Homework answers / question archive / Annual Survey of Jails Valerie Torres CJA 345 Marty Mendenhall Contents Introduction to the research topic            3 Reason for topic selection            3 Research Questions        4 Hypothesis         4 References         6 Table of Figures Table 1: US Local Jail and State Probation , Parole and Prison Admission ,2015      3 Introduction to the research topic Annual Survey of Jails (ASJ) earlier known as the National Survey of Jails is the only data collection survey providing data related to local jails and prisoners yearly (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2020)

Annual Survey of Jails Valerie Torres CJA 345 Marty Mendenhall Contents Introduction to the research topic            3 Reason for topic selection            3 Research Questions        4 Hypothesis         4 References         6 Table of Figures Table 1: US Local Jail and State Probation , Parole and Prison Admission ,2015      3 Introduction to the research topic Annual Survey of Jails (ASJ) earlier known as the National Survey of Jails is the only data collection survey providing data related to local jails and prisoners yearly (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2020)

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Annual Survey of Jails

Valerie Torres

CJA 345

Marty Mendenhall

Contents

Introduction to the research topic            3

Reason for topic selection            3

Research Questions        4

Hypothesis         4

References         6

Table of Figures

Table 1: US Local Jail and State Probation , Parole and Prison Admission ,2015      3

Introduction to the research topic

Annual Survey of Jails (ASJ) earlier known as the National Survey of Jails is the only data collection survey providing data related to local jails and prisoners yearly (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2020). It was initiated in 1982 by the Bureau of Justice Statistics with data collected by the Bureau of Census. ASJ is the only data collection survey providing data on local jails and their inmates. Local prisons are correctional facilities confining prisoners prior or post-adjudication. These are operated locally. Data regarding the number of jail population and prisoner characteristics are collected every five to six years from the Census of Jails. A sample survey of jails is executed for estimating the basic features of nationwide jails and prisoners confined in these jails during each of the years between full census. Data related to increases in the number of jail facilities, fluctuations in the rated capabilities, occupancy level, admissions and releases, increase in the population supervised in the community, transitions in the community supervision methodologies and issues related to crowding in federal and state facilities in supplied for research purpose.

ASJ provides estimations on the number of prisoners incarcerated in jails along with the demographic features and status of criminal justice regarding the confined population, federal and state prison authorities, number of admissions and releases, employees appointed in the jails and their rated capability all over the U.S. This survey collected samples of around 950 jails located in cities, counties, regions and included private jails as well (Kaeble & Bonczar, 2016). The data is used by various users consisting of state and federal agencies, local officers and jail administrators, researchers and the common public.

Reason for topic selection

The US incarcerates more people as compared to any other nation in the world. There are more than 3.5 times local jail admissions combining probation, prison and parole yearly. The number of inmates admitted to jail every year is greater than those admitted to prisons, probation or parole supervision. The number of parole admissions was 425,000, prison admissions were 561,406 and probation admissions were 1,957,400 whereas the number of jail admissions was 10,900,000 in 2015 as shown in Table 1 (Minton & Zeng, 2016). 

 

Table 1: US Local Jail and State Probation, Parole and Prison Admission,2015

(Source: Minton & Zeng,2016)

There is a need to collect data regarding the admissions, length of prisoner stays, statistics on solitary confinement, mental illness or substance abuse of inmates, supervision status and their recidivism rate as the re-offending rates are highest in the country (James & Vanko, 2021). This data can be used for evaluating the impact of policies and practices on communal safety, hold state and federal agencies responsible for outcomes and take informed budgetary decisions.

This data can be used for helping the leaders to comprehend and reduce the impact created by the changes in the state policy on local jails.  It has been claimed by several law enforcement officials, judiciary officers and jail administrators that various alternatives have been implemented for prisoners suffering from behavioral issues and those accused of minor offenses. But, in reality, they are unaware of the number of prisoners requiring treatment or probable candidates eligible for substitutes of imprisonment. In this regard, states can ensure consistency in data collection and reporting by offering financial assistance, setting policies, adequate infrastructure and other assistance to the Bureau of Justice Statistics and Bureau of Census for improving data collection.

Data derived from the research topic ‘Annual Survey of Jails ‘can be used for screening and assessing behavioral health and causes of crimes arising in various parts of the country. Jails would be unable to assess the resources required for addressing the behavioral needs of criminals or partner with other criminal health agencies for advancing recovery or reducing re-offending rates in the absence of such data.

 

 

 

Research Questions

Does this research aim at seeking the answer to the following queries?

•             How ASJ can help the leaders and policymakers in reducing recidivism rates in the U.S.?

•             What are the harmful impacts of mass incarceration?

•             How these interventions can divert people from staying at jails and prisons and what is their effectiveness?

•             Which programs and policies can be implemented for shaping the correctional environment for promoting inmate’s health and preventing their illness and injury?

•             What are the various interventions available for prisoners suffering from behavioral issues and those accused of minor offenses for reconnecting them to community-based health resources?

•             In what way can the Affordable Care Act and associated changes in health care delivery and financing be implemented for generating these changes in policy and practice?

Hypothesis

This study derives its testable hypothesis:

Mental illness increases the chances of recidivism 

According to Bales et al., (2017) the symptoms of Serious Mental Illness (SMI) are the direct or indirect causes of committing crimes. Mental illness is related to factors causing criminal thinking and it also elevates the risk factors leading to crimes like substance abuse. The solution to mitigate the recidivism rates is accessibility to community resources and treatment by the prison authorities.

Accessibility to mental health treatment mitigate reoffending rates

Morrissey, Domino & Cuddeback (2016) examined the relationship between enrolment in Medicaid upon release from jail and time till the prisoners rearrest. Two groups of prisoners suffering SMI enrolled in Medicaid were compared. One group remained enrolled in Medicaid during the time of release from the jail whereas the other was disenrolled due to imprisonment. A relation between the combination of enrolment in Medicaid benefits and utilization of its services and decrease in recidivism rates was found in a time of twelve months after their release.

ASJ can help the leaders and policymakers in reducing recidivism rates in the U.S.

According to Balafoutas et al. (2017), crime reducing impact of incarceration decreases with the increasing number of incarcerations.  ASJ can help in reducing recidivism and incarceration rates by assessing the risk factors like the gender of offenders, their age group during the arrest, criminal history and mental health issues. This can help the policymakers to formulate and implement corresponding programs to mitigate the risk factors and reintegration challenges. Some of the programs are designed to address the low educated and unemployed groups of prisoners and those indulged in substance abuse. Others deal with young offenders, repeated offenders, those suffering from mental disabilities and sexual offenders.

Mass incarceration is harmful to prisoner’s health

According to Massoglia & Pridemore (2015), various researches reveal the effect of imprisonment on later life outcomes. They have also considered the fact that the penal system has emerged as a mechanism of inequality and stratification in the U.S. It was found that persons with a past of incarceration report more chronic health outcomes after they have been imprisoned. They also held that imprisonment is also negatively associated with a change in health status.

The Affordable Care Act can be implemented for generating changes related to health care delivery amongst prisoners

Mechanic & Olfson  (2016) held that the Affordable health care Act provides enormous opportunities for expanding its access to behavioural health and redesigning the provision of services. It helps the policymakers and leaders in implementing services related to mental and substance abuse care, an extension of Medicaid eligibility and insurance coverage for individuals suffering from disabilities and pre-existing conditions.