The United States leads the world regarding the total amount of inmates in current incarceration (World Population Review, 2021). This statistic is one not to be proud of and is one that explains why issues like overcrowding exist. Because of issues like overcrowding, you then get a domino effect of higher recidivism rates. So, knowing this, I am petitioning to make more, better made prisons in order to replace older ones with the goal of lowering overcrowding and recidivism rates.

This would be achieved through implementation of more, and of higher quality, educational programs. Studies have shown, dating back to 1990, that the most agreed upon consensus regarding educational programs is that; educated prisoners are less likely to go back to prisons (Vacca, 2004). It is key to note that if we were to follow through with this plan, the quality of said programs should be centered around the learner and the particular prison culture in order to bolster the effectiveness of said programs (Vacca, 2024). In these newly built prisons, we would also implement reentry programs. Our society tends to throw deviants into prisons and forget about them, what they also forget is that these deviants will, more often than not, reenter society. While studies on reentry programs show modest effects, any factor that can lower recidivism rates, which in turn lowers overcrowding rates, will be put to use (Berghuis, 2018). The overall physical environment within these newly built prisons would also be prioritized. Studies show a direct connection between violence rates and the overall quality of physical conditions within prisons, with better physical conditions leading to declines in violence (Bierie, 2012). Our goal being to build better prisons, it is essential to not only build prisons to a higher standard, but to also maintain and upkeep these prisons to the highest of standards which allows for an environment that nurtures improvement, not disaster. Having this all-in mind, this plan cannot and will not work if we yet again dump our issues onto private prison companies, or in other words privatization. Privatization allows prison companies to reign and have complete control over the way prisons are run (Badmus, 2024). This means they are allowed to cut not only costs but also officers, medical care, and even programs (Badmus, 2024). In order for this plan to work, the move towards privatization must be avoided at all costs.

Prisons are far too often seen as black holes to throw “bad people” into. Don’t get me wrong, deviants do need to be punished and need to serve their time but as a society we need to think further into the future. These “bad people” will most-likely reenter society, only wanting retribution and deterrence out of our prisons only serves to higher recidivism and overcrowding rates. Overcrowding in of itself is a huge issue that needs to be addressed. Because of the effects of overcrowding, prisons today resemble conditions that can practically be called torture-like conditions (Nudd, et al, 2024). The right to be free from torture is one of our fundamental rights and if you care to uphold this right, consider signing this petition. Our prisons allow for a continuous cycle of recidivism leading to overcrowding, and because of the effects of overcrowding then follows higher recidivism. We need to change this, and it starts with you and me. If you care for your children sign this petition, if you care for future generations beyond your children sign this petition. If you don’t have children, think of those who will come after you. As a society we need to bolster a rehabilitative mentality when it comes down to our prisons, I guarantee you hundreds if not thousands of inmates today, have the potential to become successful and contributive members of society, who have not been allowed to, because of the prisons we currently have.

If you agree with my sentiments, please contact the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Prisons with this move in mind.

U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington DC 20530

202-514-2000

Federal Bureau of Prisons
320 First St., NW
Washington, DC 20534

202-307-3198

Works Cited

Badmus, Gabriella. “Privatization and Flawed Punishment: An Economic Analysis and Critique of Private Prisons in the United States and the United Kingdom.” Oclc.org, 2024, research-ebsco-com.aurarialibrary.idm.oclc.org/c/qjh3nm/viewer/pdf/uxqo4vxgrn. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

Berghuis, Maria. “Reentry Programs for Adult Male Offender Recidivism and Reintegration: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, vol. 62, no. 14, 11 June 2018, pp. 4655–4676, https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624x18778448 

Bierie, David M. “Is Tougher Better? The Impact of Physical Prison Conditions on Inmate Violence.” International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, vol. 56, no. 3, 1 May 2012, pp. 338–355, ijo.sagepub.com/content/early/2011/04/09/0306624X11405157 , https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X11405157

Nudd, Eva, et al. “View of Overcrowding in Prisons: Health and Legal Implications.” Tidsskrift.dk, 22 Oct. 2024, tidsskrift.dk/torture-journal/article/view/147571/195103. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

Vacca, James S. “Educated Prisoners Are Less Likely to Return to Prison.” JSTOR, Dec. 2004, www-jstor-org.aurarialibrary.idm.oclc.org/stable/23292095?seq=1.  Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

World Population Review. “Prison Population by State 2020.” Worldpopulationreview.com, 2021, worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/prison-population-by-state.