...explosion in female incarceration rates, growing 832% from 1977 to 2007 with an astounding 4% of women in state prisons and 3% of women in federal prisons pregnant at the time of admittance (Women’s Prison Association 4). Lives are at stake. Every court decision, every judgment cast, effects more than just the individual involved. The future is dependent on how society treats the present. In order to combat the crisis, it is vital to understand its origins and its impact; from this understanding, alternatives that consider the health and well being of all involved can be formulated and delivered. The United States has less than 5% of the world’s population, but boasts the overwhelming figure of almost a quarter of the world’s prisoners (Liptak 1). With nearly 2.3 million bars, one in 100 American adults is locked up. “Criminologists and legal experts here and abroad point to a tangle of factors to explain America's extraordinary incarceration rate: higher levels of violent crime, harsher sentencing laws, a legacy of racial turmoil, a special fervor in combating illegal drugs, the American temperament, and the lack of a social safety net” (Liptak 1). Another crucial point is that U.S. sentences are longer and more harsh than the rest of the industrialized world. This is devastatingly true, especially in regards to the drug war. The shocking rise in the feminization of the U.S. prison system is linked to the punishments for non-violent offenses. The Women’s...
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...programs that are offered to both women and men in the prison system. MALE AND FEMALE PRISON DIFFERENCES 3 A prison is a supervised facility for adults that have committed a crime. These facilities house both women and men. The housing structure for men and women are different. The women prisons do not have the heavy armed guards, watch towers or the high barbed wire fence (Schmalleger & Smylka, 2013,p 351), that we all are so use to seeing, when we ride past the men prisons. With the rise in women being jailed, for the crimes that they commit, it is only a matter of time, before the structure will change. “Between” 1980-1999 the incarceration rate for women out -weighed the men. During that time the incarceration rate for men was 303 percent, and for the women it was 576 percent (Austin, Bruce, et al. 2001). Although the incarceration rate has increased for women, the men still out-weigh the women, when it comes to men and women being in prison (Schmalleger & Smykla, 2013). The prisons, like other correctional facilities are designed to reform and rehabilitate their prisoners. Part of the rehabilitation processes are services and programs that they offer the men and women. These programs include, but are not limited to; education, recreation, physical, and mental health care. However, programs offered like mental health and substance abuse, are limited to the females because the program model is designed for men (Covington, 2001). There are several...
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...are nearly 2.1 million violent female offenders annually in the United States (Greenbelt et al. 2000). Three out of four female violent offenders commit simple assaults, and three out of four female violent offenders attack other women. The incarceration rate for women is increasing at nearly twice the rate of men (Gater, 2005). Some risk factors contributing to the increase in criminal behavior among women include spousal abuse, substance abuse, and mental illness. The treatment of female offenders is becoming an increasingly important issue. Female offenders are often incarcerated in facilities designed for male treatment and rehabilitation needs. In the past, it was considered that male and female inmates had similar treatment needs, but as correctional administrators become aware of the increasing numbers and the differing needs of female offenders, they must re-evaluate the available treatment programs and begin to implement revisions to the management of program plans. It is now clear that differences in treatment between women and men within the judicial and correctional systems often have harmed rather than helped women (Harris 1998). In addition, Harris (1998) adds that evidence continues to grow of ways in which women’s experiences have been tied to their race and class, as well as the part of the country in which they lived and other personal characteristics. Research suggests that female offenders differ from male offenders on many factors relevant to rehabilitation...
