Script+and+Reflection

What do you believe to be the major issues within today’s prison systems? I believe that the purpose of prison systems today is to focus on punishing crimes, and only punishing. While we certainly cannot ignore this part of the system, there needs to be much more work and effort contributed to the larger, long-term project of rehabilitation. Right now, there is simply too much effort poured into keeping the criminals contained, and no help is given to those who are willing to change and conform to society. This forms a vicious cycle. Once released from prison, the prisoners are likely to have no to little education and job training, and this, combined with society’s views, make it almost impossible to find a reliable job. Therefore, they are forced to again resort to crime in order to support themselves and their families, landing them once again in prison. Statistically, using government aid and money in rehabilitation will lessen the life-long crime of individuals and save money in the long run (although there will be an initial increase in cost). The leading experts in this issue are W.C. Bailey and Ronald W. Smith, who co-authored the essential book, "Punishment: It's Severity and Certainty," a source that was extremely helpful in my research. The each have also authored other publications on the same topic, which I highly recommend in researching anything related to this issue. How does the severity of the sentence in relation to the crime committed effect crime deterrence? This is something that can be measured in the age of a criminal. In juvenile crime, the courts are likely to be sympathetic and assign a shorter sentence. Studies show that if that the same crime in the same situation is committed by someone over the age of 18, a stricter sentence is served. Yet statistically, there is virtually no difference in the recurring crime rate of that individual over the life time. They are likely to commit the same number and severity of crimes despite the severity of their first, initial offense. This proves that the punishing factors that are meant to encourage the convicted to not commit a crime again are ineffective, and proves that other/ further measures are necessary to create a better functioning population.In a survey of criminals convicted to the death penalty, 85% answered that they would have committed the crime regardless of facing the death penalty. States with the death penalty, such as Ohio and Florida, actually have higher percentage average crime rates than states without the death penalty. This demonstrates that the death penalty does not act as a crime deterrent, as it was originally intended to do! What paradigm does this issue fit into? This fits the sociological perspective of the social-conflict and the structural-function paradigm. Social conflict paradigm is defined as a theory that sees society as an area of inequality that generates conflict. Prison is where most who have major conflicts in society end up, although it is debatable weather society causes this conflict or not. My project is especially representative of this structural-functional paradigm, because the thesis argues that prisons are intended to/ should be used as a tool to lessen crime and improve society, and for this reason we must improve certain programs and abandon the death penalty, and then society will end its discrimination against reformed criminals. How successful are programs, and what seems to work? Do you have any example of case studies? In one success story and woman has set up an nonprofit organization called a New Way of Life, and provides housing for formerly incarcerated women. A CNN hero, her full story can be found at []. One successful program is to allow families and inmates the chance to reconnect and visit more often. In the words of one inmate, “It taught me to be open and honest about a lot of things other than parenting…” (an inmate at SCI Smithfield). By strengthen the bond between parent and child, the inmates learn essential lessons about love and forgiveness, and can attempt to reconnect to humanity and society. Pennsylvania’s Prison Society is a founder of the Inmate Family Services, assisting over 8,000 inmates and their families. Other groups include the Re-Entry Services, which have successfully helped over 20,000 inmates in job hunting and re-entry into the community, The Restorative Justice Program is offender oriented, and has brought restorative justice to over 400 men and women in five prisons.