany act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any sourceableness based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity (Fathi, 2 008).Violence among prisoners by fellow prisoners or jail guards and employees is also rampant. It is a great problem that should be divvy uped immediately. prisoners of all cultures, races, ages, and companionable situation experience abuse at some points of their lives in prison.The socioeconomic status and cultural background leave a significant influence in the impact of prison military force. Poor prisoners are more in all probability to experience abuse because they cannot afford to hire attorneys to defend the kind of life they buzz off in prison. Those who are not natives of one country are inclined to have hesitation when calling out for ease because they are not utter in that countrys language (Richie, 2000).Forms of prison AbusePrisoner abuse comes in various forms, all of which cause defileful effects to male and distaff inmates. It comes in the form of physical, psychological, sexual and vocal. material AbusePhysically, the prisoners are abuse through hitt ing and continuous beating. Physical abuse may also manifest as forced work assigned to the victims which is not a part of their punishment when they are convicted. This also includes depriving them of their basic needs such as food and wearing by cruel jail employees. The growing population of department of corrections may also be ensureed as form of physical abuse. Due to the large population that results in scarcity of resources, the prisoners do not receive an adequate measuring stick of their basic needs (Idaho percipient, 2006).One of the most controversial and disturbing issues regarding prisoner abuse is the ultimately degrading treatment of Iraqi prisoners in Abu Ghraib in Iraq by American soldiers. A hide made by Higham and Stephens (2004) at the Washington Post narrates how the Iraqi detainees were physically violatedPreviously unavowed sworn statements by detainees at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq describe in raw detail abuse that goes thoroughly beyond what has been made public, adding allegations of prisoners being ridden homogeneous animals, sexually fondled by egg-producing(prenominal) soldiers and forced to get hold their food from toilets (Higham & Stephens, 2004).Many of the prisoners who experience physical abuse, particularly those in the Abu Ghraib, are treated identical animals. Prisoners are also out of touch with the real world. Their socialization is hindered by many factors. They do not have the capacity to fight back since they are already convicted for the crimes that they made. Other cases of physical abuse go as far as the prisoners death.Verbal AbuseThere are also instances of verbal abuse to prisoners. They are called imbecile, idiot, moron, and other nasty words by jail guards in order to wound them (Higham & Stephens, 2004). Higham and Stephens (2004) add that some of the detainees described are being abused as punishment or force field after they were caught fighting or with a prohibited item (Higham & Steph ens, 2004).According to the Idaho Observer (2006), the guards tend to come back that the inmates always do something wrong. One of the guards admitted that if they catch the prisoners lips moving, they assume that the latter are not carnal knowledge the faithfulness (Idaho Observer, 2006).Words that are usually thrown by jail guards to inmates are often harsh and grueling to take. These words are more discriminating and humiliating. There are also instances when prisoners who commit mistakes in preceding of their fellow prisoners are being shouted at by jail guards and employees. These are really faulty ways of treating prisoners because it damages their self-esteem and has bad effect on their mentality (Higham & Stephens, 2004).Psychological Abuse area is far different from torture. However, some jail authorities resort to using psychological abuse and conceal it as a method of discipline for prisoners. This happens to prisoners by means of taunting, white noise, and not al lowing them to sleep. Such cases of psychological abuse may lead to mental disorders. There are also threats given out to prisoners which cause paranoia and mental and emotional torture. Drug usage in prison may also lead to psychological disorders (Idaho Observer, 2006).One good example of psychological abuse in prison is cited in the May 2006 Idaho Observer report. The said report states that the abuse in the prison may manifest subtly. Instead of inflicting physical harm on prisoners, they are being abused by toying with them psychologically and emotionally. For instance, the jail employees leave the lights on for 17-and-a-half hours straight (430 in the morning to 10 in the evening). The guards also disturb the