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...Do Prisons Work? Can Individuals be Reformed or Rehabilitated through Incarceration and Treatment Programs. Critically examine the Current Treatment Programs offered and Subsequent Impact on Recidivism upon Individuals being released globally and WA specifically. This study will examine the effectiveness of current prison treatment programs in Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia, United States of America in rehabilitating or reforming an individual and coinciding recidivism rates upon a prisoners release. Prison based treatment programs for sex offenders in Western Australia, New South Wales and New Zealand are examined and recidivism rates compared. Treatment programs for offenders with drug and alcohol issues and the various strategies within the criminal justice system such as diversion, education and drug court programs are examined and differences explained. Rehabilitation programs such as education, life skills, employment and cognitive behavioural treatment are explained and research discussed. Conclusions will be drawn outlining programs with the highest level of recidivism both in Western Australia and globally. The “nothing works” mantra (Martinson) 1974, is seen to be refuted and treatment is seen to be successful when it is matched to the criminogenic needs of the offender (MacKenzie, 2006). Future recommendations are made in regards to the need for correctional staff to assess each offender as an individual with different needs, and to therefore...
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...JAMILLAH DUGAN GRADE 11 Forms of Marriage Monogamy (the union of one wife to one husband) is the prevalent form almost everywhere. Polygyny (or polygamy; having several wives at one time), however, has been a prerogative in many societies . It is commonly found where the value of women's labor is high and may be practiced as a way of acquiring allies: A man may cement his bonds with several other men by marrying their sisters or daughters. Polyandry (having several husbands at one time) is rare, having occurred infrequently in Tibetan society, among the Marquesas of Polynesia, and among certain hill tribes in India. Patterns Of Courtship Courting under Filipino tradition gives very big importance on the value of respecting the woman and her family and strictly adhering with proper rules set by society for pursuing a lady. When the approval is obtained, the suitor can then come to the house with the go-between who will initiate the introductions to the family. The parents in turn will introduce their daughter to the gentleman. In this stage, the suitor is expected to bring "pasalubong" or gifts to the family and a special one to the girl he likes. This he will have to do everytime he visits the girl's house. In the Philippines, when you court a lady, you have to court her whole family as well. In this first visit, the couple will not be left alone on their own to get to know each other. It will just be an informal chatting and introduction and getting-to-know stage...
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...transition, refugees, North Korea 1. INTRODUCTION emphasis on the dramatic shifts that occurred as the state socialist system broke down during the famine of the mid-1990s and the country experienced “marketization from below.” We then turn to an examination of the sample, household economics and the implications of the fact that North Korean women have been disproportionately involved in marketization that the state has sought to limit, control and even criminalize. Women are not differentially prone to arrest and do not appear to receive distinctly worse treatment than men. Indeed, there is evidence that the police exercise relative restraint toward the middle-aged married women who figure prominently in retail trading. But women’s higher levels of market participation make them...
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...Since she never married or had children, Emily feels trapped in her role as the town spinster ("A Rose for Emily"). The narrator of “The Yellow Wallpaper” is diagnosed with a nervous condition, and that is the reason she has been confined to the room with the yellow wallpaper where she is forbidden to read, write, or even have visitors. Women during this time are seen as overly-dramatic and not as smart as men. Since her husband is also her doctor, the way her husband isolates her possibly leads to her condition worsening later in the story. According to Esposito, “In the late nineteenth century, "women's diseases" such as "hysteria" were often associated with actions or emotional responses that were seen as inappropriate for women.” As well, doctors in the nineteenth century knew little to nothing about mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. This means that although the narrator of “The Yellow Wallpaper” may not have been mentally ill to begin with, her isolation caused her to mentally decline. As well, Emily’s emotional response to the death of her father and the passage of time causes her to be labeled as crazy by the citizens of the town. Eventually the isolation causes her to become mentally unstable enough to kill Homer. The limiting ideology of the time period causes Emily to actually develop a mental disorder. The narrator...
