Week 8 Blog Prisoner "Power"

In this particular blog our text discusses how the notion that prisoners have any “power” within a prison contradicts the nature of the prison environment. However, some prison sociologists look at prisons as a social system rather than institutions to be governed (Clear, Cole, & Reisig, 2011, p. 345). The notion I have of life inside prison was always based on “inmate balance theory.” This theory to my understanding provides insight on the maintenance of order and prevention of collective violence. In other words for the prison system to operate effectively, officials must tolerate minor infractions, relax some security measures, and allow inmate leaders to keep order. When guards go too far in asserting their power by cracking down on inmate privileges, the delicate balance of shared authority is upset. Which in turn unleashes collective disorder. However, while discussing this specific blog with a friend which is currently a correctional officer at a maximum security prison, she indicated that there is an alternative explanation of prison disorder, which is called “administrative control theory.” This perspective indicates that disorder results from unstable, divided, or otherwise weak management. In my opinion weak management may permit gangs and other illicit groups to flourish. These groups, in turn may help mobilize disturbances. It is noteworthy I mention that my opinion is simply an attempt to distinguish a well-run prison from a substandard prison. Traditionally, there is a set belief on how we believe our prisons should be ran. Most feel a stern environment with very few privileges. However, I believe what is important is governance: the sound and firm management of inmates and staff.   

References:

Clear, T. R., Cole, G. F., & Reisig, M. D. (2011). American Corrections (Ninth ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing.


Banks, C. (2013). Criminal Justices Ethics (3rd ed.) Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publication, Inc.

Week 7 Public Opinion About Punishment

In this particular blog for week seven I chose to discuss chapter seven’s “Public Opinion about Punishment.” When dealing with administering punishment for those who have committed a crime there’s always going to be a difference in opinion. However, the key issues are to find justice for what was unjust. If sentencing and correctional policies were determined by public opinions some might argue that the environment where the crime happened would weigh heavy on the decision made for justice. In other words if a crime happens in a large area with a high crime rate the public may tend to want a harsh sentence with the intent to get a message across. Whereas, in a small less likely crime area the public may be more lenient to punish showing more sympathy to the accused.

Subsequently, the opinions on punishment will always have its different views on how much time an individual should receive as-well-as what kind of punishment that individual should receive. Capital Punishment for an individual has in my opinion been the main focus with the public. Some believe that no person should be able to take another person’s life just because he/she has killed someone. Others feel an eye for an eye… In my opinion I believe that compensation is needed when a love one has been taken because of murder. I feel in order to move on some families feel taking the life of an individual who has killed their love one is restitution. Others not so much…

I just added a must see video that discusses why this blog is relevant to the public’s opinion about punishment. After viewing Anderson Cooper 360 please feel free to address your opinion in this specific case. Is age, race, and wealth the reason why some argue there’s no justice in the Criminal Justice?

Week 6 Blog Defining Terrorism

In this specific blog I chose to discuss terrorism. Terrorism in my opinion is premeditated violence. However, there is no single uniformly accepted definition of terrorism that is applicable to all places and all circumstances. After the events of 9/11 it was clear that disaster can happen anytime and anywhere. September 11 attacks was all the federal government needed for a motive to create a comprehensive plan to synchronize the nation’s preparedness. Although, I believe the incident in New York was handled with a great deal of courage, other may feel different. Some argue how they believe New York first responders handled the incident poorly and it hindered our safety and wellbeing. Compared to the attack to the pentagon I can see why some argue that New York first responder’s response to a crisis was problematic. This in turn, would cause President Bush to mandate a plan to develop a National Response Framework. I believe the United States ultimate goal is to achieve preparedness so the horrific activities on 9/11 will not be repeated. After the 9/11 attack we now have what we call the National Incident Management System (NIMS). This system allows all acting agencies on scene to be on the same page. Without unified command (UC) theirs no structure or a strategy for one incident action plan. Simply stated, in my opinion the partnership between first responders proved a great deal of readiness is important in the heat of battle.

Week 5 Women's Incarceration

In this particular blog for week five, I will be discussing chapter six Women’s Incarceration. The first factor to recognize in the United States, more than one million women are behind bars or under the control of the criminal justice system. Our text book indicates that the Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) is the largest women prison in the world. Inmates at CCWF are classified according to their level of security risk derived from the offense for which they were arrested. It is noteworthy that I mention over 75% of the inmates are classified as low risk (Banks 2013, p.145). When dealing with women being incarcerated research gives information which indicates that 52% of incarcerated women are alcohol or drug dependent. Although the public commonly believes most females prisoners are incarcerated for minor offenses, sentences for petty crime are usually served in jails; prisons hold the more-serious offenders. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, at the end of 2005 approximately 35 percent of female state prisons were serving sentences for violent offenses. What can we say is the reason for so many women being incarcerated? There are arguments which states, “Women care to take role and lack of options forces many into crime to support their children.” If so, what can we do? Assistance with health care is a start as well as affordable housing, and increasing living wages. In my opinion if something is not done quickly the problem will get worse. Simply said, once these women are released from jail/prison many have nowhere to go and must find a place to live, but federal laws restrict subsidize housing for former prison inmates. Now the pressure is back on , and they find their selves back into the life of crime.

 

 

References:

Banks, C. (2013). Criminal Justices Ethics (3rd ed.) Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publication, Inc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRAkoKCqNlo