Final answer:
The impact of increased focus on retribution and its relation to prison overcrowding is complex, as retributive policies like 'three strikes' law have contributed to higher incarceration rates and overcrowding, but the nuances of crime reduction, alternative approaches, and an aging inmate population make it challenging to determine a clear-cut answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Whether the increased focus on retribution has reduced prison overcrowding is not straightforward to determine. The available literature and studies provide a nuanced perspective on the impacts of retributive policies on prison populations. For instance, the 'three strikes' law and mandatory minimum sentencing, which epitomize the retribution approach, significantly increased the number of incarcerated individuals, thereby exacerbating prison overcrowding. At the same time, scholars and policymakers also consider the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of alternative approaches such as diversion to drug treatment, early release policies, and decriminalization of certain offenses. According to a study cited by Caroline Krafft, continued incarceration does reduce crime, with the benefits being approximately equal to the cost for certain types of offenders. However, this is not true for all offender types. As the prison population shifted towards an aging demographic due to lengthy sentences, the overcrowding problem also persists due to a growing elderly inmate population, which further complicates the overall assessment. In summary, regarding the question of whether the focus on retribution has decreased prison overcrowding, option 3) Cannot be determined seems most appropriate given the complexity of the issue and the multifaceted effects of retributive policies.