U.S. prisons reportedly overcapacity by 40%

The problem of our nation’s prisons has legislators scrambling for solutions while tax payers bear the burden of it’s multi-billion dollar price-tag.

An important discussion started Tuesday bringing together leaders, including Delaware Governor Jack Markell, who might have proven ways to fix things. He was one of six asked to testify in D.C. about what they believe can solve some of our federal prison system problems.

The latest numbers from 2013 show about 219,000 inmates are in federal prisons. Law makers worry, since that means there are 9 times as many convicts in the system as compared to 30 years ago.

 “We worry today that the criminal justice today is not the system I think…we should aspire to.” Says Congressman Jason Chaffetz.

Markell stated Delaware prisons are over-capacity, which mirrors the situation nationally, where the prison average is 40 percent above capacity.

The National Institute of Corrections reports that Delaware’s inmate population is over 7,000, making the incarceration rate about 12 percent higher than the national average.

Markell proposes bringing down those numbers by providing treatment to some convicts rather than a prison cell, like drug addicts.

“Often times when we have sent them to prison for the first time for a non-violent offense, many people are locked out from meaningful full employment for the rest of their lives.” Says Governor Markell. “Consider that on the impact of their families and their communities.”

He also promoted programs that help ex-cons successfully reenter society and not end up back in prison. One of those programs “New Expectations” allows pregnant offenders to live outside of prison and bond with their baby during their treatment and recovery.

“For these mothers and babies, the opportunity to remain together in a supportive and sober environment may make all of the difference.” Explains Governor Markell.

The discussion continues Wednesday with five more testimonies.