Most people know very little about prisons in America. However, most people also have vivid images and impressions derived primarily from the popular media. Movies have presented Cagney and Bogart participating in riots and trying to break out of 'stir'. More recently, The Green Mile and The Shawshank Redemption have presented more nuanced depictions.
In political debate, discussion about prison is cast as liberal versus conservative -- coddling versus harsh and swift judgment. The predominant voice in discussion of prisons calls for longer sentences, restriction of privileges, and elimination of parole and clemency. The call for an alternative approach has little political clout and is represented best by the ACLU and Amnesty International. Political office seekers (if they address the issue at all) call for austerity budgets and a 'tough on crime' approach.
Thus, prison reform is generally a back-burner political issue, apart from appeals to public fears and misinformation about crime and violence.
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