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The Federal Prison System

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The Federal Prison System
In the United States of America, the federal and state governments should share some power, while completely controlling others. Certain responsibilities have acquired traits that can only be provided for by the federal government, such as a national defense system. To run and maintain a standing military it takes an incredible amount of resources and manpower, as well as high-levels of leadership. However, there are other areas of policy that the states should control. The process of judicial hearings and incarceration should belong solely to the state government. The United States has the highest rate of incarceration in the world, and at least 60% of all inmates in the U.S. are affected by some degree of mental illness. The variety of …show more content…
, Jobs are nearly impossible to obtain, you cannot apply for student or cash loans, food stamps, or public housing and many former convicts end up homeless or back into the prison system. The federal government should drop their power over incarceration and let the individual states take care of all aspects of incarceration. Almost every state already has a functioning8 prison within its borders and the necessary management to keep them running. The Federal Bureau of Prisons has been in charge of managing all 122 federal prisons and institutions since the 1930s. They’re responsible for our federal prison system today and it has turned into a money sucking, life ruining, and dangerous part of our country. Change would do us good. The states would be able to set their own parameters for imprisonment or if they want to use imprisonment at all. If the states had the power we would easily be able to implement much more humane and constructive forms of incarceration. We would be able to reform ex- convict treatment and set up more efficient programs to help them find reliable housing and jobs. Local populations can be well represented and vote for what they want in their state. Funding can still come from the federal government and federal agencies will still be able to easily implement felons into the rightful state system. Some states may take a much different approach from this so a baseline set of policies or certain standards that must be met. These are the adjustments that will keep the United States efficient and

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