CRIMINAL JUSTICE
"This not judging others really gets me going. If, indeed, there shalt be no judging, them where do we get laws and basic rules of conduct upon which we can all be free and upon which we can count on each other?" (Schlessinger, 1997, p. 61).Counting on each other, as human beings to act and behave within society's norms is what makes a neighborhood, community, public gathering and society in general work peacefully. When someone violates those norms and disrupts the peaceful balance of trust then the process of restoration by law begins. Criminals argue that they are punished to harshly and citizens complain that offenders are not punished hard enough. Punishment for crimes has been around since the beginning of man in one form or another. Retribution for crimes has always been to punish the offender in order to keep them from offending again. The type of punishment formulated and employed is affected by trends in government, economics, history and social movements. The idea of deterrence has been popular since the 1700s such as branding the offenders or whipping and shaming in proportions that would outweigh the benefit of the crime. However, humanitarian movements changed the way offenders were treated, these
Misdemeanor offenders may be offered a diversion process before being convicted of their crime. If they demonstrate a responsible and reliable pattern of behavior while incarcerated the belief is that they will perform in the same manner outside of prison. The possibility of implanting a computer tracking device in criminals who agree to the process is also an alternative way of supervising an offender on probation which would reduce jail terms and overcrowding while allowing the offender a chance at becoming a positive part of their community. Probation rules may be tailored to the offender with control and reform conditions placed upon them (McShane & Krause, 1993, p. Technical programs to teach an inmate job skills that they can incorporate into their lives upon release are beneficial to society in that the offender will have a better chance at being a productive citizen. The threat of return to prison may be enough for some offenders to remain productive and operate within the community's expectations of them. Detoxification and absence from their drug of choice is not enough to reform an offender. New York: HarperCollins Publisher, Inc. Counseling and maladaptive behavior modification programs are to be completed by the offender in exchange for the charges to be dismissed and no criminal conviction placed on them. However if the offender does not complete the requirements or offends again that person will be brought back into the justice system and charged accordingly. Many prisoners have never been employed or have lost their jobs due to criminal behavior and personal issues such as low self-esteem, dysfunctional family lifestyle, abuse, drug and alcohol dependence are all factors leading to criminal activity. Probation is also an alternative sentence option for minor offenses in an effort to deter them from future offenses with the threat of incarceration if violated. Warehousing offenders without providing the tools for reform is an injustice to society with the exception of those offenders who are mentally unable to function without endangering the public's welfare.
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Acceptance Essays