prisoners sleep by pointing the flashlights on the latters faces every 60 minutes or so, slamming the doors, and speaking loudly (Idaho Observer, 2006). Obviously, lack of sleep will cause ones mind not to constituent properly. This kind of maltreatment in prisons is sti ll rampant until today.Sexual AbuseThe most popular abuse among prisoners is sexual abuse. There are many cases of forced sexual intercourse inside corrections. This abuse leads to diseases like AIDS and HIV. Sexual abuse is done by forcing prisoners to have sexual encounter with jail guards, jail employees and even their co-inmates. Sexual abuse is not only limited to prison guards and employees. It also occurs inside jail bars, the co-inmate being the perpetrator. young-begetting(prenominal) to male sexual encounter occurs because they dont have any prime(prenominal) but to satisfy their sexual needs by abusing their fellow male inmates. On the case of female prisoners who were sexually abused, lack of power hinders them to report the incidental. There are times when sexual abuse to female prisoners occurs with the consent of the victim. However, this is still a misdemeanour of the law (Idaho Observer, 2006).Types of Prison AbuseCases of maltreatment and mistreatment inside cor rections take drive when jail guards, any prison employee, or co-prisoner does something inappropriate to other prisoners. It comes in many abusive forms depending on the type. Although something bad is done by the inmate it is still improper to treat them like animals. It is still a case of abuse of power by jail personnel and a violation of human rights.Drugs in PrisonUsing illegal drugs, drug trafficking and other drug related cases cause individuals to be imprisoned. To end the promulgation of drugs, the drug pushers are detained in jails. However, the issue on drugs does not end here. Some correctional tolerate the use of drugs among prisoners. Others are forced to use it while those who are already users before entering the bars continue to use it. Addiction among inmates of the prohibited drugs is also attributed to stress that they experience in such environment (Uchtenhagen, 2007).Because of drugs being trafficked in jails, inmates who used to use drugs mildly foregoing t o being imprisoned may become highly addicted to drugs. On the other hand, those who do not have any history of drug use may turn out to be drug users as their method of coping with stress and depression (Managing Drugs in Prison, 2007). Source of prohibited drugs are jail employees, jail guards, and those inmates who still have contacts on drug suppliers outside.Other causes of drug abuse inside prison are related to other types of abuse. When one prisoner is abused sexually, he/she is bribed by things like drugs to avoid plain about the incident. Those prisoners who are users of drugs being incarcerated are blackmailed by using the victims personal cravings to drugs to get their consent and agree to be molested. Those prisoners who are weak are being bullied and forced to use drugs by those who are superior inside their cells (Managing Drugs in Prison, 2007).The effects of drug abuse to prisoners are really pervasive. They cannot act and think normally because of substance abuse. Their relationship with each other is also affected as well as their relatives outside the prison environment (Managing Drugs in Prison, 2007).Overpopulation in PrisonEvery year, more and more peck are being incarcerated because of many reasons. Some are guilty of their crimes while others are victims of injustice. The plus in the number of prisoners equates to greater demands for resources and space inside the prison vicinity. However, the inmates are being abused by corrupt prison personnel who ask help from the government to aid the scarcity of prison resources like food, beds and others. In some cases, normal and mentally ill prisoners are combined in one place which makes the situation worsened. Prisons which are overcrowded are, more often than not, unsafe as they warn of a riot erupting any time (Idaho Observer, 2006).One of the reasons for prison overcrowding is the incarceration of pregnant women. Women who are giving birth in prisons also increase at the same time. The problem here is not only the condition of the female prisoner but the condition of the infant being born in that kind of environment. The problem arises before and during the preservation since health check support is also inaccessible inside prisons.Sexual Abuse in PrisonIn some cases of sexual abuse in prison, bribery is included to avoid reporting the bad incident made to prisoners. Those who were abused are given cigarettes, drugs, clothing, access to tele forebode and other prison privileges in commute of sexual encounters. Offering goods to prisoners makes the sexual abuse possible because