#163 - The inmates helped me heal!

Karen spent 30 years in the prison system as a doctor in an all male prison in Carson City NV. We talk about the good, bad and ugly she dealt with from her time there. And what she did when she retired...well she can tell you all about that! Enjoy.

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Me! https://berawpodcast.com/

'til next time!

In the 1980s, the prison system in the western United States underwent significant transformations, marked by a substantial increase in incarceration rates, shifts in sentencing policies, and growing concerns over prison conditions.

Rising Incarceration Rates

Throughout the 1980s, the United States experienced a dramatic rise in incarceration rates, a trend mirrored in western states. This surge was influenced by several factors, including the implementation of mandatory sentencing laws, the "war on drugs," and a general shift towards more punitive criminal justice policies. For instance, between 1980 and 1996, the federal prison population increased by 333%, from 24,363 inmates to 105,544 inmates (

JSTOR

Sentencing Reforms

In response to escalating crime rates and public demand for tougher penalties, many western states enacted sentencing reforms. California, for example, initiated an ambitious and expensive prison construction program to accommodate the growing number of inmates resulting from these policies (

Office of Justice Programs

These reforms often led to longer sentences and reduced opportunities for parole, contributing to prison overcrowding.

 

Prison Conditions and Overcrowding

The rapid increase in the prison population strained existing facilities, leading to overcrowding and deteriorating conditions. By 1980, many prisons were operating at or above capacity, prompting concerns about inmate treatment and human rights (

Bureau of Justice Statistics

Notably, the 1980 New Mexico State Penitentiary riot, one of the most violent in U.S. history, highlighted the dire consequences of overcrowded and understaffed prisons (

National Institute of Corrections

Emergence of Supermax Prisons

In the late 1980s, the rise of supermax (super-maximum security) prisons began, designed to house the most dangerous and disruptive inmates in solitary confinement for extended periods. This trend reflected a shift towards more punitive measures within the prison system (

Oxford Academic

Impact on Minority Communities

The 1980s' incarceration policies disproportionately affected minority communities, particularly African Americans and Hispanics, exacerbating existing social inequalities. This disparity laid the groundwork for future discussions on systemic racism within the criminal justice system (

Vera

In summary, the 1980s were a pivotal decade for the prison system in the western U.S., characterized by increased incarceration rates, stringent sentencing reforms, challenges in prison conditions, and a growing awareness of racial disparities. These developments have had lasting impacts on the criminal justice landscape in the United States.