Premium Essay

Just Mercy Analysis

Submitted By
Words 898
Pages 4
Just Mercy Essay Mental illness has been a big issue in the United States, over the past century or maybe a little less than a century. Some believe that we use mental illness as excuse to put people in prison to keep us, while some people believe the opposite of that. Bryan Stevenson tackles this issue in his book of Just Mercy. He also tackles what the contributing ideas or factors to the large numbers of mentally ill people in prison. Stevenson’s points support what he says, a story that supports his points is a case that happened recently in Michigan.
Stevenson talks about mental illness and how big of issue it is when it comes to prisons. Stevenson addresses this issue by stating that, “fifty percent of prison and jail inmates in …show more content…
188). By looking at that statistic, Stevenson is pointing out that we are using our prisons as a solution for people with a mental illness, A few factors come into effect to support Stevenson’s point. One factor is what medical professionals usually say about a shooting; they usually end up saying that the mental issues that a shooter or person has burdens them and thus lead to dangerous behaviors. But the mental illness itself is not a reflection of who the person actually is or act like. Stevenson addresses that argument with an argument of his own, by saying that we get angry when people fail to recognize the need for thoughtful and compassionate assistance when it comes to the physically disabled, but because mental disabilities aren’t visible in the same way, we tend to be dismissive of the needs of the disabled and are quick to judge their deficits and failures (Just Mercy pg. 186-202). One other factor is that correction officers are not always well trained to handle mental-health issues. Not every correction officer in America or even the world is perfectly trained, each officer will get trained differently depending on where they …show more content…
Stevenson’s two points of addressing mental illness in prisons are that correction officers are not always properly trained and the way judges judge cases on mental illness are not always accurate because they go by what the medical professional said. The medical professional could be wrong with their diagnosis of the person because they made a mistake by doing a rash action without thinking of the consequences and they did out of fear. The NBC News article is Jamie Peterson who was falsely accused of a crime he didn’t do and was sentenced to life in jail, but got out recently due to the police finally finding the real

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Analysis Of Just Mercy By Bryan Stevenson

...Chapter six of the book Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson begins with Stevenson working late one night in his law office in Birmingham, Alabama. He received a call from a woman whose teenaged grandson had been incarcerated for murder and sentenced to die. Several of Stevenson’s other clients were on death row for crimes they had committed when they were sixteen or seventeen years old. At that time, Alabama held the record for the highest number of juveniles sentenced to death, more than any other state in America and more than any other country in the world. Stevenson couldn’t represent the boy due to his many cases but he agreed to visit him in jail so he drove to the county courthouse and read the boy’s case file. Charlie, a young boy with...

Words: 359 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Just Mercy Chapter Summary

...This week’s reading of Just Mercy reinforces just how corrupt our legal system is. In chapter 8 of Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson makes it apparent that officials mute adolescence voices, as well as people who try and help them. So many children are wrongly convicted because officers know that most children will not stand up for their rights, either because they do not know them or because they see no point in doing so. More importantly, if children do try and question why they are being arrested the officers know that their words will be dismissed because most people do not believe that police officers will arrests children for no reason, however, this happens more than one would like to admit. This wrongful act can specifically be seen through...

Words: 527 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Clinical Informatics

...Analysis of the Clinical Informatics Job Description Ann Miller American Sentinel University Analysis of the Clinical Informatics Job Description What is an Informatics Nurse, an Nurse Informaticist? When people ask me what job that I do and I reply “Informatics”, they get an interesting look on their face. The look is of concern and of that is not what a nurse does. The public is not educated in what this position’s importance really is and that is too bad. What is a typical day like for an informatics nurse like myself? That question is easy. There are no typical days! I can honestly say that this is what I like about my job position. Some days I am going to staff meetings where I am educating on a new process to a page from the floor that a provider needs my help. I have many computer classes to teach for staff, nursing students, providers, and soon 80 or so high school students who will be joining us for the next seven months to learn patient basic care and documentation. In my spare time- I do get some from time to time, I have many projects that I am working on to optimize the electronic medical record. The projects can be getting rid of any paper processes that remain and doing whatever it takes to get them all electronic from the development of provider order sets (Powerplans), to nursing processes, and education. You cannot forget about the education. Education has to come in many formats, including group settings (staff meetings), one-on-one, on-line...

Words: 2676 - Pages: 11

Free Essay

Sermon

...David had a covenant with Jonathan to show love, exceed love and kindness to his family in the event that he, Jonathan dies and David becomes King. 2 Sam 4 and 5 gave an analysis of how David defeated Saul, the death of Jonathan and Saul’s other household members, to become King of Israel. 2 Sam 4:4 recorded the fact that Jonathan had a son Mephibosheth who was crippled on both feet. He was dropped by his Nanny while trying to escape with him in the heat of the war. He was only 5years old. 2 Sam 8:15 emphasized that David ruled over all Israel executing judgment and justice. 2 Sam 9: 1-13. Main Observations: VS 1 – is there anyone in the house of Saul that I might show God’s kindness for Jonathan’s sake. (Note not for Saul‘s sake, Saul tried to kill me, but Jonathan was a covenant brother.) I can hear the echoes of Mercy and whispers of love, the kind of love God showed to you and me that He gave His only son for us John 3:16. And while we are yet sinners, the scriptures says, Jesus Christ died for us. We are all sitting here today as beneficiaries of God benevolence and I can still hear the spirit of God, the echoes of mercy saying “is there anyone among you that needs Gods kindness and mercy. Not anyone who is Rich, deserving, highly placed or educated with many PhD, but anyone who needs mercy of God. I had that call years a ago and instead of anyone I put my name. God gave an open cheque and I wrote my name on it. Paul wrote in 1Cor 1:26-27 – Read God is...

Words: 846 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Religous Poetry Research Paper

...The poetic words of Psalms 23 was written by King David, illustrating God as our Shepherd who provides, leads, protects, and comforts. Religious Poetry Research Paper Psalms 23 The Lord the Shepherd of His People A Psalm of David. 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell[a] in the house of the Lord Forever (Psalm 23:1-6, The Maxwell Leadership Bible). Introduction Jewish liturgical related to the Psalms “Jewish prayer- language reflects the Psalms in mood and style. Israel Abrahams said, “In prophecy God speaks to man, in psalmody man sings to God” [ (The Psalms in Jewish Liturgy, 2012) ]. The Psalms reflect the emotional aspect of the Hebrew people through songs, music, and poetry. The use of symbolism is a...

Words: 2262 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Importance Of Marriage In Marriage

...CHAPTER IV RELEVANCE OF HOSEA’S MESSAGE IN THE CONTEXT OF MARRIAGE TODAY 1. Introduction In this chapter, we shall see how the oracle of prophet Hosea is relevant in the context of marriage today. The story of Hosea’s marital and family experiences is remarkable for the insights it offers concerning the biblical message as a whole. It demonstrates the supremacy of love over law. In this chapter therefore, we shall see how law and love overlap in marriage; this will then be followed by an analysis of eros and agape in the light of Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical, Deus Caritas Est. The basis of the legal maxim “neccesitas non habetlegem” will then be established by looking at the centrality of love in marriage; modelled in the life of the Trinity....

Words: 1327 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Death Penalty

...Hello everyone, this is Estelle Vogel death penalty expert and I would just like to say, Thank you Governor for giving me the opportunity to speak on the death penalty/ controlling crime. I would like to begin my analysis of whether to abolish the death penalty in the state Ellieland by giving my opinion of effectiveness. The definition of effective according to Webster’s Dictionary is “Producing a result that is wanted: having an intended effect.” Now by knowing this definition, the major question is, is the death penalty effective? Does the death penalty produce the desired result that publics want? The desired result is for Capital Crimes to be reduced and for tax dollars to be used correctly. I believe that having a death penalty is place is effective on these terms and without it we will not get the ‘desired’ results. The death penalty keeps society safe, deters other criminals, and it is more cost effective than life in prison. The moral response for all this, is we should protect our law abiding citizens rather than protect our violent, capital crime, offenders. The hardline has to be drawn somewhere and the death penalty is this hardline for effective crime control. Although Mr. Bradley Wilson makes sense of some of his view points, like “Mercy is morally valuable trait.” His views complicate the matter rather than simplify the case. The topic of mercy he uses throughout his five points is too abstract and difficult to debate. For example, maybe it is more merciful...

Words: 1185 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Final Review

...and thinking through issues) * Both deliberate and conscious of challenges of relating Biblical faith to Social issues * Housing and immigration are public policy issues * Daniel devotes a chapter to this question, using “Caesar vs. God” image from New Testament * Micah Shows up in both books (see below) * Differences? * Is immigration more of a “hot button” issue than housing? * If so, do we find different kinds of rhetoric? * Phil comment in class: Does Reckford focus more on system or structures or root causes (next slide) and Daniel more on individuals? * If so, do we have different kinds of solidarity in these two approaches? * Root Causes (“cycle”) of Poverty (structural analysis) (52-53) * Rhetorical device? * Cites 5 of them * “social capital” (56-58) is a rich illustration * Solidarity involves “learning” and “sensitivity” and “collaboration” (60) * Corresponding interventions/Solutions * E.g. “not charity but capital” (Clarence Jordan, cited 54) * 62-63: justice = level playing field (Sen. M. Fenwick, grandmother) * Housing is one of several interventions, but foundational (59) * Note structural components (infrastructure) of this intervention * E.g. ONE Campaign (http://www.one.org/us/) : 1% of US budget against extreme poverty * Immigration as “spiritual pilgrimage” * Religion/Public Square (ch.4) * “Do I believe...

Words: 2923 - Pages: 12

Free Essay

Euthanasia

...University of Warwick School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2010-05 LEGAL FORM AND MORAL JUDGMENT: THE PROBLEM OF EUTHANASIA Alan Norrie Electronic copy available at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1577163 ABSTRACT In this paper, I want to consider the way in which categories of legal responsibility in the criminal law’s general part mediate and finesse broader moral issues around questions of euthanasia. I INTRODUCTION Euthanasia and its close cousin assisted dying represent extremely problematic areas for the criminal law, as the recent guidelines issue around assisted suicide testifies. The effect of these guidelines is to make no official change in the law, yet to make it clear as a matter of practice that where the law on its face has been broken, there will be no prosecution where the defendant was motivated by good moral reasons. On a legal realist vision of law, the law has changed, but on a positivistic reading it has not. What we have in fact is a rather complex and potentially troublesome juxtaposition of legal rule and administrative discretion. This balances strong social, political and moral claims in a society where there is no consensus as to the rights and wrongs of helping someone to die. In this context, the legal realist can say ‘I told you so’, and the legal positivist can cluck disapprovingly, but both miss the point, which is that the law’s messy mixing of messages in a pragmatic compromise reflects the moral impasse in a way that...

Words: 6370 - Pages: 26

Premium Essay

Hip Hop and Women

...apparent that hip hop glamorizes brand names, “fast money”, and women. When women are objectified they are no longer encouraged to amass wealth, instead they are encouraged to simply be with men who have money. By reviewing popular song lyrics of famous hip hop such as Iggy Azalea’s, “I’m so Fancy” and Kanye’s “Mercy”, it is clear that there is a common theme of the obsession of wealth and beautiful women. Hip hop often dehumanizes women as they are perceived as plentiful and a luxury “item”. The modern woman, and women of the working class have no representation in hip hop. Women are further oppressed through hip hop as the average life style of those who cannot afford to spend lavishly are often left out and depicted as envious. Understanding how hip hop and capitalism is related is important to understanding why modern women are oppressed through this genre of music. Consumerism plays a huge part in how lyrics are written in hip hop music culture as hip hop is commonly used by the media to exploit a “recession free” lifestyle. In Steve Yate’s article, “The Sound of Capitalism”. in Project Magazine, Yates describes how we as a nation buy into rap and hip hop as it is not just music it is a way of living. Yates criticizes...

Words: 2844 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Rhetoric

...Raksha Rao Professor James Wynn Rhetoric and Public Policy 2 April 2014 Rhetorical Analysis: Euthanasia Particular Analysis There are three key audiences of the text for William F. May's “Rising to the Occasion of Our Death.” The first audience, in this case, would be legislative organizations or lawmakers who have researched and studied similar cases regarding euthanasia. Since May was as an ethics professor at Southern Methodist University, his tone is decidedly intellectual. An uneducated individual would find it more difficult to read his essay; for example, in declarations such as “Advocates of active euthanasia appeal to the principle of patient autonomy,” May's syntax and tone is formal, informative, and utilizes heavy technical jargon (May 662). In other words, it is authoritative, and enables the audience to view him as a credible source due to his syntactical confidence. Other organizations, lobbyists, or lawmakers who are researching evidence on euthanasia would certainly benefit from reading his expert opinion on the matter. Moreover, his desire to develop a “judicious, regulated policy” is a certain acknowledgement that he is attempting to legally call for regulations on euthanasia (May 662). The second audience that May is appealing to are conservative Christians, who are distinctively pro-life. As his article was originally published in well-circulated The Christian Century magazine, addressing this audience exposes members of May's audience who are...

