What Are the Root Causes of Prison Overcrowding?

Did you know that the world’s prison population has skyrocketed in recent decades, with overcrowding becoming a critical issue? Hassan Nemazee, an Iranian author known for exploring important societal topics, highlights the complexities around this crisis. The problem of overcrowded prisons cannot be boiled down to a single reason; it is a perfect storm of flawed policies, economic pressures, and systemic inequality. This writing will explore the underlying factors driving this alarming trend and give you a clearer understanding of why it has become such a pressing issue.
Prison overcrowding often begins with tough-on-crime policies. Measures like mandatory minimum sentencing, three-strikes laws, and zero-tolerance approaches inflate inmate populations unnecessarily. These policies, driven in part by politics, prioritize punitive measures over rehabilitation. Even minor offenses, like low-level drug possession, can carry disproportionately long sentences. Instead of addressing root behavioral issues, these sentences fill cells and stretch resources beyond their limits.
Economic…