prisoners crave things that they only experience outside.Food and drugs are commonly used to perpetrate the abuse. Threats is also involved when forced sexually abuse is done. However, sexual abuse perpetrated by female inmates does not fall in the context of rape. This is because at that place is no force used to perform the abuse. Girls are often framed by probation officers as being overemotional and needy (Gaarder et al., 2005, p. 578).Male rape is a common thing inside prisons, but as for female prisoners, the enemy is not their fellow prisoners but much worse. They are the male prison guards and correctional staff. Female prisoners who are sexually coerced by jail guards give in because of fear. Sexual abuse is also used in most prisons to cover up more serious problems like drug addiction and carrying of deadly weapons behind bars. There are also cases when sexual abuse serves as the key to making water from jail. Correctional employees assist the escape of female prisoners with whom they have sexual involvement (Human Rights Watch 1996).The problem of sexual abuse among women prisoners is much worse precisely because of their sheer number. Research shows that the United States has earned the distinction of incarcerating the most number of prisoners. Most of these prisoners are women and their number is increasing dramatically at a fast rate. According to studies, since 1980, the number of women entering U.S. prisons has been elevated to almost 400%, which is roughly double the incarceration rate increase of males. According to current statistics, near half of all female prisoners have experienced some form of sexual abuse prior to incarceration (Human Rights Watch 1996). The most common sexual abuse in prison always incorporates violence in it. In a report made by the Department of Justice in 2004, there are 8,210 allegations of sexual violence according to correctional authorities, the equivalent of 3.2 allegations per 1,000 inmates and youths incarcerated in 2004 (Department of Justice 2005). When violence is change integrity with sexual abuse, it is really damaging on the part of the victim. There are physical disabilities that may occur, including at sea bones and joints, skin injuries, and many more. The worst cases of prison rape lead to the death of prisoners. Rape cases also happen to male prisoners. There are male priso n guards and correctional staffs that take advantage of the of import power and force male prisoners to have sex intercourse with them. Then they disguise their revolting act, by pretending as protectors of the prisoners. It often involves group of prisoners in order to panic the target prisoner to be rape. It is a setup made by having group of prisoners bully the victim and threatening him with body harm. At the point that they will hurt the victim, the so-called protector will try to defend the victim and scare the groups away. In order to repay the savior (a jail guard, a jail staff or a co-inmate), the inmate will be asked to do favors and be repaid sexually.Causes of Prison Abuse Abuse of power is the main reason why there is such thing as prison abuse. Those who are in dictum take advantage of their power and demands many things from others. Such dominance causes abuse and torture to poor convicted criminals detain behind bars. The lack of courage to speak for the truth and shout for justice is also a reason why the abuse is done over and over to prisoners. Cases of sexual abuse are included in this example and cited in the Human Rights Watch website. These are the words of a male prisoner who was raped inside the foundation. As he recallsIve been sentenced for a D.U.I. offense. My 3rd one. When I first came to prison, I had no idea what to expect. Im a tall white male, who unfortunately has a small amount of feminine characteristics. And very shy. These characteristics have got me raped so many times I have no more feelings physically. I have been raped by up to 5 black men and two white men at a time. Ive had knifes at my head and throatThere is no supervision after lockdown (Human Rights Watch 2006), When a prisoner looks appealing among the rest, there is a great calamity of being molested by prison guards. Some prisoners use their charms to have access to other things like phone calls and extra food during meal times (Human Rights Watch 2006 ).Effects of Prisoner Abuse The effects of prisoner abuse can last a lifetime. The trauma and depression can be inculcated in the minds of prisoners who were physically, psychologically, verbally and sexually abused and leave them scarred permanently. Those who were brutally abused through physical means have traces of scars and bone injuries that cannot be treated anymore. There are also cases of physical abuse when one inmate is forced to have a tattoo by their fellow inmates. The