BOP History & Decline
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- Category: BOP History & Decline
The United States Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) was once a system that, at least at its Minimum and Low-security levels, emphasized rehabilitation over mere incapacitation. Inmates had access to recreational activities like tennis courts and putting greens, the food was tolerable, and individuals were treated with a level of dignity. However, a sensationalized segment on the news program 20/20 altered public perception, portraying an exaggerated version of prison conditions that was far from representative of the entire system.
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- Category: BOP History & Decline
The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has long struggled with balancing security, rehabilitation, and humane treatment. But recent policy changes—particularly those involving inmate compensation and access to basic necessities—have tipped the scale toward dysfunction. By slashing inmate pay by as much as 80% and failing to provide sufficient work opportunities, the BOP has created a volatile economic vacuum within prison walls, destabilizing the very populations it is charged with managing.