What strengths to you see in a jail using this program?
The return of the chain gang in modern corrections is an aspect that is likely to result in beneficial outcomes for the prisons which use this program. For instance, owing to the overcrowding being experienced in many of the prisons, it is a necessity for them to initiate budget cuts and look for incentives that are likely to bring in more income. Also, placing them in chain is beneficial to prevent the inmate from escaping. In the event that they attempt to flee, it is possible for them to get shot and this would require that they are hospitalized, further costing the prison facility up to $100000 in order to patch up the inmate (LeBaron, 2018). Besides, it is a mechanism that induces good behavior in the prisoners. Upon getting to the outside world, they are able to visualize the kind of life they are missing and hence there is a likelihood that a deep conviction to be released for good behavior is initiated in the process.
What weaknesses to you see in this program?
One of the main weaknesses pertains to the idea that despite whatever may have been assumed, putting the prisoners in chains may not fully deter them from attempting to escape. Also, the initiative appears demeaning to the inmates. The contemporary gangs are also not as dangerous as those who existed in the past. Thus the chains may appear unnecessary. Moreover, the activity deprives the prisoners of their life and limb (Wacquant, 2015). For instance, one would wonder how toileting needs are met within this chain gang since once they are outside the precincts of prison such amenities are not available out there for the inmates. In order to cater for such, some inmates are offered tin cans by those supervising them which appears to be demoralizing. It is also easy for this activity to attract the attention of human rights activists as they seek to have it reconsidered after deeming it unsuitable for the inmates.
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What threats to security or the public are present?
The main threat is the idea that the gang can pose a danger to passer`s by. For instance, in the even that one of the members manages to unshackle themselves, it is possible for them to hold a civilian hostage in order to aid in their escape. Also, escape attempts may lead the correctional officers to shoot the escapee and in the event that they fail to do so accurately, they may end up injuring an innocent individual. In some scenarios, there could be a single officer placed in charge of up to 40 inmates, in which case, they can easily turn on him.
What opportunities present themselves for rehabilitation, public benefit, crime prevention, etc. with this program?
The main opportunity for rehabilitation presented is the idea that the incentive manages to inculcate good behavior and responsibility among the prisoners. Also, their activities benefit the public since they manage to clean up most of the public areas making them environmentally friendly and pleasant to the people. Some of the inmates dread being part of the chain gang since they are afraid that their friends and family will undermine them. In such a case, it is possible that upon their release and having gone through the experience, the inmate will avoid committing a crime again to avoid finding themselves in the same position.
References
LeBaron, G. (2018). Prison Labour, Slavery, and the State. In Revisiting Slavery and Antislavery (pp. 151-177). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
Wacquant, L. (2015). From slavery to mass incarceration: Rethinking the “race question” in the United States. In Globalization of Racism (pp. 100-116). Routledge.