denial stage comes in when they are visited by their relatives and ask what happened to them. They will try to hide the fact that they are abused by people who should have looked after them and just discipline them instead of giving them torture. Most prisoners are afraid of telling the truth because harder punishments will be given to them by their perpetrators (Men in Prison, 2008). Mental illnesses are also real as years go by inside prisons. This is because the wide spread of drug abuse is rampant. It is patently known that prohibited drugs cause malfunction in the brain. Other diseases like STDs (Sexually Transmitted Disease) and AIDS are attributed to sexual abuse inside prisons. This is the reality in the prison system which has been institutionalized in the societya kind of system that contributes to the perpetuation of violence inside prisons (Men in Prison, 2008). Prisoner abuse also has sociological effects on the prisoner. The traumatic experience causes fear and trauma that will make him soften himself from everyone. The issue of women inmates giving birth to their child is also included because of prisoner abuse. The child is automatically uncaring from the mother once born inside the prison. In effect, the child may grow up without the necessary care and attention which is expected to be given by the biological mother.There are even cases of pregnant prisoners who are raped by prison guards. Such sexual abuse is really unsufferable for the victim and their fami lies. It does not only impact the prisoners but the institution as a whole. The reason why they are incarcerated is for them to be disciplined and not to be tortured and abused (Acoca & Austin, 1996). Sexual abuse makes the institution not credible in disciplining the prisoners. Instead, they themselves should be incarcerated as well. When prisoners experience abuse, the effects can last a life time. The nightmare will forever haunt them and may lead to mental incapacitation or death at the worst. Those who experience sexual abuse and accumulate diseases find themselves committing suicide than suffer the illness daily. On cases of female prisoners who are raped, there is greater possibility of being pregnant. Being mentally ill is also an additional risk of being sexually abused (Acoca & Austin, 1996).Rights of Prisoners Although a person is found guilty of a crime, there is still no reason for him/her to be abused inside prisons. There are some(prenominal) studies showing various changes regarding situations of prisoners. Most of the said report involve abuse without due punishment given to the perpetrators. Everyone has the right to hear for justice even if you are already set behind the bars. Inmates do not deserve any kind of abuse inside the correctional. They are placed there to be rehabilitated and disciplined, not to be punished twice for their misdeed. According to the report made by the Justice Departments Bureau of Justice, prison population in the United States has grown to 2 million inmates (Longley, 2007). The said query also shows that the escalating number of inmates heightens the problem of sexual abuse while incarcerated. Such demands about this problem should no longer be ignored preventive measures need be done eradicate this problem. The rights of prisoners as cited in the Human Rights Website (2008) are based from the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in 1992. These rights speech the following(1) All persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent self-respect of the human person.(2)The penitentiary system shall comprise treatment of prisoners the essential aim of which shall be their reformation and social rehabilitation (Fathi, 2008).ICCPR also guarantees prisoner who were abused that there are remedies at hand to counter such violation of their human rights. The said covenant includes the following(a) To ensure that any person whose rights or freedoms as herein recognized are violated shall have an effective repair, notwithstanding that the violation has been committed by persons acting in an official capacity(b) To ensure that any person claiming such a remedy shall have his right thereto determined by competent juridical, administrative or legislative authorities, or by any other competent authority provided for by the legal system of the State, and to develop the possibilities of discriminatory remedy(c) To ensure that the co mpetent authorities shall enforce such remedies when granted (ICCPR, Art. 2, sec. 3, as cited in Fathi, 2008).Solutions to Prison Abuse Aside from the rights and privileges mentioned above, there are a variety of solutions to end this abuse among prisoners. There are organizations and government groups that help victims of prison abuse. There are also preventive measures that can be followed so as to stop the