Correctional Facility Appellate Rulings Effects

Correctional Facility

Appellate Rulings Effects on American Correctional Institutions

There are many historical correctional institutions located across the U.S. Perhaps one of the most well-known is Alcatraz. However there are many smaller institutions with relevant history sprinkled throughout the U.S. none the least of which is Oakhill Correctional Institution. Oakhill Correctional Institution located in Oregon was originally built in 1941 as a school for girls. Later the institution, registered as a historical site, operated as a security unit and maximum security in patient unit (Oakhill, 2005). Patients and inmates from various Wisconsin correctional facilities now go to Oakhill for medical care, particularly specialized treatment. Oakhill currently maintains a goal of providing secure security and custody to inmates in an equitable and high quality environment (Oakhill, 2005). Offenders staying at the institution today are currently offered behavioral and cognitive developmental opportunities.

Changes in appellate court rulings have changed the way modern correctional facilities are run. Incarceration rates in recent years have climbed exponentially, and are traced partly to tougher legislation and harder sentencing (Ball, 1991). In addition movements restricting parole have increased incarceration as more people are incarcerated but fewer are released. On the other hand inmates now have more rights afforded to them, in part due to rulings on the eight amendments, which addresses cruel and unusual punishment. Approaches now make it necessary to afford prisoners certain rights including adequate medical care, exercise and recreation as is evidenced in the Oakhill facility (Ball, 1001). Other rulings including the Pugh decision and campaigns including Rhodes v Chapman (1982) forced U.S. courts to extend inmates rights to protection preventing deplorable conditions which are deemed "Unconstitutional" (Ball, 3).

Historically many modern correctional institutions and older institutions have struggled to find balance between adequate funding and demands for prison space (Iowa, 2005). Policymakers according to administrators often make decisions with respect to funding without having adequate information to draw from. Many administrators are trying to implement more behavioral and cognitive development programs for minor offenders, as is evidenced by Oakhill institution, in an attempt to cut down on the number of inmates housed in such facilities.

Unfortunately many feel that appellate rulings don't always benefit modern correctional institutions. As mentioned previous, while prisoners are afforded more rights, many institutions now have stricter standards that have in part contributed to overcrowding. Many have described today's appellate rulings as inconsistent as best, "contributing rather than reducing disparity" and crippling state's abilities to prosecute as needed (Duke, 2005).