From Barry University:
I.
INTRODUCTION
Emergency preparedness in a jail or prison system in the event of a
national disaster is a global issue. This is a topic that is often overlooked,
but that affects thousands of individuals worldwide. Many examples of
emergencies could take place within a correctional facility, such as riots,
terrorism, and natural disasters. Each situation requires a set safety plan
in order to minimize potential risks and causalities while simultaneously
maintaining order within the facility. In 2004, the top ten disasters that
affected the largest amount of people were attributed to natural disaster
weather emergencies, including floods and storms.1 This comment will
look at the various global concerns with emergency preparedness in
correctional facilities, but will be mainly focused on an emergency
preparedness plan to help assist in combating natural disasters, primarily
within the United States.
There are approximately 2.3 million individuals that are incarcerated
within the United States, both on a state and federal level, with these
numbers only growing over time.2 These numbers include not only
individuals who have been convicted of a crime, but those awaiting trial.3
These large populations require specialized attention in the event of an
emergency.4 The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation have said that “everything that a city needs to keep
operating [in an emergency], a prison also needs.”5 Disaster planning is a
critical part of keeping people safe.6 Kristian Cadervall Lauta states that
“the fact that no [effective legal framework under international disaster
law] exists undermines our ability effectively to respond to disasters.”
Several contributing factors exacerbate the danger that is posed in
these situations, such as a lack of preparedness and training, underfunding
of state and federal programs, and the overcrowding of correctional
facilities. Part I of this comment will look at the problems associated with
responding to a national disaster, and the technology and communication
issues that hinder the progress of this. Part II will examine examples of
natural disasters affecting the prison system on a global level, such as the
Haiti earthquakes and the Indonesian tsunami. Part III will evaluate
natural disasters within the United States, such as Hurricane Katrina, the
Puerto Rico earthquakes, and the Polar Vortex. Finally, my proposal to
resolving these difficulties will be found in Part IV, which includes
legislation to prevent the mandatory incarceration of minor offenses,
mandating a training plan for employees, and assembling a voluntary
inmate workforce within the prison system, similar to those used to battle
the California wildfires.
Continue reading here.
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