...How would you define prison environment? Prison environment is cramped and confined and a dangerous environment. There are many inmate customs, etiquette or rules to abide by, or a convicted individual may be subjected to physical harm or death. The most obvious characteristic of the prison environment is the absence of privacy. The absence of privacy is a deliberate punishment, lavatories are within the individual cells are within three feet of the individual’s cellmate. It is difficult if not impossible for an inmate to be completely alone during incarceration, there are only three places an inmate can be at any time, his or her cell, the common housing area, or on the yard (Foster, 2006). How does prison environment influence institutional management and custody? There are many cliques in the prison environment generally separated by race or gang affiliation. These cliques influence the institutional management and custody in a variety of ways. General management and daily interaction of inmates must be respectful and sensitive to the race factor. Strategies were developed to combat prison gangs, these strategies include; segregation, isolation of gang leaders, jacketing or labeling and categorizing gang members for intelligence purposes, deprogramming, and placement of gang members in high-security prisons. Special corrections officer response teams were formed to manage inmates. These teams are known as Special Operations Response Team or SORT teams (Foster, 2006)...
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...opinion, I believe that before the 1800s women’s prisons happened to be very developed for the women that committed crimes and caused problems. Before the 1800s, in prisons there happened to be these types of devices that were used, which were called the Brank, and it was used to punish and control the women that happened to be outspoken women and the women that disobeyed their husbands. At this time, things happened to get very bad for women. Before the 1800 century, the type of punishment that was used for women happened to be given in many different forms which really caused problems during this time. Some of the women that happened to be serious offenders happened to be hung or even burned. Plus, there happened to be some women that were sold as slaves to others. Since then women’s prisons have changed completely. If they were to commit a crime they will be punished for it, but they will be punished in the proper way without violating their rights. A number of individuals happen to argue that the 1800 century and the early 1900 century happened to be a period in which the change of the juvenile criminals would have taken place. There were a lot of key features that were in the juvenile justice system which happened to cause tension between the systems of punishment and reformation, plus the separation of all of the juveniles from adults of the criminal justice system. I believe that if there wasn’t a difference between the prisons for the juveniles and adults there would be...
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...national legal systems and our daily lives. However, growing levels of legal and political integration now demand that we broaden our vision of European law to encompass the domestic legal systems of individual European states. Some work has already begun in this regard,[2] but it is only on rare occasions such as this that we can engage in a meaningful exchange of ideas and information on areas of common concern. Criminal justice is a most appropriate and worthy topic with which to begin. In times past, sentencing would not have featured very prominently at a conference of this kind. Back in 1965 when Sir Rupert Cross decided to devote his inaugural lecture as Vinerian Professor of Law at Oxford University to the topic of “Paradoxes in Prison Sentences”[3] he felt constrained to begin with a rather lengthy explanation as to why an academic lawyer might choose such a topic. He referred, for example, to a recent government report[4] which had...
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...Capital Punishment and Crime Deterred Should capital punishment be used in a justice system to deter the level of serious crimes in a society? There have been arguments that capital punishment is the best way to deter crime and arguments that say it is not all over the world. The justice system is in place to keep societies functioning proper, and punish those who hurt that goal, capital punishment is one of the ways that have been aiding in the success. If capital punishment does act as a deterrent for crime, shouldn’t a society use it as a tool for the justice system? However, if capital punishment does not act as a deterrent for crime, then should it be scrapped by the justice system and emphasis be placed on looking for a new way to deter crime? This is more than just a crime deterrent issue because it involves taking a life to save a life. This is an ethical issue of whether capital punishment is the best way to solve the problem, and this has been argued by millions of people all over the world for decades and it is still a highly debated topic to this day. Capital Punishment, also known as the death penalty, is the practice of sentencing a person to execution as punishment for a capital crime after a proper legal trail. It is typically only used as a form of punishment for people who commit serious types of murder. It may not be known, because many countries never actually use it, but there are 58 countries that currently have a form of the death penalty (Unknown, 2010)...
