Premium Essay

Corrections Issues

In:

Submitted By alaskabacker
Words 1878
Pages 8
Correctional Issues
Janet Peralta, Latisha Smith, Michael Winters, Sarah Berry, Trent Neffendorf
CJA/394
November 24, 2014
Becky Killian-Willis

Correctional Issues
Introduction
The issues of mandatory sentencing have been affecting the prison forecasts, tax revenue, over-crowding in prisons, as well as flooding the court systems and backlogging cases. Mandatory prison sentences take the discretion away from prosecutors, as well as judges. An Inmate who is sentenced under a mandatory sentence does not qualify for early release, good time while in prison, and in most cases, the offender is not required to complete any supervision after release, due to the fact that he or she has fulfilled the obligations of his or her sentence. Several states, including the State of Oregon, have introduced legislation to reform their mandatory minimum sentences. With budgetary constraints in the volatile economy, the government cannot afford to continue to incarcerate individuals without the ability to modify sentences, supervision, etc.
How courts are affected by mandatory minimum sentences
Congress, as well as some of the state legislations introduced mandatory sentences in the 1970s and 1980s. These mandatory sentences forced the court system to hand down fixed prison sentences to those convicted of certain criminal acts. The lawmakers felt by enacting these sentences then it would help in the battle against the drug trade and hopefully prevent individuals from entering. However, while it did assist the courts in certain areas it has also been detrimental to the court system. According to "Prisonpolicy.org" (n.d.), the mandatory sentencing laws did six things they are: “1. Judges can’t consider the facts of each case. 2. The type and weight of a drug primarily determines sentence length. 3. They remove checks and balances. 4. They encourage and reward those who

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Cja 394 Week 4 Indiv. Assignment

...Correctional Trends Evaluation Contemporary Issues and Futures in Criminal Justice CJA/394 The paper will evaluate the past, present, and future trends that have had a profound affect in the development and operation of institutional and community-based corrections. The need of prisons and prison administrators is most important in the criminal justice system therefore, the paper will identify the current and future issues today. In addition the paper will evaluate the corrections system as a developing trend pertaining to the issues and the role of alternative corrections. Development and Operations of Institutional Corrections In prior years the development of institutional corrections left nothing to the imagination. The perspective of development and operations of institutional corrections is one fact that the facilities’ inmates were housed in the conditions were dark and fifthly. Inmates were treated harshly, and worked extremely hard. Today the development and operations of institutional corrections play a part where constitutional rights are in affect. Inmates today although the prison systems are overcrowded they are with constitutional rights. One constitutional right an inmate is entitled to today is health care. The prison system today functions differently. Rules and regulations are enforced but not by the hands of the facility but by the law. Facilities today although overcrowded are no longer dark, and fifthly. Inmates...

Words: 1445 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Corrections Trend Evaluation

...Corrections Trend Evaluation Tomas Gonzalez CJA / 394 February 4, 2014 Alfredo Cooke Corrections Trend Evaluation In this paper I will evaluate the past, present and future trends pertaining to the development and operation of institutional and community based correction. As part of the evaluation I will identify and analyze current and future issues facing prisons and prison administrators today. I will also identify and analyze the role/issue of alternate correction systems as a developing trend. Trends within the criminal justice system continue to influence the development and operations of institutions and community-based corrections. As mandatory sentencing laws can cause an increase in prison population, prison administrators face a daunting task in addressing the issues that overpopulation causes. “Apart from the highest priority of addressing prison population growth, prison managers are often confronted with an array of issues relating to imprisonment practices and their consequences” (Greenfeld, Beck, & Gillard, 1996, p.9). Development and Operations of Institutions The development and operations of institutions appears to operate around two opposing philosophies if punishment versus rehabilitation. The evolution of the development of corrections past, present and future has seen many changes throughout the inception of prisons. In the past the trends for prisons were solitary confinement with little concern for the rehabilitation of inmates. The well-being...

