Final answer:
Over-incarceration occurs when the level of correctional control exceeds what is necessary, leading to an excessive number of people in the corrections system. This contributes to the high incarceration rates in the U.S., with around 2.3 million people incarcerated and approximately 6.4 million under correctional supervision as of the end of 2018. Reform advocates suggest alternatives to incarceration, such as probation, parole, and diversion programs, as more effective solutions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Over-incarceration is when offenders receive a level of correctional control or punishment that is greater than what they really require, resulting in bringing more people into the corrections system. This practice involves incarcerating individuals in situations where less severe forms of punishment may be more appropriate.
The corrections system, which is the system tasked with supervising individuals who have been arrested for, convicted of, or sentenced for criminal offenses, has a significant impact in the United States due to its high incarceration numbers.
At the end of 2018, approximately 2.3 million people were incarcerated in the United States, and the total number of people either incarcerated, detained, paroled, or on probation was around 6.4 million. These numbers are often seen as indicative of a system that favors incarceration over other forms of punishment or rehabilitation, which has led to criticisms of over-incarceration due to its social and economic impacts.
Advocates for criminal justice reform argue that alternatives to incarceration, such as probation, parole, and diversion programs, should be considered to reduce the high incarceration rates. This is particularly important for non-violent offenses and for juvenile offenders, where incarceration has been shown to be less effective and can even increase recidivism rates.
The debate on the effectiveness of the American criminal justice system's reliance on punishment versus rehabilitation continues, considering the various impacts of mass incarceration on society and individuals involved.