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...The Value of Community Corrections Sharvon P. Woodard Professor: Tiffani Davis Introduction to Sociology January 29, 2012 Society defines community corrections as a set of penalties and sanctions given to people convicted of crimes that are unrelated to imprisonment. Community corrections frequently come in the form of probation or commuted sentencing from a parole board, often upon release from prison. Examples of these penalties include residence in halfway homes, monitoring by reporting centers, work release programs, house arrest, and general community supervision. Community corrections programs serve the purpose of monitoring behavior of the convicted criminal, evaluating the likelihood of recidivism, holding criminals accountable to monitoring standards, establishing rehabilitative programs that serve a positive socializing function, and contributing to financial efficiency goals of the community. The type of corrections program is typically adjusted across a range of factors, including supervision, rehabilitation, and counseling. Each of these interests has the long-term goal of reducing the risk of future criminal activity and keeping the community safe. The most properly functioning community corrections programs streamline punishments with the needs of the criminal based on active assessments and risk awareness (Belenko & Taxman, 2011). The idea is that these personalized programs will ultimately be more helpful than a simple stay in local penitentiary...
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...During the 1800s women who went to prison were considered to be guilty both under the moral law and criminal law. The reason for this is because of the fact that she broke the moral laws society sets for women as well as the criminal law in place for all. There were many ways that criminals were punished during the 1800s; hanging, burning, banishment and slavery. The ones that were committing adultery or even killing her husband were automatically burned alive. Those that had only committed a misdemeanor crime were punished by things such as whippings, branding, and being placed in the stocks. There were even social punishments that were put in place just to promote public humiliation and shame to themselves and their families. There was even a mask like cage was placed over the woman’s face so that their husbands and fathers could punish them for being outspoken, gossiping, and disobeying. It was during the late 18th and 19th century there was a complete change in the way that juvenile criminals were treated. The first was that penitentiary life was extremely hard on the youth that were being imprisoned and therefore doing more harm than good. The second was that when the youth were in the prison with the older adults, they were learning bad behavior and habits from them which would cause further problems later on. The last is that the young people would only be rehabilitated if they were treated better by people that understood the children and how they behave. If there was...
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...Racial Disparity in Sentencing Racial disparity in sentencing in the criminal justice system is a problematic issue. Individuals often believe that racial disparity in sentencing does not exist; however, substantial proof in the criminal justice system proves otherwise. According to statistics of Marc Mauer, “unprecedented rise in the populations of prisons over the past three decades is a six fold increase, resulting in the incarceration of nearly two million Americans.” The breakdown of statistics is as follows: “One in every eight African-American male groups between 25-34 year old is a result of incarceration and 32% of African-American males born to society can expect to spend a term in a federal or state prison if the current racial disparity continues” (Mauer, 2004, p. 79). Four reasons of Racial Disparity The four reasons for the flourishing continuance of racial disparity in the criminal justice sentencing process are ineffective assistance of procedural bars, and council, jury selection and venue, prosecutorial discretion, and juror racism (Tabak, 1999, p. 6). Research documenting states like New York and California prosecutions have board spectrums concerning discretion seeking capital punishment; however, these four reasons apply to cases, which capital punishment is sought. “Capital punishment can be sought for intentional murders which individual may commit during the course of a felony and the intent to commit murder can be formed instantaneously before the...
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...A prison is in place to confine and deprive people from their basic freedoms. A prison is an institution that is part of the criminal justice system that is imposed for the conviction of a crime. A criminal that is charged or going to be charged will be held in a prison if unable to come up with the money for bail. A criminal defendant is also placed in a prison if they are found guilty of a crime (Americanprisonsystem.com, 2009). The penitentiary was a stepping stone in the evolution of the prison. The penitentiary, however, was the first attempt to use confinement as the punishment itself. In England, one of the first models for the modern prison was intended to provide a place of penance for prostitutes. No matter where most of us live in the world the modern day penitentiary has some philosophy and design history. The penitentiary is a place that posted to be clean and healthy for the inmates. In addition, it a place that ensures the punishment the judge gives to the criminals and other punishment while in the penitentiary (Foster, "Chapter 2/The Penitentiary Ideal," 2006). The criminals are able to think about his or her wrongdoing and try to accomplish a change in life while incarcerated. The ideal for penitentiary is to keep the criminals off the streets, so that he or she cannot continue to commit crime in the society. Penitentiary ideal purposes were both secular and spiritual (Foster, "Chapter 2/The Penitentiary Ideal," 2006). A penitentiary had purposes...
