It is often said that America has the best criminal justice system in the world. Even with all its flaws, the judicial branch has prided itself on the fair treatment of presumes criminals. The law states that a person is innocent until proven guilty in the court of law.  In modern day society, forensics and security cameras have helped people escape unjust imprisonment.  However, even with advanced technology we have many innocent individuals behind bars. The wrongly convicted have lost their freedom due to crimes ranging from marijuana possession to murder. The problem with the current system is there are too many variables that can prove or disprove a person’s innocence.  The system is broken, and I will show in detail why it is dire need of a complete overhaul.

 

 Prison is not a place people plan on visiting in their lives. Whether a person is rightfully or wrongfully convicted, they are in for the most mentally challenging experience. I do believe there should be a place to keep criminals off the street and punished for their wrong doings. I do not believe there should be innocent, or guilty people subject to the inhumane horror of corrupt prisons.

    

Prisoners are often seen and unhinged animals and are treated as such.  An inmate is isolated inside a small concrete cell and stripped down to the bare necessities. Inmates are often denied basic human rights. They are declined from seeing the light of day and contact with loved ones. Many of America’s prisons are inhumane. They are not only unclean, but unsafe. Prisons violating basic building codes and government guidelines is not abnormal. These conditions going unreported while prison guards and employees turn the other cheek is common. Physical and sexual abuse inflicted on male and female inmates from staff happens often. Some prisons are more notorious than others. Rikers Island is a prison complex in New York city. There are many horror stories that come from there. In 2021 Jonah E Bromwich of the New York Times published the article titled 10 Deaths, Exhausted Guards, Rampant Violence: Why Rikers Is in Crisis: stating, “According to those who have toured the complex recently, certain areas are covered in garbage and urine, and some people in custody are being held in tiny showers where there is barely enough room to stand.” It does not matter if you are a petty thief, a serial killer or innocent. Depending on what correctional facility is nearest to you this will be your experience.

 

 It is hard to suggest the number of wrongfully imprisoned people. Each year we have inmates being exonerated of crimes they were falsely accused of, finally set free by DNA. At the same time, there are people imprisoned because of DNA that was purposely tampered with. The long list of once trusted lab chemist and officials, ruining the lives of thousands of people is alarming. The American justice system needs a deep cleanse and correction. It is exhausting to think of the amount time, money and manpower it will take to bring back its honor.

             

                                                                                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                 

                                                                                                        Sources

Jonah E Bromwich. “10 Deaths, Exhausted Guards, Rampant Violence: Why Rikers Is in Crisis.”  nytimes.com, 15 Sept, 2021, www.nytimes.com/2021/09/15/nyregion/rikers-island-jail.html.