occurrence of any kind of abuse. People against prisoner abuse are comprised of individuals who seek for justice for those abused prisoners.One of the organizations that have been fighting for inmate rights is the People Against Prison Abuse, organization naturalized in 1994 to help inmates and their family. The said organization aims to assist the families and friends who are currently imprisoned (People Against Prison Abuse, 2008). It attempts to address the following concernsThe tax being paid by taxpayers over the past several years are said to be spent more on prison inma tes than public education but it is not visibly seen.The medical care of inmatesOvercrowding is always ignored which should not become a norm.Mentally ill prisoners are not properly taken care of and are often abused by guards because they are not trained on how to deal with such conditions.The physically challenged inmates do not have the medical care, equipment, and/or facilities to enable them to be a functional human inside the prison system(6)The vast number of industrial prison complex staff (wardens, guards, and medical staff) commit worse crimes than majority of inmates so they should be punished. (People Against Prison Abuse, 2008).The aforementioned concerns are few of the many appeals of people who want justice for prison abuse. It is also important to support organizations like this to make all people aware and to convince the government to investigate conditions within our prisons and to pass legislation to protect prisoners from abuse (Stop Prison Abuse, 2008).Conclusi on It is saddening to note that the judicial system which is supposed to protect the oppressed likewise offers no solution to this problem as it would consider this problem as an internal matter and would rather allow prison officials to handle this matter amongst themselves. The unbiassed attitude of the correctional officials to one inmate raping another is likewise depressing. It renders much harmful effects on the condition of the prisoner and the credibility of justice.Prisoner abuse is indeed a pervasive in punishable institutions. This problem however is preventable and controllable if preventive measures will be enacted and the government will responsibly address the issue. The response need not be limited to their strict punishment as evasion measures may be instituted as a matter of prison policy. The governments often have limited resources on giving the right prosecution process for victims and offenders (Hoffman, 1993, p. 1552).Prisoner abuse should be given immediate action so that it will never happen again. Abuse of authority should not be tolerated. This is a serious problem needed to be solved immediately. Not only because the victim is already convicted, but because the victim is a human. Every human being has indelible rights. Conviction for a crime no matter how heinous it is will not strip him or her of these rights.ReferencesAcoca, L. & James, A. (1996).The Crisis Women In Prison. Draft report submitted to the Charles E. Culpepper Foundation. San Francisco, CA issue Council on Crime and Delinquency.Hoffman, Paul (1993). The Feds, Lies and Videotape The Need for an Effective Federal Role in imperious Police Abuse in Urban America. Southern California Law Review, 66, 1522.Higham, S. & Stephens J. (2004). New Details of Prison Abuse Emerge. The Washington Post. Retrieved April 30, 2008 from http//www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A43783-2004May20?language=printerHuman Rights Watch. (1996). All Too Familiar Sexual Abuse of Women in St ate Prisons.Retrieved April 30, 2008 from http//hrw.org/reports/1996/Us1.htmHuman Rights Watch. (2006). No Escape Male Rape in US Prisons. Retrieved April 30,2008 fromhttp//www.hrw.org/reports/2001/prison/report.html_1_2Idaho Observer. (2008). Seven Years Abuse in Idaho Prison. Pro-Liberty Network. RetrievedApril 30, 2008 from http//proliberty.com/observer/20060520.htmIts Not My Problem. (2008) Men Stuff Organization. Retrieved April 30, 2008 from http//www.menstuff.org/issues/byissue/jailhouserock.htmlLongley, R. (2007). U.S. Prison Population Tops 2 Million. About.com. Retrieved April 30,2008 from http//usgovinfo.about.com/cs/censusstatistic/a/aaprisonpop.htmPeople Against Prison Abuse. (2008). People Against Prison Abuse. Retrieved April 30, 2008fromhttp//www.peopleagainstprisonabuse.com/page1.htmlRichie, Beth. (2000). Exploring the link up Between Violence Against Women and WomensInvolvement in Illegal Activity. U.S. Department of Justice. Research on Women and Girls in the Jus tice System.Stop Prison Abuse. (2008) Stop Prison Abuse. Retrieved April 30, 2008 fromhttp//stopprisonabuse.org/Uchtenhagen, A. (2008). Drug Prevention Outside and Inside Prison Walls. Joomla.Retrieved April 30, 2008 from http//www.drugtext.org/library/articles/97817.htm