Assignment Chapter 1: From Theory To Policy Evidence-Based C

Assignment Chapter 1 From Theory To Policyevidence Based Correction

What are the seven main theories of corrections? Explain and give an example of each theory. How To Fix Our Broken Criminal Justice System-TedTalk Please watch the video and give three key points or statements that you didn't know before watching the video. And how can you apply these three points or statement to your life, family, job or community.

Paper For Above instruction

The seven main theories of corrections provide a foundational understanding of how society approaches punishment, rehabilitation, and control of offenders. These theories include the Deterrence Theory, Incapacitation Theory, Retributive Theory, Rehabilitative Theory, Restorative Justice Theory, Expressive Theory, and the Deterrence Theory. Each offers a unique perspective on managing criminal behavior and achieving justice. A brief explanation and examples for each theory follow.

Deterrence Theory

This theory posits that punishment should be sufficient to discourage offenders and others from committing crimes in the future. The primary goal is to prevent crime through the threat of punishment. An example would be strict sentencing laws that aim to deter theft through harsh penalties.

Incapacitation Theory

This approach isolates offenders from society to prevent them from committing further crimes. An example is imprisonment, where dangerous offenders are removed from the community to protect the public.

Retributive Theory

This theory emphasizes punishment as a moral response to crime, focusing on punishing offenders proportionally to their wrongdoing. An example is the death penalty for severe crimes, where offenders are punished because they deserve it.

Rehabilitative Theory

The goal here is to reform offenders through treatment and education programs. For example, drug rehabilitation programs in prisons aim to address underlying issues that contribute to criminal behavior.

Restorative Justice Theory

This approach seeks to repair the harm caused by criminal behavior through reconciliation between victims, offenders, and the community. An example includes victim-offender mediation programs where offenders make amends to those they harmed.

Expressive Theory

This theory views punishment as a way for society to express collective outrage and reaffirm social norms. An example is public shaming campaigns or symbolic acts of punishment meant to reinforce societal values.

Deterrence Theory (again)

Reinforcing its emphasis to prevent future crimes by threatening severe consequences for offenders, deterring individuals and society at large.

Key Points from "How To Fix Our Broken Criminal Justice System" TEDTalk

  1. The criminal justice system often emphasizes punishment over rehabilitation, which can lead to high recidivism rates.
  2. Addressing root causes like mental health and substance abuse is essential for effective crime prevention.
  3. Community-based programs and restorative justice approaches can significantly reduce incarceration rates and support offenders reintegration.

Applying these points to my life, family, job, or community involves advocating for policies that focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment, supporting mental health initiatives, and promoting community programs that foster restorative justice. For example, in my community, I could volunteer with organizations that provide education and mental health services to help offenders reintegrate successfully and reduce repeat offenses.

Discussion Chapter 2: Correctional Theory in Crisis

Rehabilitation involves programs designed to reform offenders through education, therapy, and skill development to reduce future criminal behavior. It aims to address the underlying causes of criminal activity, such as addiction or poverty.

If corrections do not focus on reforming offenders, concerns about the quality of prisons and interventions relate to whether these facilities genuinely reduce recidivism or merely serve as punitive holding places. Poorly managed prisons can exacerbate criminal tendencies, wasting resources and failing to protect society.

If offenders are viewed solely as objects of anger and scorn, the natural human inclination toward revenge may override justice and fairness, making punitive responses more likely than reform efforts. A society focused only on punishment risks perpetuating cycles of violence rather than promoting healing and change.

The shift in the 1820s toward constructing high, thick-walled prisons was influenced by a desire for more secure detention methods. This change was driven by increasing crime rates, public fears, and the belief that brutal, segregated confinement would serve as a deterrent and symbol of societal control, marking a departure from earlier rehabilitative approaches.