Words: 3937 - Pages: 16

Premium Essay

Ethics Game Dilemma Part Ii

...Ethics Game Dilemmas Joanne Leetch ETH/316 June 18, 2012 Mary Sortino Ethics Game Dilemmas * In the Ethics Game Dilemmas Part II introduced two situations that needed an ethical decision to be made by management as to the best way to handle the situations. The first dilemma deals with the implication that there might be harassment, by an employee named Bill, going on in the workplace. The employee who may be being harassed, employee named Gayle, requested a confidential meeting to discuss an issue. She did not mention anything about harassment, just a request for a confidential meeting. The second dilemma was in regards to an employee publishing false or inaccurate data based on research that the company had just completed and did not turn out as well as expected. Just like in the first Ethics Game Dilemmas the goals of this game were to: enhance ethical sensibility, increase efficacy in decision making, and increase ability to effectively communicate the course of action needed. The lenses used in the first situation were the Rights and Responsibilities lens and the Results lens. The decision-making steps used in this situation were: Step 1 - Be attentive. The issue in this dilemma was how to answer the employee’s request for confidentiality in the meeting. Step 2 – Be intelligent. The stakeholders that were identified in this issue were the shareholders, the VP of Human Relations, Gayle’s manager (me), Gayle, Bill, and Bill’s manager Step 3a – Be reasonable...

Words: 1117 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Critical Reading

... 1 Mercy College Professor Coleman-Prisco Critical Reading Susan Aiosa CRITICAL READING 2 Reading has at all times and at all ages been a source of knowledge, happiness, and pleasure. When I am given an assignment here at school in my social work classes, sometimes the reading doesn’t seem to be all that sensible. These assignments in writing papers and reading research journals and the information provided within the pages of the articles must be critically analyzed and read. It is vital for me to ensure that the journals, topic information, and authors are all credible. This process is also necessary to make sure that the credibility of the information is professionally supported and held to a scholarly standard. In support of my research topic, I select an article that I have deemed a credible source. Once I have established the articles validity and scholarly integrity, I continue with my researcher’s obligation, critical reading, and understanding the information, which supports the area under study. I will demonstrate this procedure in seven stages that involves the critical reading of research articles. In accordance with the Mercy College Libraries (2015), the initial evaluation of critical analysis consists of checking the author, date of publication, edition or revision...

Words: 783 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Right vs. Right

...7, 2012 in Teaching People I mentioned in my back to school post a couple of weeks ago that I am taking an ethics class this semester. This class is one of the required classes for my behavior analysis master’s program. The class has been pretty interesting so far and each class has been filled with plenty of good discussions and debate. Recently we read a book chapter by Rushworth Kidder called “The Ethics of Right versus Right.” (If you’re interested, the full chapter is actually available for free from the Institute for Global Ethics, although you do have to sign up to get access to it.) Tough choices and ethical dilemmas are often very hard to make. What makes these decisions hard, according to Kidder, is that they are often choices of “right” vs. “right.” Both possibilities have value and merit, yet one must be picked over the other. (Now, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t still right vs. wrong choices. These just aren’t ethical decisions.) The most interesting part of this chapter was that Kidder names four basic paradigms that encompass most of these ethical dilemmas, the right vs. right choices. Ethical choices often involve decisions between: Individual versus community Truth versus loyalty Short term versus long term Justice versus mercy These four basic paradigms can be useful for analyzing ethical choices and realizing what has created the conflict. If you have a better understanding of a choice, then you should be better prepared...

Words: 602 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Roy Analysis in Blade Runner

...Chancellor Instructor Hubbard Liba 102 “Multifaceted” Hampton Fincher and David Webb Peoples’ complex screenplay and Ridley Scott’s use of film noir combine together to produce Roy Batty, a character out of Blade Runner, whose diverse personality reflects Jesus Christ, Adam, and Lucifer. As a result, Roy Batty, is much more multifaceted than the heartless, man killing machine that is seen at first glance by an audience. Because Roy reflects Jesus Christ, Adam, and Lucifer, three religious icons, there is an unlimited amount of religious subtext in the film Blade Runner. Hampton Fincher and David Webb Peoples use these religious allegories to hinder a direct and understandable message from the film’s narrative. Therefore, Fincher and Peoples took their complex writing to a deeper level than most screen writers by denying the audience a straightforward interpretation of Roy Batty. One example is the allegory of the creation story and the fall of man. Parallels from the creation story are seen time and time again throughout the film, which is one way Roy’s character relates to the Biblical character, Adam (Gravett, pg. 38). In the Bible, Adam and Eve were forbidden to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil as it is stated in Genesis 2: 16-17: “And the LORD God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.’"...

Words: 2898 - Pages: 12