The Ethical Treatment of Prisoners

A Utilitarian View of Prison Labor & Behavioral Impact of Prisoners

INTRODUCTION

The ethical theory of utilitarianism and the perspective on relativism, of prison labor along with the relativism on criminal behavior of individuals incarcerated are two issues that need to be addressed. Does the utilitarianism of prisoner’s right laws actually protect them? Or are the unethical actions of the international and states right laws exploiting the prison labor? Unethical procedures that impact incarcerated individuals and correctional staff, the relativism of respect as people and not just prisoner’s; the safety of all inmates and correctional staff, are all issues worth continuous reflection.

LABOR & PRISONERS

When reviewing the international human right laws we see that it is put in place to protect the prisoner’s capabilities working in the private prison systems. With the advance degree of the rise in population of prisoners incarcerated every year, the more rapidly they are exploited in their labor capabilities. Where there are three different areas prisoners may work :) in the institution where the prisoner is incarcerated which is called a private prison, a private subdivision which is involved with the prison industries, and, private subdivisions that are engaged with the work release program. Over the years prison labor has been a matter of interest and concern with the (ILO) International Labor Organization, yet the international law is not advancing to the degree that it needs too on this specific subject. (Fenwick, C. 2005). In argument of this we need recognize how the prison labor is being used for profit beyond what it should and needs to be addressed if we have any regard to how we treat the incarcerated. Yes...

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... Fenwick states…’Prison conditions have steadily deteriorated, while at the same time, prison populations have dramatically increased throughout the Western world, in many cases leading to unsustainable overcrowding. This has led, in turn, to further deterioration in conditions. These structural circumstances coincide with the rise and spread of the economic strategies associated with globalization, including reduction of state budgets and privatization of state functions. Not surprisingly, elements of the private sector seized on the opportunity for profit presented by this “crime-control/ fiscal-crisis contradiction.” (Fenwick, C. 2005).p.258.

Works Cited

Fenwick, Colin F. Human Rights Quarterly. Private use of prisoners Labor: Paradoxes of International Human Law

Vol.27 #1 Feb (2005) Retrieved from: jhu.edu/journals/human_rights_quarterly/v027/27.1fenwick.pdf