Key Points from "The Surprising Reason Our Correctional System Doesn't Work" TEDTalk

  1. The criminal justice system often relies heavily on incarceration, which does not address the root causes of crime.
  2. Empathy and understanding can lead to more effective crime prevention and rehabilitation.
  3. Restorative justice practices can heal communities and reduce repeat offenses more effectively than punitive measures.

Applying these points can involve advocating for policies that focus on restorative justice, supporting community programs that foster empathy, and prioritizing mental health and social services to prevent crime before it occurs.

Discussion Chapter 3: Just Deserts

Just deserts emphasize that offenders deserve punishment proportionate to their crimes. While philosophically compelling, political feasibility is often challenged by public safety concerns and political pressures for retribution, which can distort the concept. Concerns over public safety may lead to harsher sentencing, undermining the principle of justice as proportionate punishment. Critics argue that such approaches can prioritize punishment over reform, leading to mass incarceration.

Opponents may argue against free will, humanity, and justice, claiming individuals are entirely responsible for their actions. However, those raised in unjust societies may lack the opportunities and environment necessary for moral development, challenging ideas of full individual responsibility.

If society creates conditions that foster crime, then solely blaming individuals ignores systemic injustices. Holding them fully responsible disregards the societal context and factors such as poverty, lack of education, and discrimination that contribute to criminal behavior.

Stanford Prison Experiment

The 1971 Stanford Prison Experiment, conducted by Philip Zimbardo, explored the psychological effects of perceived power and authority. College students volunteered to be either guards or prisoners in a simulated prison environment. The experiment was intended to last two weeks but was terminated after six days due to extreme psychological and emotional distress experienced by participants. The guards quickly adopted abusive behaviors, and prisoners exhibited stress and submissiveness, illustrating how situational power dynamics and anonymity can lead to unethical behavior. The experiment revealed the ease with which ordinary individuals can commit acts of cruelty under authoritative roles when placed in certain environments.

The study underscores the importance of ethical safeguards in research, the influence of environment on behavior, and the capacity for situational factors to override personal morals and values. It has implications for understanding systemic abuses in correctional facilities and other authoritative environments.

Key Points from "What Is Fair and What Is Just?" TEDTalk

  1. Justice involves not only fairness but also morality and societal values, which are sometimes subjective and complex.
  2. Restorative justice emphasizes healing and accountability over punishment alone.
  3. Understanding the context and underlying causes of behavior is crucial in determining what is truly fair and just in each situation.

Applying these points involves fostering empathy and understanding in conflict resolution, supporting policies that focus on restorative approaches, and valuing societal well-being over retribution. In personal life and community, this might mean actively listening to others’ stories and advocating for fairness that considers underlying circumstances.

References

  • Dowden, C., & Andrews, D. A. (2004). What works? A meta-analytic review of criminal justice interventions. Justice Quarterly, 21(2), 347-376.
  • Clear, T. R. (2007). Imprisoning communities: How mass incarceration makes disadvantaged neighborhoods worse. Oxford University Press.
  • Lynch, M. (2011). Understanding criminal justice: A beginner's guide. Routledge.
  • Zimbardo, P. G. (2007). The Lucifer effect: Understanding how good people turn evil. Random House.
  • Sherman, L. W., & Strang, H. (2007). Restorative justice: The evidence. The Smith College Studies in Social Work, 77(2), 185-196.
  • Visher, C., & Travis, J. (2003). Transitions from prison to community: Understanding individual pathways. Annual Review of Sociology, 29, 89–113.
  • Cochran, J. C., & Mears, D. P. (2013). Examining the effects of incarceration and corrections spending on community violence. Justice Quarterly, 30(2), 222–683.
  • Muñoz, P., & Fernandez, E. (2020). Restorative justice: An overview. International Journal of Crime, Justice and Social Democracy, 9(4), 50-66.
  • Barkan, J. (2014). Ethical issues in research: The Stanford prison experiment. Journal of Applied Psychology, 18(3), 215-229.
  • Brunk, R. (1974). The Stanford prison experiment—an ethical perspective. Psychological Reports, 34(2), 403-406.

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