Final answer:
Good time in prison refers to sentence reductions for good behavior. Governors possess the power to grant pardons and commute sentences.
The effectiveness of harsh sentencing as a deterrent is debated, with emphasis shifting towards a balance of punishment and rehabilitation in contemporary criminal justice discourse.
Step-by-step explanation:
Good time is a policy where prisoners can reduce their sentence by exhibiting good behavior while incarcerated. This concept of rewarding well-behaved inmates aligns with the broader practices of the U.S. justice system in governing penalties and rehabilitation.
The idea is that these incentives can encourage rehabilitation and good conduct within penitentiaries. Governors also have the power to grant pardons or commute sentences, potentially shortening the time prisoners serve due to factors like mental health concerns or overly harsh initial sentencing.
In recent history, certain states have commuted the sentences of all inmates on death row, indicating a shift in perspectives on incarceration and capital punishment. Yet, the effectiveness of strategies such as long-term imprisonment for lesser crimes in reducing overall crime rates is debated.
While some believe in the efficacy of harsh penalties and deterrents, including extended sentences for gun crimes, others point to the need for a focus on rehabilitation and the complex societal factors contributing to crime.
Programs like Scared Straight, which intended to deter criminal behavior in at-risk youths by exposing them to the realities of prison life, have even been found to backfire, increasing the likelihood of future criminality.
The geography of punishment and the history of jails and prisons in America reveal the country's evolving approach to dealing with criminal behavior, highlighting the ongoing debate over deterrence versus rehabilitation, and fair versus harsh sentencing.
As part of these developments, the occasional utilization of private prisons and the election of judges and law enforcement officials often fuel the politics of being "tough on crime." This has contributed to the massive growth of the U.S. prison population since the 1970s.