...Alternatives to Incarceration For the country to save money, they have adopted other alternatives to deal with juveniles that are found on the wrong side of the law. These methods are meant to ensure that the juveniles are rehabilitated into better members of society while at the same time using a cost effective method (Lankford, 2012). For several years the United States has sought to have other methods that serve the same purpose as incarceration that are just as effective. These are methods that have been used and tested over the years that will work to the advantage of the government. There are different underlying historical and economic reasons behind the quest for alternatives to incarcerating offenders in jails and prisons. The main historical reason that has led to seeking...
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...Michigan University Abstract Racial disparities in corrections measured by the black to white per capita incarceration rates vary from state to state, This paper will analyze the current trends and the impact incarceration has on communities of color and how criminal justice policy and practice plays a role in this. According to the Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Statistics, out of a total population of 1,976,019 incarcerated in adult facilities, 1,239,946 or 63 percent are black or Latino, though these two groups constitute only 25 percent of the national population. Some of the greatest racial disparities in rates of incarceration happen in states in which minorities are massed in urban areas, which tend to have both higher rates of crime and greater law enforcement activity. This paper will also discuss how these incarcerations affect the offenders, public safety, criminal policies and procedures. Racial Disparities in Corrections There are many factors regarding the disproportional rates of incarceration in communities of color. Data generated by the U.S. Department of Justice predicts that if current trends continue, one out of every three black males born today will go to prison in his lifetime, as well as one of every six Latino males. The rates of incarceration for women overall are lower than for men, but similar racial/ethnic disparities still apply. Some law makers are looking at ways to develop...
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...following research paper we are going to discuss imprisonment. We are going to discuss why people are incarcerated as well as talk about different alternatives to imprisonment. We will then touch on benefits of each alternative as well as the negative aspects. Alternatives to Imprisonment 4 A look at why we imprison convicts- Imprisonment is defined as “putting someone in prison or in jail as a lawful punishment” (Imprisonment). Ever since the first prison opened in the United States in 1790, incarceration has been the center of the nation’s criminal justice system. The criminal justice...
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...What do you see as some of the advantages and disadvantages of the systems concept of corrections? There are many different ways to look at corrections as systems, to begin studies show that the systems are not very effective and this makes it hard for corrections to have a justified case when asking for money for, prisons, criminal justice policies and new ideas. Although over seven million Americans are now in the corrections system, it is still a misinterpreted field because prior to 1990 no Americans were exposed to corrections. Another disadvantage seen when analyzing corrections is the fact that building prisons doesn’t necessarily mean crime rates will be lowered; examples of this could be New York and Florida. While New York decreased their incarcerations by 16% their crime rate when down double that of Florida’s while the crime rates in the same period of time went up the same amount with a 16% higher incarceration rate. Some positives of the corrections system are that it is a broad and growing field in America and there are many jobs being created in the field. Another advantage to the system is that the field is full of new ideas on how to reduce crime rates while decreasing incarcerations therefore, saving money and lowering prison counts in the U.S. What does Lipsky mean by the term street-level-bureaucrat? Lipsky states that street-level-bureaucrats are social workers that provide higher quality treatment for their clients than what they can afford to. Meaning...
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...Drug Addicts Need Rehabilitation Not Incarceration Drug addiction is a dependence on an illegal drug or medication and unfortunately causes an intense craving for the drug. These cravings can be so extreme that it causes users to find any means possible to get the drug which can easily lead to criminal activity and charges, which ultimately leads to time spent behind bars. Jails and prisons within the United States are already overpopulated, and drug addicts are just adding to the already extremely high numbers. In order to help alleviate this problem there needs to be some changes made with the way addicts are dealt with. Some serious thought needs to be given as to why the justice system chooses to incarcerate addicts instead of sentencing them to court mandated rehabilitation centers. By doing this, the addict would be forced to face the real issue which landed the individual in the situation to begin with, the addiction. Addicts need to be offered some sort of rehabilitation, whether it is inside or outside, only offering incarceration with no rehabilitation should not be an option. Without the addict dealing with the addiction head on, there is a slim chance of becoming productive members of society and a greater chance of making another appearance behind the prison walls. When it comes to whether addicts should be offered treatment or not, and if so where, whether it be in prison or outside, if they should be offered any at all, opinions vary quite drastically. Many people...