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...Adolescent Substance Abuse Isaiah.R 3/27/14 In society today, a common problem among teenagers is the use of drugs. Teen age years are probably the most challenging periods of life. It is a stage of finding yourself versus confusion of knowing oneself. Belonging and being accepted in a group seems to be very important, as well as being “cool”. Troubled, teens turn to things such as drugs to help Suppress or ease the emotional/mental pain of things such as the common rejection. During these years of maturing, teenagers encounter their share of positive and negative experiences. Peer pressure, curiosity, and the availability of drugs are some of the factors that youthful and vulnerable teenagers have to cope with in their young lives. One of the significant reasons for teenage drug use is peer pressure, particularly from the influences among friends, acquaintances, school, and the media. If a teenager’s main social group is using drugs, then there is a strong pressure due to the fact that drugs are present and can easily be offered. Also, the person might get convinced to think that there is nothing wrong with trying drugs because “everybody else is doing it.” In the effect that teenagers will try drugs just to fit in the social norms, they might do it to impress their buddies to be considered “cool” as part of being in the group and gain acceptance by friends. The issue of using drugs is everywhere in this country and around the world. It’s available and accessible...
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...United States alone (Kamen, et al., 2012). Black heterosexual men (BHM) are seldom mentioned in HIV prevention research, policy, and interventions, despite evidence that heterosexual contact is becoming the leading exposure category for BHM (Bowleg & Raj, 2012). It is important to identify the risk factors and treatments available for African Americans with HIV/AIDS. HIV Prevention Research Black heterosexual men (BHM) are not usually discussed in HIV prevention research, policy, and interventions, despite the fact that heterosexual contact is the leading exposure category for BHM. This is the main reason for the study. The effect of HIV/AIDS on BHM include the "down low" myth, BHM's lives in terms of poverty, unemployment, and incarceration, and a...
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...It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back: The War on Drugs, Mass Incarceration, and a Call to Action for America's Black Youth By Carl L. Young An Alternative Plan Paper Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science In Sociology: Corrections Minnesota State University, Mankato Mankato, Minnesota Spring 2013 Final Draft 4/20/2013 1 This Alternative Plan Paper has been examined and approved by the following members of the Examining Committee. _____________________ Dr. Leah Rogne, Advisor _____________________ Dr. William Wagner _____________________ Dr. Penny Jo Rosenthal _____________________ Dr. Nadarajan Sethuraju ________________ Date 2 Abstract This alternative plan paper examines the circumstances that have evolved as a result of the Reagan Administration’s War on Drugs and the increase of mass incarceration of the Black community. In the last thirty years, the federal government of the United States of America has engaged in campaign known as the “War on Drugs,” which has involved a variety of policies to stop the production, distribution and sale of illegal narcotics. Hundreds of billions of dollars have been spent in a war that has targeted the most vulnerable in our society, impacting its youth for generations to come. This alternative plan paper addresses the impact of the War on Drugs and the criminal justice policies that have impacted the life chances of Black youth nationwide and calls for a new social movement...
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...Americans, along with many other Americans, came together and began an unequal fight for equality that lasted two decades. Martin Luther King Jr., a Baptist minister and civil rights leader, became known as one of the most inspiring figures of the movement. He advocated for nonviolent civil disobedience and delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in August 1963. The march drew over 250,000 people and is considered a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement. Malcolm X, another prominent figure during this time, advocated for Black empowerment and initially promoted violent self-defense as a means to achieve civil rights. However, he later renounced violence and emphasized the importance of education, self-discipline, and self-respect before his assassination in 1965. Rosa Parks, often referred to as the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement,” played a crucial role in initiating the Montgomery Bus Boycott and became an international symbol of resistance to racial segregation. She...
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...Substance Abuse Treatment Substance abuse is considered a maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress as manifested in a twelve month period by at least one of four criteria: (1) recurrent substance use resulting in failure to fulfill major obligations at work, school or home (e.g., poor performance at school or work, neglect of children or younger siblings); (2) recurrent substance use in hazardous situations (e.g., driving while intoxicated); (3) recurrent substance-related legal problems (e.g., DUIs); and (4) continued substance use despite having recurrent interpersonal problems related to substance abuse (e.g., arguments with family members about consequences of intoxication) (Sussman, Skara, Ames, 2008). The most commonly abused substances include alcohol, tobacco, and illegal and prescription drugs. Often times, a user will develop an addiction to one of these substances. When an individual abuses a substance or develops an addiction, and require the use of a rehabilitation service, he or she may either be voluntarily or involuntarily admitted, such as through the Department of Corrections or drug courts. Substance abuse treatment has proven to be a successful rehabilitation tool. Empirical evidence has shown that substance abuse treatment is a cost effective method for addressing substance abuse and that treatment is effective in limiting substance abuse, criminal activity, and improving quality of life outcomes...