Words: 1117 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Corrections Trend Evaluation

...Corrections Trend Evaluation Diana Robles CJA/394 August 13, 2012 University of Phoenix Corrections Trend Evaluation There have been many different and difficult trends among the justice system. These include many issues and controversy over centuries. We as society now learn and comprehend that our justice system is improving within time and developing a different theory to analyze in a better way what can be done to keep improving it. An evaluation will be described including the past, present, and the future of what is now the development and operational of the institutional community is based on corrections. As well as the issues and the future issues that prison and prisons administrators and the way the correction systems are developing within different trends. Past, present and future The past a, present and future trends that pertain to the development and operation of institutional and community that are based on corrections is for example the perspective that is been used today (Muraskin &Roberts, 2009). “Get tough on crime “is a viewpoint that has created a continuous development and increasing in the prison that have continual into the twenty first century (Muraskin &Roberts, 2009). As time keep passing by and society keeps changing, justice system is going to be moving more towards treatment orientation (Muraskin &Roberts, 2009). As well as community corrections will be improved and prolonged more (Muraskin &Roberts, 2009). Earlier in the years...

Words: 959 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Poilce

...Corrections Trend Evaluation In this paper the objectives that will be addressed are past, present and future trends of corrections. Also, analyze current and future issues facing prisons and prison administrators as well as the roles and issues of alternate correction systems as a developing trend. In today’s society the jails and prison pretty much function with the same protocol. In the past the history of the State prisons began at the Walnut Street Jail in 1790, it was the actually first American penitentiary located in Philadelphia. Punishments such as the pillory and hanging were carried out in public. In the past, the Old Stone Jail in Philadelphia held old and young, black and white, men and women all together. In Chester County, the English custom of charging for various other services was also in force, fees for locking and unlocking cells, food, heat, clothing, and for attaching and removing irons incident to a court appearance (Prison Society, 2012). The act of 1790 brought about sweeping reforms in the prison and authorized a penitentiary house with 16 cells to be built in the yard of the jail to carry out solitary imprisonment with labor for “brutal offenders.” As time and years went by mishandlings and joblessness stopped. The Walnut Street jail became a showplace, separating the different sorts of prisoners and workshops providing useful trade instruction. The more reforming of the jails and prisons occurred the more they got crowded (Prison Society, 2012)...

Words: 310 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Corrections Accreditation and Privatization Paper

...Corrections Accreditation and Privatization Paper Corrections Accreditation and Privatization Paper Accreditation is a process in which is conducted to grant accredited status and to increase accountability for an employment organization. Corrections accreditation is standards to help keep prison procedures, policies, and operations in order. With such standards, corrections officers are better professionally developed. The American Correctional Association (ACA) has a department that specifically targets professional development. “The Professional Development Department consists of four sections: Grants, Contracts, and Cooperative Agreements, Conference Programming, Training and Technical Assistance, and Educational and Training Products” (READING: Chapter 8 in Corrections). Its goal is to change the attitude and mindset of corrections officers from just having a job, to being considered a professional. I believe that industry leaders can plan for a better correctional officer professionalization and accreditation by improving training. I can presume that many times correctional officers are not considered 'real' law enforcement because of the lack of training and also because the funds are not often supplied as readily as they are for and given to the other agencies of law enforcement. Privatization is a rational and contemporary unravelment to the issues of overcrowding and immense costs facing the U.S. prison system. A plethora of states are distinguishing this, arranging...

Words: 384 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Work Place Violence

...STATISTICS • The Bureau of Justice Statistics • Statistics from 1992 to 1996 • National Crime Victimization Survey and The Bureau of Labor Statistic III WORKPLACE VIOLENCE A LAW ENFORCEMENT ISSUE • Responsibility of Law Enforcement • The impact and ramification • The direction of Law Enforcement IV WORKPLACE VIOLENCE A CORRECTIONAL ISSUE • Correctional facilities a breathing ground for violence • Domestic violence to workplace violence • Introduction of a new program V WORKPLACE VIOLENCE A PRIVATE SECURITY ISSUE • The direction of Professional security • The scope of Professional security • The challenge of Professional security INTRODUCTION Initially, when we consider crime and violence the average American may envision or think of the inner city streets, area populated by “lower class status”, and poor neighborhoods. They may even think of sub cultural conflict, or conflict overseas. Then when asked what causes violence, the average American may consider poverty, racial disparity, ineffective families, substance abuse, and the list goes on. In most cases the average American maybe right, in their estimate of crime and violence. However, we tend to avoid or exclude the issue of crime and violence in the workplace. Workplace violence has become an issue that should be well thought-out, as a major concern or problem, and a contributing force to the overall violence. The textbook explains that, “The latest available data show that each year more...