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...major obstruction for ex-offenders seeking lawful employment. It is estimated that ex-offenders see a reduction of up to 30 percent in employment rates and 21 percent in earnings. Three main explanations are presented by researchers to explain the consequences of imprisonment in the lives of the detainees. The first one is that incarceration removes offenders from the society. This may interrupt their adult development, which in turn lead to job instability, lower wage growth, and delayed entry into other stabilizing life-course events such a marriage, children, etc. The second explanation is the stigma that occurs with the record of imprisonment and how it limits ex-offenders ability to work. The final explanation is that ex-offenders are more likely to be unemployed and rearrested as a result of preexisting characteristics and life experiences, which imprisonment does little to improve or...
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...The United States is facing a major incarceration crisis. With less than 5 percent of the world’s population, our country incarcerates a quarter of world prisoners, and African Americans represent the highest rate, by far, of those imprisoned. Today, African Americans are incarcerated at a rate that is nearly 6 times that of whites. These numbers are staggering, considering African Americans only represent 12 to 13 percent of the U.S. population; yes, racial disparities in incarceration are very real in America. People of color have been facing disadvantages, disparities and discrimination for too many centuries – still today, 50 years after Daniel Patrick Moynihan’s report on “The Negro Family.” Since the end of slavery, the U.S. has been criminalizing social problems in a way no other country has, leading the criminal justice system to ensnare the most disadvantaged of us all....
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...have found an increasing number in the prison population since the Reconstruction Era. Currently, the United States makes up 5% of the world’s population but holds 25% of the world’s prisoners. Also, according to the NAACP, “African Americans are incarcerated at nearly six times the rate as whites.” (NAACP, 1). When one analyzes all the evidence, the idea of slavery being reinvented in America is substantial. The impact of the thirteenth amendment clause on society as a whole, has been negatively effective. However, the impact of the thirteenth amendment clause on the African American society has been overwhelmingly unfavorable. Many African Americans are not aware of this disadvantage. The clause has been constantly praised in the African American community, therefore it is not viewed as a disadvantage. The appraisal began in...
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...Introduction The prison system in America has been a constant issue of mass-incarceration, a lack of rehabilitation, and a rate of reentry that far exceeds that of any other nation, yet this problem’s escalation has done little to bring it to the platform of reformation. The prison system has cost American taxpayers billions of dollars, and a majority of these citizens are completely unaware of the needlessness of the costs with which they are burdened. With 2.2 million people incarcerated in the U.S., Americans cannot afford to continue to turn a blind eye to the economic issues presented by the current prison system (Council of Economic Advisors 3). Due to prison growth, an increasing incarceration rate, and a lack of rehabilitation and...
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...Juvenile Sentencing Alternatives to Incarceration David Schuster Oakland Community College Abstract There are many different ways to punish a juvenile for a crime that they have committed. The most common is incarceration, otherwise known as jail or prison. This option has many disadvantages. I will explore the different aspects of incarceration: how it affects the juveniles, and if, over all, it is an effective way to punish young criminals. I will then present several alternatives to incarceration, now being used, such as: community diversion, counseling, education, behavior management, probation, as well as other methods that not only punish the juvenile, but also provide an opportunity for rehabilitation. For this paper, when talking about incarceration and community alternatives as sentencing options, I intend for them to be applied to the not as serious juvenile crimes. Status offenses, minor in possession, breaking and entering, and minor burglary charges would fall into this category. However, I think for more serious, violent crimes there is less discretion as to punishment options, and therefore most community alternatives may not apply to them. Keywords: Incarceration, community alternatives, juvenile delinquents Juvenile Sentencing Alternatives to Incarceration Incarceration for juveniles in this country is largely based upon our criminal justice system for adults. As Jeffery Fagen (2010) states in his article, there are many similarities between...