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...Substance abuse is considered a maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress as manifested in a twelve month period by at least one of four criteria: (1) recurrent substance use resulting in failure to fulfill major obligations at work, school or home (e.g., poor performance at school or work, neglect of children or younger siblings); (2) recurrent substance use in hazardous situations (e.g., driving while intoxicated); (3) recurrent substance-related legal problems (e.g., DUIs); and (4) continued substance use despite having recurrent interpersonal problems related to substance abuse (e.g., arguments with family members about consequences of intoxication) (Sussman, Skara, Ames, 2008). The most commonly abused substances include alcohol, tobacco, and illegal and prescription drugs. Often times, a user will develop an addiction to one of these substances. When an individual abuses a substance or develops an addiction, and require the use of a rehabilitation service, he or she may either be voluntarily or involuntarily admitted, such as through the Department of Corrections or drug courts. Substance abuse treatment has proven to be a successful rehabilitation tool. Empirical evidence has shown that substance abuse treatment is a cost effective method for addressing substance abuse and that treatment is effective in limiting substance abuse, criminal activity, and improving quality of life outcomes for as many as five years...
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...Social Entrepreneurship Social entrepreneurship is the process of pursuing innovative solutions to social problems. It provides unparalleled platforms at the regional and global level to highlight and advance leading models of sustainable social innovation. It identifies a select community of social entrepreneurs and engages it in shaping global, regional and industry agendas that improve the state of the world in close collaboration with the other stakeholders of the World Economic Forum. Social entrepreneurship is about applying practical, innovative and sustainable approaches to benefit society in general, with an emphasis on those who are marginalized and poor. It is a term that captures a unique approach to economic and social problems, an approach that cuts across sectors and disciplines grounded in certain values and processes that are common to each social entrepreneur, independent of whether his/ her area of focus has been education, health, welfare reform, human rights, workers' rights, environment, economic development, agriculture, etc., or whether the organizations they set up are non-profit or for-profit entities. It is this approach that sets the social entrepreneur apart from the rest of the crowd of well-meaning people and organizations who dedicate their lives to social improvement. About organizational models * Leveraged non-profit ventures The entrepreneur sets up a non-profit organization to drive the adoption of an innovation that addresses a market...
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...NORML-National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws By Abigail Galicia PID: A09469570 POLI 100E Final Paper Prof. Galderisi 12/13/2012 Abigail Galicia POLI 100E Galderisi 12/13/12 Final Paper NORML-National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws “It’s NORML to Smoke Pot.” How is NORML organized, and how does it pursue its policy interests? I. Introduction. The issue of the legalization of marijuana has been a hotly-debated and increasingly bitter confrontation among Americans. On the one side lie those who oppose everything about the drug and believe it to be a threat to society’s health and well-being, while the other side is composed of “the millions of smokers, many of them well educated, successful people who resent being defined as criminals for using what they regard as a mild but enjoyable drug (Anderson 3).” Both sides—for and against the legalization of marijuana—have presented proper research and evidence on either the virtually harmless or life threatening effects of marijuana along with either the economically beneficial or detrimental effects drug policy reform will have on the US. Either way, this debate has gained political momentum in the past decades and can no longer be seen as one-sided. Fueling this debate and whole-heartedly representing the pro-marijuana lobby organization, is the interest group NORML. NORML stands for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws and has been the top main advocate in leading the...
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