Policing is undeniably a necessary practice meant to maintain order, enforce law, and uphold social norms and customs. When we talk about policing, we generally speak about the process of crimilization leading up to the time of arrest. In fact, many of the most recent and widely publicized issues with policing occur within this pre-incarceration stage. But what happens behind the closed doors of prisons, such as Riker’s Island, creates a whole class of social issues in post-incarceration policing.
I have seen prison violence and corruption as portrayed by Hollywood, but until I read “Before the Law”, an article by the New Yorker about the pre-trial incarceration of Kalief Browder, I did not realize the severity and reality of corruption within prisons, especially New York’s own Riker’s Island. What struck me the most was the excessive use of solitary confinement as a punishment for even the smallest scuffles. A pamphlet by the American Civil Liberties Union refutes the stigma that solitary cells contain only the “worst of the worst”, stating that if that were the case they would be much less crowded. A 2007 publication by the Red Cross compared the use of solitary confinement to physical torture, naming it “one of the most difficult torment of all to withstand” [1]. It is obvious that Browder was a victim of the abuse and misuse of solitary confinement in prison, and his story revealed the psychological impacts that it can have .
Currently, many teenage inmates are placed in solitary , completely isolated for 22-23 hours per day. During this time of prime maturation, lack of human contact causes severe psychological damage. In a new legislation announced by Mayor DeBlasio’s administration [2], isolation will be banned for inmates under 21 on Riker’s Island. While this is a much needed social reform in the prison system, it does not stop misuse of solitary in inmates over this age. And if the use of solitary confinement was so underregulated prior to this legislation, how can we be sure that it will now be justly enforced?
This brings me to my next two issues; violence and abuse of power by corrections officers. While the threat of danger is inament in the daily work of a corrections officer, there have been far too many reports of unnecessary and excessive use of force against prisoners. According to a Manhattan U.S. attorney [3] verbal attacks by prisoners are often physically responded to by guards. In 2013 alone, there were 565 reports of staff use of force against adolescent males on Riker’s Island, resulting in 1,057 injuries.
As far as abuse of power, a report by the New York Times [4] exposes the recent arrests of officers smuggling drugs, weapons and other contraband onto Riker’s Island. If the prisoners still have access to the illegal items that orginally landed them there, the “deterrent effect” of prison is invalid, and the same crimes can still be committed behind bars. While there are also many issues with policing on the street, true, holistic reform cannot take place in the criminal justice system without looking to prison reforms as well.
References:
[1]https://www.aclu.org/sites/default/files/assets/stop_solitary_briefing_paper_updated_august_2014.pdf
[2] http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/14/nyregion/new-york-city-to-end-solitary-confinement-for-inmates-21-and-under-at-rikers.html?_r=0
[3] http://www.justice.gov/usao/nys/pressreleases/August14/RikersReportPR.php
[4] http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/25/nyregion/2-officers-and-20-inmates-are-arrested-in-corruption-sweep-at-rikers-island.html
Horrid prison conditions is a very serious issue and one that I believe is very much ignored. Once a person is found guilty I feel that society gives up on said person. This is evident by the way that offenders are treated in prisons or jails and how ex-offenders are treated once they are freed from prison or jail.
One question which I think needs to be addressed is why correction officers abuse their power. Is this a result of the environment they work in? Or is it a result of inadequate training? We need to fully understand the cause of this issue in order to address it in the best way possible.
Another issue that you touched upon is how suspects are treated like criminals before they are given a trial and found guilty. Kalief Browder spent three years in Rikers without a trial. His bail was set at three thousand dollars; a sum of money which his family could not pay. This is unfair to families with low income. This is another issue that I believe needs to be addressed.
I like that you focused on the necessity of reforming the prison system. In my post, I also wrote about the frequency of police violence in jails and how the guards should be more regulated. Rainer was a mentally ill prisoner who died as a result of being locked in a scalding hot shower by his guards. His death was then covered up and passed off as a heart attack. There should be more cameras in the prisons, to monitor their behavior. The overuse of solitary confinement is another huge issue that leads to psychologically ill prisoners that will eventually have trouble in society once they are released. More importantly, the police have to be held accountable for their actions. The abuse of power of policemen must stop, and the only way to do it is to treat them in the same manner as any other person, and having them receive the same retribution. This way, society can view the police force as protecters and upholders of the law rather than mighty tyrants. This is what fuels the antipolice sentiment that has become so prevalent in our society.
Good points all around. Yes, corruption among police officers only cheapens and subverts the efforts of more honest officers. However, is this a problem that can be really and truly solved? Institutional corruption is one of the most difficult things to deal with in large organizations of any kind. I just read an article about how , Additionally, can abuse of power really be addressed? What limitations and oversight could possibly stop a warden at Riker’s island from putting someone in solitary confinement at his own discretion? It’s easy to say “they need regulating” but, I mean, in any real life scenario where an inmates view of the situation is pitted against a warden’s, the warden’s wins; if the warden says he “saw” you in that scuffle, and that you’re going to solitary confinement then that’s it. Because it’s your word against his. I’m interested to hear your response.
Sorry, the link was weird.
Good points all around. Yes, corruption among police officers only cheapens and subverts the efforts of more honest officers. However, is this a problem that can be really and truly solved? Institutional corruption is one of the most difficult things to deal with in large organizations of any kind. I just yesterday read an article about how U.S. Army Officers periodically lie to their superiors and subordinates. (http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/19/politics/army-ethics-lying-report/)
Additionally, can abuse of power really be addressed? What limitations and oversight could possibly stop a warden at Riker’s island from putting someone in solitary confinement at his own discretion? It’s easy to say “they need regulating” but, I mean, in any real life scenario where an inmates view of the situation is pitted against a warden’s, the warden’s wins; if the warden says he “saw” you in that scuffle, and that you’re going to solitary confinement then that’s it. Because it’s your word against his. I’m interested to hear your response.