Causation
The numbers presented above create a visual picture for how severe the increase in crime rates and recidivism is in Harrisonburg-Rockingham County. In an attempt to better understand what has led to the steady increase in criminal offenses, education attainment and unemployment rates from 2009 to 2014 is important to examine.
Eductaion
Harrisonburg-Rockingham County has an education system similar to many other education systems. Although separated by county lines, there are 36 schools ranging from elementary to high school for citizens to attend. Because of the role education plays in the likelihood of success in today’s society, education is very important to obtain. Given its weight on success, Lance Lochner and Enrico Moretti …show more content…
The Rockingham-Harrisonburg Regional Jail was designed as a medium to maximum custody facility; however, physical limitations on space hamper the ability of the administration to offer the support programs that may be beneficial to those minimum custody inmates. Mosely Architects noted in their report that, “there is virtually no physical space available to support offender program and treatment needs.” (CBCP, p. 10) Given the large population of repeat offenders, less than 50% had at least one prior felony conviction and nearly 1/3 had two or more prior felony convictions. The programs and treatment options not currently offered, even if minimally effective, can help to reduce the problem of overcrowding (Council of State Governments Justice Center, 2014). When considering many factors associated with repeat incarceration such as low levels of education, unemployment concerns and substance abuse issues, it is clear that the population at Rockingham-Harrisonburg Regional Jail could potentially benefit from programs that address these issues. According to the CBCP report, over 40% did not finish high school. Additionally, roughly 70% were unemployed at the time of admission to jail and over 90% had substance abuse issues that had affected their personal lives. Clearly, finding …show more content…
With such overcrowding comes the problem of trying to meet state standards while working with inadequate resources. One area of concern noted in the CBCP report, were sufficient appropriate placement for serious crime offenders which addresses safety concerns of both inmates and jail personnel. The physical limitations of space for facility maintenance as well as food preparation have also presented themselves as problematic. Upkeep on a physical structure continually overburdened could potentially mean loss of adequate privacy for prisoners and violation of sufficient health and safety standards, such as lighting, heating and cooling concerns. Public servants should be given the opportunity to do their jobs to the best of their ability, not to have to do them given an overwhelming amount of constraints which may lead to low employee morale or high turnover in