THE MEANING OF OVERCROWDING

by

Dortell Williams

(Approximately 200 words Non-Fiction)

The word overcrowding associated with California prisons and jails has become such common place that it’s hardly shocking to the senses anymore – even for the most patriotic of citizens who still hold value to yesterday’s higher mores.

Perhaps it's time to reiterate the definition of overcrowding, not with Webster’s but with blood, death, and souls:

Overcrowding means an average of one prisoner death a week in the medical ward – due to apathetic neglect – and the highest suicide rate in the nation: 22 deaths per 100, 000 compared to an average of 13 per 100,000 around the nation.

Overcrowding translates into constant stress and frustration and escalates into occasional rioting.

Overcrowding, in general, means sleeping outside in the elements – as if in some underdeveloped country – or in a gym or dayroom not designed for anything close to humane housing.

Overcrowding means undue and constant tormenting strain and tension. Overcrowding means excruciatingly long lines for taxpaying family and friends desiring to visit.

Overcrowding means public safety put at grave risk because thousands of prisoners are released daily who had no access to the rehabilitation, drug treatment or meaningful job training you’d think would be a given in facilities bearing the name “corrections” and “rehabilitation.”

Overcrowding means failure, pain, embarrassment and danger for everyone – directly or indirectly, inside or outside.

Overcrowding in California means an ineffective $9 billion debacle rolling and increasing in steam ahead.

Overcrowding in a word means: inhumanity.

October 2006

Sources:
http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/ (Department of Corrections’ website).

Don Thompson (AP) “California Inmate Suicides Climb, Security Changes Blamed,” http://www.monterreyherald.com/, August 6, 2005.

Jennifer Warren, “State Prisons Chief Resigns After Two Months on the Job,” Los Angeles Times, April 20, 2006: Al.