Words: 2433 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Prisons

...Jail and Prisons Archie Parks CJA/204 November 27, 2011 Ross Thompson Jail and Prisons Introduction Prisons and Jails play an intricate part in the criminal justice corrections system. They are responsible for housing and rehabilitating some of the United States most dangerous criminals. This paper will explain the different types of prisons explain prison concepts and discuss why jails are important in the criminal justice system. In addition, prison strategies for dealing with violent behavior and the role parole plays in the strategic handling of inmates. Types of prisons There are four types of prisons within the United States Criminal Justice system. Each of the four types are stated below: 1. Local Prison: Local prisons within the United States criminal justice system are commonly referred to as Jails. Jails are used by cities to detain persons who have been accused of committing a crime while awaiting trial when bail has not been granted or cannot be paid. County Jails can detain prisoners for up to 18 months. 2. State Prisons: State Prisons are prisons who maintained by the state and used to house criminals who have been convicted of violating state statutes. State prisons are maintained and managed utilizing funds from the state budget. 3. Federal Prisons: Federal Prisons are used to house criminals who have been convicted of violating federal laws. Federal prisons are maintained by the Federal Government and are maintained and managed using...

Words: 1271 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Sdfasdf

...than leaders. As wardens become more educated, the formal structure of modern prisons is likely to resemble a large, private organization with an established hierarchy and defined responsibilities. When governments confine people, they assume certain responsibilities toward them, including provision of constitutional living conditions, thus avoiding law suits and court interventions. Other management issues, such as classification, custody, and control, are also a high priority for modern prisons. During the last several decades, there has been a move toward professionalization in—moving from custody to control to care. Achieving scientific, uniform, and successful administration of public punishment through professional development is the goal of the American Correctional Association. In this professionalization effort, issues such prison health care, privatization, and diversity of incarcerated populations are the frequent focus of correctional studies. This Week in Relation to the Course This week, you focus on the functions, policies, and procedures of corrections. There are many critical pretrial functions that are considered a part of the correctional process. Correctional personnel assist in...

Words: 860 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Lawlerprison

...than leaders. As wardens become more educated, the formal structure of modern prisons is likely to resemble a large, private organization with an established hierarchy and defined responsibilities. When governments confine people, they assume certain responsibilities toward them, including provision of constitutional living conditions, thus avoiding law suits and court interventions. Other management issues, such as classification, custody, and control, are also a high priority for modern prisons. During the last several decades, there has been a move toward professionalization in—moving from custody to control to care. Achieving scientific, uniform, and successful administration of public punishment through professional development is the goal of the American Correctional Association. In this professionalization effort, issues such prison health care, privatization, and diversity of incarcerated populations are the frequent focus of correctional studies. This Week in Relation to the Course This week, you focus on the functions, policies, and procedures of corrections. There are many critical pretrial functions that are considered a part of the correctional process. Correctional personnel assist in...

Words: 860 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Cyber Crime Team

...Cyber-Crime Article Analysis Team D June 12, 2013 CJA/394 Cyber-Crime Article Analysis Cyber-crime is an increasing type of crime locally and globally. Cyber-crime is defined as, “criminal activity or a crime that involves the Internet, a computer system, or computer technology,” ("Cyber-crime," 2012). Law enforcement, courts, and corrections are affected in different ways by cyber-crimes. Law enforcement faces issues with cyber-crime, such as privacy, confidentiality, determining the location the crime initiated, and locating the perpetrator(s). Courts face issues, such as loss of evidence and loop holes in laws. Correctional facilities face internal cyber-crimes and overcrowding as a result of cyber-crimes. The following information will discuss the issues within each division of the criminal justice system and provide remedy recommendations. The information will conclude with an analysis of global crime. Cyber-crime and Law Enforcement Cyber crime has made a major impact on the law enforcement it has not only given them more things to have to worry about but also has helped them to solve and organize crime better. The internet has changed so many things about this world, from how we purchase things, how we keep in touch with one another, and of course how some can conduct crime. Not only can a criminal stalk someone, but they can also stalk that person’s child, especially at sites like Face Book. A Hacker...