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...Criminal Courts Criminal Courts The professional courtroom work groups consist of judges, prosecuting attorney, defense attorneys, public defender, and others who earn a living serving the courts. Schmallager (20010) stated (pp. 269-307). Trail judges duty is to ensure justice he or she is responsible for safeguarding the right of the accused and the interests of the public in the administration of criminal justice. The courtroom judge has authority, ruling of the law weighing objections from both sides, deciding on the admissibility of evidence, and disciplining anyone who challenges the order of the court. Prosecuting attorney has the job of representative of the people in state case against the defendant accused of committing criminal offenses. Defense counsel are trained lawyers who represent the accused as soon as possible after arrest and ensure the defendant civil rights are not violated during the process by the criminal justice system. Defense attorneys defend criminal defendants in the United States it can be a private attorney, court appointed, and a public defender lawyer. Bailiff is an armed law enforcement officer who ensures order in the courtroom, announce the judge’s entry into the courtroom, call witnesses, and prevent the escape of the accused. Bailiffs in federal courtroom are deputy U.S. marshal. Trial court administrator’s job is to facilitate the function of the courts in particular judicial districts of areas. Court reporter crate an accurate...
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...Rehabilitation in prison is more like rehab for criminals who are serving time in prison. Every prisoners in prison are supposes to go through rehabilitation before they are release back into society. Sometime prison rehabilitation does not work and prisoners are release back into society without being rehab proper. In many case, prisoners return back to prison because they do not receive the proper rehab in prison the first time they were in. I believe that prison is not the best place for rehab because prisons seem more like a place where people have to do where they have to do to survive. Many prisoners do not think about rehabilitation in prisons because they are too busy thinking about how they are going to survive in a bad environment. I also think that many prisons destroy people before they rehab them. Many people who have serve time in prison normally go right back in when they get out of prison. I know many people who have serve time in prison and soon return because of what prison life have turn them into. I think that prison need to really think about rehabilitation a little more than just trying to keep prisoners lock up forever. Prisons seem more like a cage for animals than a place where criminals go to get rehab. Many prisoners do not get rehab and others become more of an animal than a person that is trying to do right in life. I am not saying that everybody in prison does not get rehab but, rarely not that many prisoners get the rehab they need while in prison. If prison...
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...Capital Punishment By Kegan Schmicker 11/1/2011 “This man took a life. He took a lot of things. My mom was a lot of things to a lot of people. He took her away from a lot of people and left a big hole in a lot of people’s lives as well as deprived her of the pleasure of living.” These words come from the daughter of the victim, Rebecca Patton, who was shot execution style seven times because of a botched ransom attempt. How many times do you think Rebecca Patton pleaded for her life before she was shot and killed by her murderer? Should the court exercise mercy on the defendant because he now “understands” what he has done and regrets his decisions? Should the convicted killer be given the opportunity to live his life behind bars with the ability to visit with family, make friends, play sports, and/or educate himself even though he intentionally took those very things away from another individual? In an effort to explain why the death penalty is justifiable and civil I will be providing the pro arguments to the death penalty based on its justifiableness and morality. I will also examine the death penalty as a civilized punishment for mankind and why it is appropriate to exercise. The case that I noted above took place in the state of Texas and the verdict of the case was to execute Lesley Gosch, the defendant, for the crimes he committed. The execution of this criminal seems both justifiable and civil in this case due to its uniqueness. The victim in the case became...
