What was a primary issue with the Antebellum prison system in the South?

A primary issue with the Antebellum prison system in the South was indeed the concerns about government involvement. During this period, there was a significant reluctance among Southern states to take an active and reformative role in the operation and oversight of prisons. Many leaders believed that prisons should operate with minimal government interference, leading to a lack of structured reform and attention to the treatment of inmates. This resulted in facilities that were often overcrowded, poorly managed, and lacking in adequate resources and rehabilitation programs.

In contrast, high crime rates were a consequence of various social factors but were not an inherent issue of the prison system itself. The idea of strong state support for reforms was not prevalent during this time, as many Southern states resisted adopting progressive reform movements seen in the North. Lastly, while funding might have been an obstacle, the primary concern centered on the philosophical and political views related to government oversight and intervention in prisons. Such concerns stifled the necessary advancements that could have improved prison conditions and inmate care during the Antebellum period.