Words: 1524 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Jails and Prisons

...Jails and Prisons Jails and Prisons Jails and prisons play an important role in criminal justice. Although each serves as a part of the governmental legal system, jails and prisons are different from one another. Each community has a jail and each state has a prison. In my county the jail well known is the Kitsap County Jail and the state prison that we know mostly of is the Washington State Corrections Center for Women. I will discuss in detail the differences between Kitsap County Jail and the Washington State Corrections Center for Women. Within the paper, different topics will emerge that will explain the different types of prisons, aspects of culture and subculture inside prison, correctional programs, violence inside prison and the roles of jails in criminal justice. Jails and prisons play one important role and that is obtaining those who are offenders of the law. There are two types of prisons, federal and state. Federal prisons are for those who are convicted of federal criminal offenses, such as fraud and houses inmates for longer periods of time. State prisons are for those convicted of state criminal offenses. In the United States, prisons have traditionally been distinguished by the following custody levels: high security, maximum security, medium security, low and minimum security. High security prisons hold the high risk inmates, those who are at risk of escaping for example. The prison has the inmates in their cell 23 hours a day, and releases them...

Words: 1079 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Rehabilitation

...Rehabilitation Paper Zahra Howard CJA 234 Professor King June 14, 2014 Rehabilitation Paper Each day in the United States, the correctional system supervises over six million of its residents. Approximately two million people are in prison or jail, while four million are on probation or parole. With so many people under its control, a central policy issue is what the correctional system hopes to accomplish with those it places behind bars or on community supervision. A simple response might be that the purpose of these correctional sanctions is to punish the criminally wayward. Since the inception of the American penitentiary in the 1820s, however, corrections has embraced as an important goal the transformation of law breakers into the law-abiding that is, rehabilitation or treatment. At times, the goal of reforming offenders has been dominant; at other times, its legitimacy and usefulness have been challenged and its influence on correctional policy diminished. But even today, after a period in the late 1900s of prolonged advocacy of getting tough with criminals, rehabilitation remains an integral part of the correctional enterprise and continues to earn support among the public in the United States. To begin, probation refers to adult offenders whom courts place on supervision in the community through a probation agency, generally in lieu of incarceration. However, some jurisdictions do sentence probationers to a combined short-term incarceration sentence immediately...

Words: 1177 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Sentencing Paper

...been found guilty of a crime, a judge has to decide a sentence that the offender must receive. Sentencing is imposing a criminal sanction by a judicial authority. Each year there are thousands of criminals that appear before a judge or judges to be sentenced for their crimes committed. Sentencing descriptions are primarily for felony offenses, or those that are punishable by less than one year of incarceration. Mandatory minimum sentences, three strikes laws and sentencing guidelines frequently require specific sentences, with little consideration of personal factors regarding offenders, their crimes, and victims. The state and federal court system have similar and different objectives of punishment. The state and federal corrections system are affected as a system overall....

Words: 1115 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Criminal Justice

...whether the juvenile justice system should focus its limited resources on rehabilitation or punishment to curtail the rising statistics in juvenile delinquency. It is my belief that the juvenile justice system should primarily focus on the process of juvenile rehabilitation as opposed to strictly punishment. This paper will include an assessment of law enforcement, court processes, probation corrections, and community services as well as the intervention programs currently available to increase the incidents of juvenile delinquency. In this paper the subject to examine is both sides of the spectrum and try to show that the process of rehabilitation, rather than just straight punishment will provide a more effective solution to the problem of juvenile delinquency. I will be examining some of the arguments that oppose the views of rehabilitation over punishment and attempt to prove that the arguments for punishment are not as valid as those for rehabilitation. This paper will also provide evidence to support the claims that rehabilitation is a more effective way to resolve some of the issues which that are apparent in the juvenile justice system. Juveniles who complete rehabilitation instead of being punished for their crimes are less likely to commit new...

Words: 2127 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Criminal Justice

...Criminal Justice and Society CRJ 201 Melissa King Corrections is most relevant to the Eighth Amendment of the . The Eight Amendment, which states, “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” This prohibiting the federal government from imposing excessive bail, excessive fines or cruel and unusual punishments, including torture. Laws should be applied to persons equally, without discrimination on prohibited grounds, such as gender, nationality, handicap, or age. In criminal cases, fair procedures help to ensure that an accused person will not be subjected to cruel and unusual punishment (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Eighth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution&oldid=634211903). One theory that is based on why crime occurs and how corrections use it is the social learning theory. This basically states we are a product of our environment and that crime is learned. For example, if a person grows up in a neighborhood of crime, where his/her parents have a criminal history, it is more than likely he or she will end up committing a crime as well. Going to jail or prison would probably not be an issue for them, because he/she only knows this sort of lifestyle, and probably expected this outcome in their future ( Smith, 2012). Another theory that is based on the cause of crime is conflict theory. This theory is based on the conflict of opposite groups. For example, the poor against...

Words: 837 - Pages: 4