The Bureau of Statistics, Essay Example

According to the Bureau of Statistics survey conducted on the experiences of jail inmates in California, troubling results were found. For instance, there is reduced access to healthcare services that increases the chances of contracting communicable diseases. Approximately 68% of inmates did not access healthcare services since incarceration. Sexual abuse is also prevalent in jails to a greater extend as compared to prisons. From the survey, about 55% and 13% of female and male inmates respectively experienced physical and sexual abuse. The pain experienced by jail inmates exceeds that of their prison counterparts since most of them are subjected to pretrial incarcerations. Jails are also overcrowded. Inadequate trained officers render jails places never to admire. The officials lack sufficient training especially with regard to handling mentally handicapped individuals. Moreover, inmates are subject to the risk of getting infected with HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases due to frequent cases of sexual abuse, poor hygiene and overcrowding.

Furthermore, jail inmates are subjected to undue punishments despite their ill mental conditions. Retribution is also prevalent among the inmates. Inadequate detention rooms for mentally ill inmates are also a problem experienced in jails. Both patients and corrections officers found it difficult to survive and manage the detention rooms. Patients that get detained in jails exhibit difficulty in regard to treatment. Incarceration yields further compensation unfairness among the inmates. Homicide and suicide incidences are also common in jails. Many inmates opt to commit suicide following the unbearable jail conditions. Some of the confinements particularly for juvenile inmates are insecure. However, prison life is different since there are predetermined programs that take care of inmates’ accommodation and activities in the prison following conviction. This ensures that prisoners engage in planned activities in the prison to avert idling.