...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...
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...The Rational Choice theory implies that individuals who commit crimes commit them after contemplating the risks of getting caught and the pending punishment, along with the rewards of accomplishing the criminal act. However, individuals who do not commit a crime decide that accomplishing the criminal act is too risky and not worth the reward. In other words, whether you are a criminal or not, rational thinking takes place, based on this theory. The Deterrence theory implies that if a punishment is severe, certain, and swift enough a would-be criminal will evaluate the gains and losses prior to participating in criminal acts. There are two elements to the Deterrence theory, general deterrence and specific deterrence. General deterrence is intended...
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...Crime and Its Relationship to Law Mitch Jones CJA/204 INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE 6/3/2014 James Smith Crime and Its Relationship to Law Crime is conduct in violation of the criminal laws of a federal government, state regulation, or local jurisdiction for which there is no legal justification or excuse. Crime has been around since the beginning of human civilization, from when one caveman bashed another caveman for any reason, originally crime was any action deemed immoral or against the decisions of a collection of people, which usually included the elders. Since then laws have been written to define criminal activity, as well as, the attempt to keep said crimes and criminal activity away from the good citizens of any given civilization. Many theories have been born from the attempt to combat crime before it occurs, and one such theory explains people commit crimes when they consciously decide the benefits of committing the crime outweigh the risks of punishment. The structure to combat crime has been evolving as much as the definition and ways crime can be committed, from the middle ages and the conduct of ordeals to heretical laws from the church and the punishments that were included to modern times of specific written laws, their interpretation, and the attempted rehabilitation of criminals to be functioning members of society. Modern structure of the criminal justice system include the police, courts, and corrections to provide a continuity to the system...
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...The Future of the Juvenile Justice System In 1899 the first separate Juvenile Court system opened in the United Sates. The Juvenile Justice system design was to separate juvenile delinquents from adult criminals. Documentation proves that juveniles do not have the maturity level or the responsibility level of an adult to receive the same punishment as adults should. Juvenile Justice System main focus is rehabilitation as a replacement for punishment in which the adult court system focuses on punishment. The juvenile system methods are based on causation theories throughout history. However, with new trends comes new theories and with new theories comes a new wave of both rehabilitation techniques and designing those techniques to fit each juvenile personal needs; proving that change is in need throughout the different areas of the juvenile justice system. Community Community helps juveniles in different ways. Juvenile law will place them accountable for their actions. The community can help to hold the youths accountable for each of their delinquent actions. The community could help intervene by providing an effective intervention for the offender and to have the child protection protect the neglect or abused juveniles (The future of children). Each community should help develop different programs that will help with juveniles. Detention centers should become more productive to help the juvenile and prevention centers should develop more resources. The community could focus...
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...Competing Theories of Corrections Ruth Cushman American Intercontinental University March 11, 2012 Competing Theories of Corrections Correctional theories are series of interrelated propositions or assertions that attempt to describe, explain, predict, and define criminal behavior. There are many different theories that have been created over the years to help explain the relationships between criminal behavior and punishment. The theories of corrections have no doubt changed and shifted over the years, the more people began to understand the rationale behind criminal behavior. Several centuries ago, criminal behavior was once thought to sin guided by the devil or evil spirits, and most often was punished by hanging, beheading, or burning the offender. Then, around the time of the American and French revolutions offenders began to be seen more as highly rational beings who intentionally chose their own courses of action (Schmalleger, 2012). Contemporary sentencing stems mainly from the Classical School theory. This theory stated that criminality, rather than being caused by evil or some higher beings, was actually the result of the bad choices people make of their own free will. The other competing theories of corrections besides the Classical School, prevalent in today’s prison system are retribution, deterrence, restorative justice, and rehabilitation. According to the Classical School theory, the punishment should...
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...Running Head: CORRECTIONAL THEORIES 1 Competing Theories of Corrections in The Criminal Justice System Nicole Yaniero AIU Online Running Head: CORRECTIONAL THEORIES 2 Abstract In today’s system, there are several competing theories for what approach should be taken to improve the correctional system. Certain strategies, such as punishment and rehabilitation, have different goals. These goals, in most cases, are different from each other. People all over prefer one strategy to the other, and compelling evidence can be brought into perspective for each. Aside form the usual, non traditional aspects and approaches to fixing the corrections system are also talked about today. This paper will discuss all elements of corrections theories, its goals, its effectiveness, and the rating of completion of academic and vocational programs offered to inmates in prison. Running Head: CORRECTIONAL THEORIES 3 Competing Theories Of Corrections In The Criminal Justice System In today’s day and age, many views and criticism take place of the Criminal Justice system. In specific, the correctional aspect of the system receives much of this criticism. There are two strategies particularly that come into play most often when speaking of corrections. These two strategies are punishment, and rehabilitation. Each of these strategies have its own set of goals...