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...Thus, Ms. Reyes is prone to greater harm and negative effects by being denied access to the Program as “the trauma is exacerbated in women with mental health or addiction issues.” Reasons for Decision, at para 41(d). 2) Does the distinction create a disadvantage by, for example, perpetuating prejudice or stereotyping? [13] There is no need to exclude women convicted of crimes involving violence from the Program. To exclude such women would place a disadvantage on the group. As stated in R. v. Kapp: In Andrews, McIntyre J. viewed discriminatory impact through… stereotyping on the basis of these grounds that results in a decision that does not correspond to a claimant’s or group’s actual circumstances and characteristics. Andrews, for example,...
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...Silent Battle: The Effects of Parental Incarceration on Children and Families By: Jessica Stamper The loss of a parent has an overwhelming impact on a child. When a parent dies or there is a divorce, there are endless opportunities to discuss the loss, but what happens when the absence is due to incarceration? Incarceration is not met with the same understanding and sympathy death and divorce are, making it harder to cope, creating additional and often more severe emotional and psychological effects on children. The topic is often considered taboo and this inability to communicate creates more anxiety for the child. They often feel alone, leaving them to suffer in silence. The loss of parents to prison can cause depression and trauma to a child. It compounds the existing environmental stress, such as the violent neighborhoods, poverty and a poor school system. The trend for the incarcerated differs with race, age, gender and economic status. In the same way, the effects on children range from emotional, behavioral and economic aspects. When a parent goes to prison, leaving behind their children, it creates devastating and often lasting effects on the family, as a whole. Equally affected, are the parent or guardian left to care for the children. It is a growing epidemic and with the constant rise of prison population, so does the numbers of families left to suffer the consequences. This paper investigates the effect of incarceration of a parent can have on a family and...
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...Cox also argues that the implications of incarceration for youth employment are three-fold: individuals fail to acquire the correct human and social capital, and they are labeled as deviant (Cox 2010:289). Social capital, according to Bourdieu, pertains to the acquaintances an individual has, and the value of such connections for an individual's perceived qualifications and possibility for all kinds of group support (Richardson 1986). Social capital can benefit an individual in the labor market by providing them with connections to potential employers, which the latter will consider as a positive sign of an individual's trustworthiness (Richardson 1986; Newman 2000). Incarcerated individuals are more likely to cultivate their social capital...
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...The United States of America has the highest incarceration rate in the world. America holds 5% of the world’s population, yet it houses 25% of the world’s prisoners (Walmsley 2013). The approximate amount of spending on our nations prisoners is 74 billion dollars, annually (Silver 2014). With the cost of rising incarceration in the U.S. and climbing recidivism rates, it is more apparent than ever that the American Prison Industrial Complex (“PIC”) is in great need of reform (Wagner 2014). The PIC enforces a recidivism cycle in which more than 50% of prisoners return to prison less than 3 years after release, thus being referred to by the PEW Research Center as “The Revolving Door of America’s Prisons” (2011). Not only is this cycle inflicting...
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...continue to grow in Missouri, there is a solution in site. The solution is a new concept called the Missouri Reentry Process. Prior to the Missouri Reentry Process, inmates were pretty much on their own when they were released. If the inmate was released on Probation or Parole, they were expected to comply with any and all stipulations assigned to them by the Probation and Parole Board. The stipulation were in place to keep track of their progress when returning to society. Some inmates that had been sentenced to short term incarceration, like a 120 day call back or shock time, will greatly benefit from the tools supplied by the Missouri Reentry Process. Many Inmates that were incarcerated for a number of years, were at a disadvantage when they returned to a normal society. The inmates had no idea on how to survive in a ever changing world. They were expected to become a productive member of society and stay out of prison. The biggest disadvantage they faced,...
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