Sociology

Comparative analysis of various prison systems across decades have assisted in positive transfer of knowledge leading to modifications in penal policies and overall improvement in the administration and organization of correctional system, which are always in transition, (Wilkinson, Bucholtz,  Siegfried, 2004). Although similar in structure but greatly different in terms of advancement, comparing the developing Mexicos and the developed United States correctional systems undoubtedly provide new knowledge in the area of incarceration.

The US and the Mexican correctional systems are similar with both having both the state and federal correctional facilities. Mexico has 31 states each of which maintains a prison system known by the acronym of CERESO or Center for Social Re-adaptation, (South  Weiss, 1998). The prisons form a branch of the State departments social re-adaptation directly under the governors office.  Similarly, of the American 50 states, each maintain a number of correctional facilities, (Wilkinson, Bucholtz,  Siegfried, 2004).

Institutions and Management
Comparative to American correctional institutions, Mexican prisons are poorly constructed, have below average standards of hygiene, with prisons having less than adequate medical care. South  Weiss 91998) observes that in one prison, there were 10 showers and toilets to serve 1250 prisoners, furthermore the sewage system was found to be incredibly antiquated and during rainfall, raw sewage would flood facility buildings.  Mexican prisons also lack prison rehabilitation programs.

Mexican prisons have a medical staff which are few in number hence coupled with insufficient medical supplies and below standard equipment, the prisoners medical conditions remain poor.  As at present, it is a fact that the crowded conditions in Mexican prisons fall short of the minimally acceptable standards of human decency, (South  Weiss, 1998). The management of the American correctional facilities remains more efficient due to the existence of a centralized record keeping, (South  Weiss, 1998). Research into Mexican correctional facilities revealed that prison criminal records were not computerized both at the state and federal levels

Population and privatization
Presently, the United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world with the ratio as at January 2009 being 754 inmates for every 100,000 U.S residents, (Wilkinson, Bucholtz,  Siegfried, 2004). A total of 2,304,115 inmates were being held in the US prisons as at December 2008 with up to 70 being non white.  Based on records, USA has the most documented prison and jail population in the world, a contrast to the Mexican system. Wilkinson, Bucholtz,  Siegfried (2004) notes that due to the reluctance of Mexican prison officials to allow researchers into their facilities, there exists not up to date information with regard to the population comparative to the American system.

The proportion of those detained and convicted within Mexican correctional facilities are however relatively similar with estimates from 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 being 49.22 and 50.77, 48.20 and 51.79, 47.80 and 52.19 and 47.08 and 52.91 respectively. Unconsidered in the Mexican system, the American correctional system continues to consider and implement privatization of prisons, (Wilkinson, Bucholtz,  Siegfried, 2004). Majority of proponents argue that privatization leads to cost reduction, improved standards of care and better management of the overall system. Private prisons in the United States have been noted as being more flexible furthermore contracts with the government can be terminated more easily, (Wilkinson, Bucholtz,  Siegfried, 2004).

Security levels
Due to the existence of non-trained guards and low staff-to-prisoner ratios (for example a CERESO in Reynosa with over 2000 prisoners has a guard staff of 90 personnel) security levels within the Mexican prisons are far below those of the American correctional facilities. Lack of computerization and centralization of prisoners records coupled with uneducated and poorly trained prison officials has led to poor security within facilities, (South  Weiss, 1998). The security levels in different correctional facilities in the United States vary in terms of weapons and tactics employed by prison officials, security measures, inmates administration and types of housing. Security within the facilities vary through levels I to V with level I being the minimum and level V maximum or specialized high security units, (Wilkinson, Bucholtz,  Siegfried, 2004). Unlike Mexican prisons in which prisoners are overcrowded in cells, American prisoners usually have one to two-person cells with remote controlled doors furthermore they are provided with better showers, toilets and sinks.

Prison life
South and Weiss (1998) note that, comparative to American prisons the organization and activities within Mexican prisons are a close approximation to the life within the Mexican society in general. There therefore exists clear class and economic distinction with wealthy prisoners purchasing quality amenities, living in relative comfort. Since guards are underpaid, for example in Matamoros, a CERESO near the State of Texas, guards are paid as little as 6 per day and have to work sometimes for 24 hours, corruption is rampant. Furthermore, similar to the American correctional system, Mexican prisoners have access to the opposite sex with the visits being periodic.

There further exists low levels of violence in Mexican prisons in comparison to the US furthermore the problems of institutionalization and adjustment associated with US prisons are greatly reduced. Similar to US prison, high illicit drug consumption has greatly affected all aspects of Mexican prison life leading to escalation of violence and corruption within the system. South and Weiss (1998) affirm that, due to lack of funds for social services, graft from prison resources and among inmates and the prison staff is greatly increased.

A 2008 research by American Watch indicated that prisoners are virtually free to bring into the prisons almost anything so long as administrators or guards are paid furthermore paying off law enforcement officials are not seen as criminal in nature. In majority of Mexican prisons, there are prisoners given the authority to serve as police for other prisoners. South and Weiss (1998) notes that this was evident by the issuance of clubs and other bludgeons for the purposes of controlling other prisoners, a contrasting scenario to the American system in which all prisoners are treated as equals.

Programs
Both the American and Mexican correctional facilities hold a large number of drug addicts, however, although the American CJS has elaborate rehabilitation programs, there are virtually none in Mexico leading to the escalation of the population of addicts following their admissions into these systems.  Personally, the American system has extremely high rates of incarcerations, furthermore, large number of non-violent or innocent victims have been put into the correctional facilities. With an inmate population of over 2 million, and an average cost per state inmate at 66.01 per day (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2009) as of 2008, the US correctional system is spending excessively on correction with minimal effectiveness. Analyzing advancement in the two systems, in my opinion, the American correctional system remains the most effective. With better security levels, advanced administrative system,

Conclusion
Although Mexican correctional facilities are still far below the USs, Mexico has over the past 20 years engaged in an aggressive campaign to improve their correctional system through the standardization of sentences, selecting mechanisms and training of personnel, building appropriate facilities and developing post-institutional supervision systems which was virtually unknown.