Gregory, I too chose indeterminate sentencing as the best method of sentencing. I believe that when it comes to sentencing a person, rehabilitation should be a key factor for the individuals overall being. If there are no programs in place and we just allow people to be released without any form of treatment, then they will just repeat the behavior they have become accustomed to. I also agree as to when you stated the negative effects such as a drunk driver being released sooner after killing somebody due to the treatment they received. What I disagree with though is when you mentioned it becomes expensive for the state. In my opinion, while it
Sentencing disparity within the American Judicial system is a problem that exists across the nation. According to Merriam Webster’s dictionary, disparity means the markedly distinct in quality or character. Many times, disparity is used in conjunction with discrimination as if the two words mean the same, but they do not. Disparity will include a difference in treatment or outcome but is not based on an opinion, bias or prejudice.
Ewing had been convicted of both burglary and robbery approximately seven years before the crime that gave rise to this appeal. When he stole the golf clubs, he was still on parole following his release from prison related to those two felony convictions. Following his conviction in this case, the trial judge declined to exercise discretion and convict Ewing of a misdemeanor only, as he was allowed but not required to do under California law. After determining that Ewing should be punished for a felony offense, the trial judge applied California’s “three strikes" law, where a criminal defendant must be sentenced indeterminate life sentence, which in this case was twenty-five years to life. Ewing claimed that the sentence was disproportionate
Cost of the Death Penalty When it comes to the topic of the death penalty being cost effective. Most of us will readily agree that the death penalty is the most expensive, that it’s a financially impractical punishment for convicted murders. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of whether capital punishment with one execution is more expensive than life a sentence without the possibility of parole, Others maintain that since many law enforcement officials consider that it is an effective deterrent against homicides and a sufficient use of taxpayer dollars. My own view is that those convicted of capital punishment should be sentenced to life imprisonment without getting any parole because it is more cost effective.
Although, for criminals, I do believe that life in prison without parole would be more effective and more appropriate because they will have to suffer slower; they get to think of what they have done and only have the thoughts in their head to keep them busy. Speaking of me though, I would not be able to handle being in solitary for fifteen years let alone for my life. I would gather severe mental illnesses, my physical well being would deteriorate and I would not know how to function as a proper human
1. Static assessments and dynamic assessments are different in the types of information that is gathered. Static assessment data clings to the offender: it changes very little, if any, over time and during incarceration, (Van Voorhis and Salisbury, 2013:114). Dynamic assessments are different. This information can, and often does, change during an offender’s incarceration (Van Voorhis and Salisbury, 2013:114).
Conditional sentences are primarily intended when a person commits their first crime and there is no reason to fear that he or she will re-offend. Probation can be applied to crimes for which fines are considered insufficient. If a conditional sentence is forced, there will be a probationary period of two years. During this period, the person must conduct himself in an acceptable manner. The conditional sentence may be combined with day fines and/or an obligation to perform community service.
Parole is defined in our text as “the supervised early release of inmates from correctional confinement” (Schmalleger, p.388). There can be a lot of drawbacks and failures to this system. There currently is a huge overpopulation problem in our prisons here in the United States. “ A 2012 report by the Government Accounting Office (GAO) found from the fiscal year 2006 to 2011, the inmate population in Bureau of Prisons run facilities grew 9.5%, while capacity grew less than 7%. As a result, BOP’s overall crowding increased during this period from 36% to 39%” (Schmalleger, p.434).
There are individuals who may be successful at changing their path in life and there is a good chance they could make the right decisions. With the four main types of programs provided to inmates such as Life Skill programs, Rehabilitative programs to address issues such as substance abuse, anger management and etc, education and literacy programs to work programs, there is a high chance that members who are successful In the program will not reoffend. Statistically speaking the re-conviction rate for reoffenders is 12% which is a good majority of people who want to better their lives, and an execution would not help anybody succeed with a new life (ND, N. D. (n.d.). 4 types of rehabilitation. ontario.ca).
One possible alternative route to the prison system could be a boarding school type system where convicts are required to participate in an educational program that gives them the knowledge and ability to be released and given the needs to go make something better of the life they have been given. This system where they are required to participate in educational training would come along side a strict rule system that would encourage them to make the decision to choose something better. The debate is whether or not prison is beneficial or not for those who will be convicted, sentenced, and released. Whether we change the system or not there will always be crime and
Deterrence and the Death Penalty: The Views of the Experts. The Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology (1973-), 87(1), 1. doi:10.2307/1143970 This article was written by Michael L. Radelet and Ronald L. Akers. They both consulted experts on criminology and criminal behaviour to evaluate the effectiveness of the Death Penalty.
In Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment, Dostoevsky challenges the concept of crime. Through Raskolnikov’s ability to rationalize murder and evil, Dostoevsky challenges the concept of what a crime is. By depicting Raskolnikov in a way that he rationalizes his acts, it can be understood that the concept of crime is dependent on the situation and the outcome. With this, one can question whether crime will remain as a crime even if it results in the benefit of the majority of the population. In this paper, I will be arguing the concept of what crime is through the situations and the outcomes shown in Crime and Punishment, with the help of true to life crimes.
Life without parole is a better alternative than the death penalty. Sentencing a murder to life without parole (LWP), is much more satisfying as well know that their cruelty will never surround us ever again. Taxpayers well be paying less if we remove the death penalty, LWP will require less resources that what will be provided during the death penalty. Life without parole is a more lenient punishment for people who have brutally mistreated and murder people,
Objectives of sentencing (form of punishment based on a conviction) and the purpose of alternative sentencing. Each sentencing has a philosophy and goal behind it. The first goals of sentencing is the retribution possess which means that every offender is responsible for their crime and is still a primary sentencing for criminals, it's an act of revenge on the criminal offender. Next, Incapacitation is the means of imprisonment or restraint and isn’t considered punishment; consequently, it’s to protect the innocent from the offenders. Deterrence seeks to prevent criminal behavior by threatening the fear of punishment composed by general deterrence that hopes to stop future crimes that was committed or by the specific deterrence that hopes to
There is a worldwide trend in the use of penal imprisonment for serious offenses as capital punishment has been renounced by an increasing number of countries. Harsh punishments include capital punishment, life imprisonment and long-term incarceration. These forms of punishments are usually used against serious crimes that are seen as unethical, such as murder, assault and robbery. Many people believe that harsher punishments are more effective as they deter would-be criminals and ensure justice is served. Opposition towards harsh punishments have argued that harsher punishments does not necessarily increase effectiveness because they do not have a deterrent effect, do not decrease recidivism rates and do not provide rehabilitation.
If the criminals keep getting released early, their mindset would to think that if they got out early once, might as well do it again. They will commit more crimes, whether it be a new one or the same as the last. The point is is that the criminals will not learn from their mistakes and will keep repeating them knowing the consequence wont be that harsh. If the death penalty were to be put in tact, one, there would be more room for the criminals in their housing and we wouldn't have to keep releasing them. And two, the criminals wont have a necessarily chance to keep making the same mistakes because they are either sentenced