PRISONERS’ UNEASY SILENCE

 

The Things You May Not Know about U.S. Prison System

Have you ever wondered what happens in atypical United States prisons? Perhaps different from the cosmetic images that we see in the movies? It may be a surprise because you will discover a new reality as it seems to have metamorphosed recently into a horrible atmosphere for inmates.

Over the years, a school of thought has maintained that a prison system should not just be a place to punish law offenders but a holistic scheme specially designed as correctional facilities to help lawbreakers reunite with society while ensuring their fundamental human rights.

Is this the case with the present prison system, which is more like a breeding ground for future criminals rather than correcting and making them more useful for society? I don't think so because of the dehumanizing conditions these prisoners experience.

Those who often appear emotional after watching an edited version of prison conditions in movies will be shocked at the reality. This is so as they may not know that images painted are often twice as horrible as what is obtainable in most U.S. prisons.

But as they say, it takes a man with great vision to lead a team. Hence when recently, a highly educated and renowned Texas businessman, Tyler King, found himself behind bars, he was not just hoping to change things in the system but was ready to be a voice to the voiceless prisoners.  

Tyler started a nonprofit project tagged “A Voice From Prison" to change things after he was accused of  “conspiring to access” sensitive company information- a charge that he said was ambiguous and in error.

His family members worked so hard to relay his gory experiences in incarceration through regular blog updates and insightful commentaries. His vision is not just on his condition but the general pitiable life of prisoners in the United States prison system that is causing widespread concern about the health risks of the inmates.

From California to New York, Chicago to Florida, the story is the same about avoidable overcrowding. Racially discriminatory practices and occasional Violence and sexual abuses of inmates have been reported. Prisoners sleep on an empty floor, under extreme heat or cold and unsanitary environment that makes their food contaminated even before consumption.

Facts available from U.S. Criminal justice system revealed that a 500% increase in detention occurred within the last 40 years due mainly to changes in sentencing law and policy, rather than an increase in crime. A practice that has inhumanly subjected inmates to the permanent devastating effect of overcrowding on incarcerated victims.

Interestingly, this mass incarceration is also discriminatory, according to the data available. The report that black men are six times more likely to be detained than white men and  Latinos, two and a half times as likely, comes a handy. This has given credence to what stakeholders viewed as a total violation of the justice system.

With all these happenings, Tyler King’s “A Voice From Prison” advocacy for criminal justice reform and the constitutional rights of prisoners could not have come at a better time. Tyler's goal, Just like millions of others that seem to have lost faith in the United States judicial system, is to protect the right of inmates. He also wants to promote the right to a fair trial for all, having been a victim of the failed system himself.

Until something positive happens, the likes of Tyler King and many others that will soon join the campaign will continue to inform the public of the hidden human rights violations that are now the new order of things in U.S. Prisons.