Brutal living conditions for the largest prison population in the world

Today, nearly 2 million people are incarcerated, warehoused in cramped spaces that lack fresh air, healthy food, natural light, proper health care, and connection to loved ones. Prisons run with little to no public oversight, leading to abuse. For so many, punishment means not only the temporary loss of liberty, but brutal prison conditions.

As we work to redefine public safety and reduce the largest prison population in the world, we should also ensure people behind bars experience healing, support, and safe living conditions.

Unfortunately, incarcerated people endure humiliating treatment, inhumane conditions, and abusive interactions—which lead to significant trauma and harm people’s efforts to thrive once they leave prison. Tens of thousands of people are forced into solitary confinement or restrictive housing, and extensive research highlights the long-lasting negative effects – without evidence of improved safety – for such practices. Additionally, the brunt of these depressing conditions falls overwhelmingly on Black and Latino people.

It’s time for change. Prisons and jails must be healthy places to live and work. And with nine in 10 incarcerated people returning to their home communities, we should focus on setting our neighbors up for success through education, treatment, and training.

Our criminal legal system must keep all communities safe and encourage healing and restoration.

Incarcerated people deserve to be treated with dignity and experience safety, support, and connection to family and loved ones. We should create a restorative culture in prisons to break cycles of harm.

Restoring Promise, an initiative led by the Vera Institute of Justice and MILPA, addresses this challenge by creating housing units grounded in dignity for young adults in prison.