Sentinel Watch August 27, 2012 Issue

Overcrowded prisons and the Almighty's assurance

Channing Walker—Mountain Center, California

TIM WALKER

California got itself into a years-in-the-making jam when it stuffed too many prisoners into too little space. Prison authorities hijacked common areas, such as gymnasiums, and retrofitted them with rows upon rows of double- and triple-stacked bunks. As living conditions declined, tempers among inmates rose and violent outbreaks mushroomed. The courts finally stepped in. They ordered the end of overcrowding. But how could the state achieve that? In part, by dumping inmates back onto the streets. That included inmates who stood, in some instances, far from possible parole (see “US prison inmates returning to society: How will they be received?” The Christian Science Monitor, May 20, 2012).

So, how happy does this make the neighborhood?

Not one bit. One obvious concern hinges on the impact this has on real estate. Even more of a concern is the impact on safety. In some communities fears loom that each negative repercussion could trigger yet another negative repercussion. For instance, depressed real estate could mean less tax revenue, which could mean fewer police, which could mean . . . you get the idea.