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...Criminal Justice System Nancy Donis CPSS/210 February 29, 2016 Stephen Gillespie Abstract In this week’s assignment I am to define crime and its relationship to the law. And the most common models of how society determines which act are criminal, describe the government structure as it applies to the criminal justice system, Identify choices theories and the assumptions regarding the crime, describe the components of the criminal justice system. Below I will explain all of the questions for this assignment. Criminal Justice System Define crime and its relationship to the law, and the most common models of how society determines which acts are criminal. Crime is when someone does an action that violates the criminal law of the state, county or city you are in. The crime someone that does a harmful act not only to an individual or individuals but also to the community, society or the state. It can be anything from murder, rape and theft. Society determines which acts are criminal by what the society considers to be safe and normal and it can be determined by how society interacts. What society determines or beliefs what is normal is differently judged in different countries and also the penalty of the crimes. For example the United Arab Emirates implemented capital punishment against all law offenders. In the Islamic Kingdom alcohol is considered illegal. Malaysia implements mandatory death penalty on seven ounces of marijuana. Describe the government structure as...
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...The Criminal Justice System: Offenders, Crimes, and Correction/Detention Cost Nateshia R. Bush Dr. Mary Parker Independent Study April 16, 2013 Introduction The criminal justice system today in America has many different sides, which come together to keep the overall peace of society. The criminal justice system deals with the different offenders, classifications for crime, and types of punishment for such crimes. The system is responsible for maintaining the constitutional rights and overall freedom of citizens, which some take for granted daily. It is a fact that crime exist for different purposes; however, it is more important to know laws are required to make certain societies function in a peaceful manner. When criminals break the law, other individuals are paid to make sure justice is served within the community. Paying these public servants comes at a cost to the community through tax dollars. Police officers, Judges, Lawyers, Court Clerks, Bailiffs, Correctional officers, Wardens, and more have jobs due to the existence of crime and these people work together to provide safety within our communities as well as retribution and treatment for different offenders and their individual needs. Crimes exist on a regular basis within our communities, which employs significant cost on the general public to cover the cost of maintaining inmates in correctional and local detention facilities. Crime has a broad range in occurrence, which ranges from simple traffic...
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...Future of Corrections Heather Rhodes Angie Guzman Lady Cruz Jessica Olguin University Of Phoenix CJA/394 February 8, 2012 There has been a great amount of change in the philosophy and practices of sentencing and corrections in the past 30 years. In the first seven decades there was a strong emphasis on rehabilitation that lasted until 1970’s. The focus on rehabilitation gave way to the focus on fairness and justice which was considered the “just deserts” model. Then the sentencing practices moved on toward a crime-control model which became extremely popular in the 1980s and 1990s. These changes lead to the sentencing practices that are used today and focus on four major goals; retribution this refers back to the just deserts model meaning that people who break the law deserve to be punished. The three other goals deterrence, incapacitation and those most favored one rehabilitation all of these have their own effective emphasizing methods used to protect the public. The get tough on crime perspective is where the sentencing stage is at currently this has caused an increase in prison populations. As the population and the population of minority groups in the justice system continue to grow it is likely that we will move toward a treatment orientation, and community corrections will be enhanced and expanded. Retribution is one of the first philosophies corrections followed. This model refers back to the just desserts model, basically that people who break...
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...define crime, its relationship to the law, and the two most common models of how society determines which acts are criminal. Also is important to describe the government structure as it applies to the criminal justice system. Furthermore, identifying the choice theories and their assumptions in regards to crime is important. As well as describing the components of the criminal justice system and the criminal justice process. In addition, identifying the goals of the criminal justice system is essential when talking about criminal justice, and addressing thoughts on whether the criminal justice system is really a system. Defining a crime and its relationship to the law is an important component when talking about criminal justice. In fact, according to University of Phoenix, CJi Interactive, crime can be defined as “conduct in violation of the criminal law of the state, the federal government, or local jurisdiction, for which there is no legally acceptable justification or excuse.” Meaning, that every crime depends on the location of the person who broke the law, which the same suggest that a person’s behavior may not be consider a crime depending on the status of the person who committed the crime, and even why this person broke the law. Consequently, society determines which are criminal acts depending on the behavior or the person. Which, according to CJ interactive “crime should include many behaviors that are not defined by laws or the political process. It views...