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...Capital Punishment – For Or Against Scott Cameron Phase 4 Individual Project ENGL125-1203B-08 Dana LaMantia I’m sure you all have your thoughts on Capital Punishment, and whether you’re for or against it. I’d like to share a story with you about Donna Payant, a New York State Corrections Officer, and her killer. Lemuel Smith was an inmate where Donna worked; in 1976, he was sentenced to death for murdering a store owner and his employee, then kidnapping and murdering another woman before he was caught. However, his sentence was later converted to life in prison, sealing Donna’s fate five years later (Irvine, Kincaid,2003). My aim today is to share a few ideas that enforce capital punishment as an effective means of deterring heinous and horrific crimes, providing comfort for victims and their families, and saving the legal system money. Let’s start by taking a look at deterrence. Capital punishment can be looked at from the aspect of deterrence, which is discouraging individuals who may have the intention to participate in homicide. It is also a reference to the criminal, denoting that he may not commit a crime or participate in homicide. Deterrence is summed up by the deterrence theory (Siegel, 2012); this theory requires that individuals weigh the costs and rewards associated with different actions. It’s based on the premise that individuals will choose those actions that translate to greatest reward at lesser costs. The theory also proposes that crime...
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...large majority are non-violent offenders. According to Adam Liptak in his article “U.S. Prison Population Dwarfs that of Other Nations,” “The United States has, for instance, 2.3 million criminals behind bars, more than any other nation, according to data maintained by the International Center for Prison Studies at King's College London.” Americans are often locked up for things such as using drugs or writing a bad check. Sending someone to prison should be our last resort because it’s expensive and can increase risk for future criminal behavior. Yet, even as the crime rates decrease, prisons are still overcrowded. The reason for this, according to the American Legislative Exchange Council in the article “Prison Overcrowding,” is: During the late 1980s and early 1990s, state and local governments passed tough crime legislation. For example, California passed the “three strikes and you’re out” law which called for mandatory sentencing of repeat offenders, and New York adopted the “Broken Windows” strategy that called for the arrest and prosecution of all crimes large and small. Policy such as this led to reduced crime rates, but increased populations in jails and prisons. While mandatory sentencing laws are being passed, laws criminalizing an increasing number of behaviors are also being passed. The result is that, not only are judges forced to send people to prison in cases where it might not be necessary, but they are forced to do so because there are...
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...Many offenders within the prison system, when released, must follow up with a parole officer. There can be many different conditions of parole placed upon the offender. The Parole Commission assigns these conditions of parole to assure that the parolee will live a life without crime or assist him or her to do so. The parolee may have to gain suitable employment, attend rehab, report to their parole officer at certain times or even wear a device that allows the offender to be monitored electronically. The parole system interacts or affects the Criminal Justice System in many ways. Are there ways to improve the effectiveness of this system? What does the future hold for this organization and its impact on the Criminal Justice System? History and Creation In June of 1910 there were three federal penitentiaries. Due to the enactment of legislation, federal prisoners began receiving parole on June 25th of 1910. The Parole Board, at this time, consisted of the warden and the physician of the prison and the Superintendent of Prisons of the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. Each prison had its own parole board. In May of 1930, however, a single parole board was established. This board consisted of three members that served full-time and were appointed by the Attorney General. In 1945, the board started reporting directly to the Attorney General. Then in 1948, two other members were appointed to the parole board due to the increase in the prison population. The parole board...
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...commit a crime, because others were punished for similar crimes and do not want to deal with the punishment if caught. The philosophy of rehabilitation is when the criminal justice system tries to end criminal behavior by “curing” offenders of breaking the law. (Meyer & grant, 2003) Under the philosophy of rehabilitation a crime occurs when a criminal or “sick person” commits a crime. The person has a physical illness, psychological disorders, or a social disorder that causes them to commit these criminal offenses. The offenders that the system deems rehabilitated are paroled and released from prison. (Meyer & Grant, 2003) The philosophy of incapacitation often involves physically restraining offenders from victimizing others. (Meyer & Grant, 2003) Incapacitation also means to prevent crimes and isolating offenders from the rest of society in prisons. When offenders are placed behind bars they are not able to victimize other people in society....
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