Brutality: Police & Prisons
Each day in the United States, people's natural human rights are being infringed upon. The causers of these violations are none other than the people who are supposed to protect society: police officers. This increase in police violence is a part of a toughened criminal justice system which includes the war on drugs, the building of new prisons, and the move toward quicker executions. That is not to say that violations are only infringed upon those who come in contact with these brutal officers, but also to prison inmates. Each year thousands of reports are being filed against police officers who assault and ill-treat suspects. Inquiries into some of the largest urban police departments have uncovered systematic brutality. However, it is difficult to assess the true extent of police brutality because there is no reliable national data. Most United States police departments have very strict guidelines on the use of force. International standards state that force should only be used as a last resort, proportionate to the threat and designed to minimize injury, but unfortunately these standards are not followed, and too often officers turn a blind eye to abuse. Police brutality and misconduct are merely the major contemporary fo
Class and sexual orientation also are two other factors that play a role in brutality. A psychiatric syndrome associated with the sensory deprivation of solitary confinement has been identified by researchers. Perhaps someday people will hopefully realize that prisoners and suspects are human too, and should be treated as such. The US Justice Department receives thousands of complaints every year. This includes long-term solitary confinement and harsh conditions. Another, maybe a bit more serious, brutality is going on in prisons and jails. Those whose rights have been violated often receive financial compensation in out of court settlements, which means the taxpayer is paying for authorities' right to abuse their power with impunity. Stripped of their rights, money and contact with the outside world, they are powerless, helpless and easy to manipulate. Every incident should be reported and also brought to the public's attention. It is becoming more common for police officers to use weapons such as chemical sprays and electro-shock weapons to stun or temporarily disable suspects. Similarly, the greater the amount of time spent in conditions of sensory deprivation, the greater the risk of illness. The most insidious effect of isolation is that it can destroy an inmate's ties to society.
Common topics in this essay:
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Pomona California,
African-American Latino,
James Parkinson,
Union California,
Unit Arizona,
Prison California,
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excessive force,
means guards,
mentally ill,
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international standards,
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Acceptance Essays
