The First Part Is A Scenario To Address The Second Half Of T

The First Part Is A Scenario To Address The Second Half Of The Assig

The assignment requires analyzing a criminal case scenario involving Joe, a 21-year-old man convicted of burglary. You are asked to prepare a Pre-Sentence Investigation (PSI) review summarizing key core categories such as criminal history, social history, mental health, and substance abuse. The review must be concise, highlighting the most critical information for the judge that will inform sentencing decisions.

Additionally, you must recommend a sentence based on the assessment, considering correctional treatments or intermediate sanctions appropriate for Joe's profile. A brief justification for your recommendation is needed, emphasizing how the chosen punishment addresses the offender's risk factors and needs. The instructions also request that you answer two follow-up questions about probation conditions and Tourniquet Sentencing.

Paper For Above instruction

Pre-Sentence Investigation (PSI) Review:

Joe is a 21-year-old male with a history of juvenile and adult criminal behavior, including truancy, shoplifting, possession of weapons and drugs, and violent tendencies such as fighting and bullying. His juvenile record includes approximately 10 days in detention and probation with mandatory drug treatment, indicating early behavioral issues and substance abuse problems. Currently, he faces charges for burglary and theft, committed during a nighttime break-in at a business, with police recovering cash, alcohol, and a switchblade—raising concerns over weapon possession and escalation in criminal conduct.

Social background reveals a turbulent upbringing within a two-parent household characterized by domestic abuse; the father abandoned the family, and the mother is currently in inpatient drug treatment. Joe’s living situation involves his girlfriend, who is four months pregnant, suggesting potential family instability and responsibility. His educational attainment is limited to a G.E.D., and employment history is minimal and unstable, mostly unskilled jobs terminated due to tardiness. He reports heavy alcohol use and occasional marijuana consumption, which likely contribute to ongoing behavioral issues, but shows no documented mental health treatment history. Overall, Joe’s background indicates significant risk factors: substance dependency, poor impulse control, inadequate education, and limited employment prospects.

Recommended Sentence and Rationale:

Considering Joe’s criminal history, substance abuse, and social circumstances, a balanced approach combining probation with intensive treatment would be appropriate. I recommend probation as the primary sentencing, coupled with mandatory substance abuse treatment programs and employment readiness services. This approach supports rehabilitation, addresses underlying alcohol abuse, and encourages skill development to promote long-term desistance from criminal behavior.

If jail time is necessary, a short-term incarceration of 30 to 60 days for quick removal from criminogenic environments followed by supervised probation with intermediate sanctions such as electronic monitoring or day reporting centers would be effective. These sanctions reinforce accountability without over-incarcerating, which is aligned with modern correctional principles emphasizing rehabilitation over punishment. Joe’s needs for treatment and stability outweigh the benefits of lengthy incarceration given his background and risk factors.

Short Answer Questions

2. When ordering probation, the court imposes general conditions to follow. Often, the probationer may also be told to follow specific conditions. What is the difference between general and specific conditions of probation?

General conditions of probation are standard requirements that all probationers must adhere to, such as maintaining good behavior, avoiding new crimes, submitting to drug testing, and reporting regularly to probation officers. Specific conditions are tailored to an individual’s circumstances and offense, such as attending substance abuse treatment, fulfilling community service hours, or participating in job training programs. These targeted conditions aim to address particular risk factors or needs of the offender.

3. What is Tourniquet Sentencing?

Tourniquet Sentencing is a correctional strategy that applies increasingly restrictive sanctions, like tightening a tourniquet, until the offender complies with court orders or shows behavioral improvement. It is designed as a behavioral leverage technique, escalating sanctions such as warnings, fines, or detention, to motivate compliance. This approach emphasizes immediate consequences for non-compliance, aiming to 'tighten' control over the offender's behavior effectively.

References

• Andrews, D. A., & Bonta, J. (2010). The Psychology of Criminal Conduct. Routledge.
• Gendreau, P., & Goggin, C. (2018). Principles of effective correctional treatment. University of Montreal.
• Mitchell, O., & Wilson, D. B. (2012). Effectiveness of correctional treatment. Crime & Delinquency.
• National Institute of Justice. (2014). The Future of Sentencing and Corrections. NIJ Reports.
• Petersilia, J. (2003). When Prisoners Come Home: Parole and Prisoner Reentry. Oxford University Press.
• Taxman, F. S., & Belenko, S. (2012). Implementing Evidence-Based Practices in Community Corrections and Social Service Settings. Springer.
• Ward, T., & Maruna, S. (2007). Rehabilitation: Beyond the Risk Paradigm. Routledge.
• Wilson, D. B., Lipsey, M. W., & Cullen, F. T. (2007). Effects of correctional programs. Annual Review of Psychology.
• Maruna, S. (2011). Making Good: How Ex-Convicts Reform and Rebuild Their Lives. American Psychological Association.
• Western, B., & Pettit, B. (2010). Incarceration & social inequality. Daedalus.