Final answer:
Governing prisons was potentially considered easier in the 'good old days' because the approach was simpler, focusing on punishment over rehabilitation, with political incentives for harsh crime policies leading to rapid growth in prison populations.
Step-by-step explanation:
One reason that prison administrators may prefer the "good old days" is that governing prisons was easier. The sociopolitical climate during the 'get tough on crime' era led to a simpler approach to managing prisons. The focus was primarily on law enforcement and punishment rather than on rehabilitation or addressing the root causes of criminal behavior.
The era when governing prisons was considered easier coincided with the rise of the 'war on drugs' and a cultural backlash that led to law-and-order politics. This political strategization resulted in swelling prison populations due to the electoral incentive for candidates like judges, sheriffs, and prosecutors to appear tough on crime. While this made governing seem more straightforward, it contributed to overcrowding in prisons and the construction of private prisons which benefitted economically from maintaining high incarceration rates.
Furthermore, there was a move away from the complex social interventions necessary for rehabilitation, such as drug-addiction treatment or investing in effective drug prevention programs. This reduction in complexity could make the administration of prison systems seem easier to manage in comparison with more holistic approaches.