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...Criminal Justice System CJA/204 Crime is an omission or act which violates laws that results to punishment of an individual. The specific omissions or acts that constitute a crime are determined by the governmental bodies from the area you live. At any given time you will most likely be subject to three sets of laws. Defined is the first set federal statute. Outlined by the state government where you live is the second set. The third set is laws enacted by local government. If conflict ever arises in local rule or state in federal law generally federal law will control. The crime or offense level will usually be set from how sever the crime. Paying a fine to being incarceration can be the range of punishment. Law means a set of rules, regulations and principles by following which the society runs. Before you can be punished for the conduct most crimes require that you complete an affirmative act. Relationship between crime and law is without the strict enforcement of the law crime cannot be prevented. The two most common models on how society determines what acts are criminal are Due Process Model and Crime Control Model. Due Process highlights rights of a group of people and an individual’s right. Courts, quality, formality and individualization are the important issues that ensure the respect of due process. Crime Control is the efficient maintenance for safety of a community. Police, quantity, informality, and standardization are considered important...
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...particular, address the contributions of Beccaria and Bentham to the debate about punishment and the impact of these contributions in modern corrections? Jennifer Summers Student Number: s2888608 Course: 2007CCJ Course Convenor: Dr John Rynne Course Tutor: Lisa Thomsen Due Date: 4th April 2014 Date Submitted: 4th April 2014 Criminological theories research and investigate a number of social and individual issues pertaining to the causes of crime, law and punishment. Classical criminology refers to a period of time known as the Enlightenment during the 18th century. The classical school was body of ideas with regards to the restructure and reform of punishment in the 18th century (Hyland, Gomez & Greensides, 2003) by a group of European philosophers and scholars, including Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham. These two classical thinkers were at the forefront of criminal law and penal reform. This essay seeks to explore the role that Beccaria and Bentham had in the debate about punishment in their time and how their contributions have impacted modern corrections. To understand the contributions that Beccaria and Bentham made to classical criminology, it is fundamental to understand about the social conditions that existed when they were writing. The classical thinkers were rebelling against an arbitrary and corrupt system of law, in which the judges held and absolute and tyrannical power over those who came before them (Hyland, Gomez & Greensides, 2003). Confessions...
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...ßCorrections Review Questions Sept 22,2014 Corrections Imani Threalkill 1. How did the term corrections evolve from the earlier use of the term penology? Penology is the study of the use of punishment for criminal acts. Penology emphasized the principal function of implementing punishment in the handling of criminal offenders after their sentencing. Corrections are defined as the range of community and institutional sanctions, treatment programs, and service for managing criminal offenders. 2. What is the mission of corrections? To protect society accomplished through a combination of surveillance and control of offenders, rehabilitative services, and incapacitation during the services of a prison sentence. 3. Describe the operation of the Walnut Street Jail as the first American prison. Walnut Street Jail was one of hard labor, strict discipline, religious study, and solitary and silent confinement. 4. Describe the differences in the Pennsylvania and the Auburn systems. The Pennsylvania System known as the separate and silent enforces inmates not to see or talk with each other meaning less production from inmates, which was very expensive to operate. More staff was needed. Impossible to keep inmates from talking. Only 2 states decided to keep this system (New Jersey & Rhode Island...
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...whether or not it is actually a system. Crime and its Relationship to Law As defined by the Oxford dictionary, crime is defined as “An action or omission that constitutes an offense that may be prosecuted by the state and is punishable by law.” The two most common models of how society determines which acts are criminal are the Consensus model and the Conflict model. The Consensus model supports the idea that the makeup of the criminal justice system from police to corrections and the methods of obtaining information to criminal punishment are in agreement in working to achieve the same outcome. This is done through the cooperation of all parties involved, each striving for a common goal. The Conflict model supports the individual person and/or agencies in which the benefits of the system are personal with disregard to others involved. Success is determined not by the system as a whole working together, but rather, the individual obtaining a pay raise, notoriety, and the ability of their personal achievements. This model’s success is focused more on the individual rather than the sum of the parts. Government Structure and its application to the Criminal Justice System Within our society, the government has structured itself in a way that allows for the proper process of preventing, identifying and dealing with crime. The three main areas include the police, the courts and corrections. From a warrant and arrest, through pre-trial and trial activities and...
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...criminal justice process has shaped the laws of this country into what they are today from the concerns of politicians and government leaders as far back as the 1800s with crime control. (Wilt, Harman, 2012)The criminal justice system consists of three main parts Legislative create laws adjudication courts corrections jails, prisons, probation and parole. In the criminal justice system, these distinct agencies operate together both under the rule of law and as the principal means of maintaining the rule of law within society. Crime is conduct in violation of the criminal laws of a state, the federal government, or a local jurisdiction for which there is no legally acceptable justification or excuse. This can be an action or an instance of negligence that is deemed major to the public welfare or morals or to the interests of the state and that is legally established. Crime is any specific act by law for which the society has provided a formal use upon each person punishment. This can include the failure of a person to perform an act specifically required by law. Crimes relationships to the law are several of them such as, criminal laws. The criminal laws pertain to crimes and punishment; however this justifies the relationship between crime and the law. The two most common models of how the society has determined what acts are criminal by what society itself considers normal. This is defined by how society interacts within itself. This leads to laws that pertain to the locality that...
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