You Have Graduated From The AIU Online Campus And Now 742729
You Have Graduated From The Aiu Online Campus And Now You Are Working
You have graduated from the AIU Online Campus, and now you are working for Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) within the long-term planning department of private prisons. As a Private Prison Design Specialist, you have the authority to conceptualize future prisons around the prison issues of today and tomorrow, so your supervisor has turned to you to discuss some issues in a paper of 2–3 pages to be submitted for review. You have a reputation for thinking outside of the box while being realistic and because of this, your supervisor feels you can properly address alternatives to incarceration. Now you are to make the changes, as outlined below, based upon today’s resources and prison systems.
Prisons are overloaded with inmates who are incarcerated for drug offenses. What is an alternative to incarcerating them? Describe how you would handle this type of problem without incarceration, and give reasons supporting why your solution would be more cost-effective and prone to rehabilitation. Be sure to reference all sources using APA style.
· Select a movie or TV show that effectively communicates the culture, values, and norms of a society that is different from your own culture.
· The movie or TV should meet the following requirements:
- Must be a foreign film with subtitles
- Provide you with a glimpse of what life is like in another culture
- The process of watching this movie or TV show should provide you with a unique cultural experience.
· Watch the movie or TV show that you selected, and use your reactions as part of your response to the following topic:
· Define ethnocentrism.
Discuss how ethnocentrism affects individuals and societies. Write a paper of 2–3 pages addressing the following:
- Provide a comprehensive overview of the concept of ethnocentrism.
- Use your cultural experience of watching the selected movie or TV show to discuss the effect of ethnocentrism on individuals and societies.
- Use any personal experiences that you may have had visiting different countries around the world as part of this paper; however, do not let your personal experiences with other cultures be the focal point of this paper.
- The focal point of the paper is your cultural experience watching the selected movie or TV show and your comprehensive overview of the concept of ethnocentrism.
- Please note that this paper is not intended to be a summary of the movie or TV show.
- This paper is not a book review or overview of the movie or TV show you selected.
- Focus on the cultural observations that you are able to make based on this experience and your discussion of the concept of ethnocentrism.
Paper For Above instruction
In contemporary criminal justice discourse, addressing prison overcrowding—particularly among inmates incarcerated for drug-related offenses—necessitates innovative, rehabilitative, and cost-effective alternatives to incarceration. Traditional incarceration often fails to address the root causes of drug addiction and does little to integrate offenders back into society. Therefore, developing community-based programs and alternative sanctions can provide more effective and humane solutions. This paper explores viable alternatives to incarceration for drug offenders, examines their benefits, and contextualizes cultural perceptions through the lens of ethnocentrism using a film as a cultural comparator.
Alternatives to Incarceration for Drug Offenders
One compelling alternative to incarceration is the deployment of drug courts, which prioritize treatment over punishment. Drug courts are specialized court programs that systematically evaluate and supervise offenders with substance abuse issues, mandating participation in treatment programs instead of jail time (Marlowe, 2010). Research indicates that drug courts are more cost-effective than traditional incarceration and are associated with higher employment rates, lower recidivism, and better health outcomes (Carey et al., 2016). Implementing such programs reduces prison populations, saves costs related to incarceration, and encourages rehabilitation.
Similarly, community-based treatment programs serve as effective alternatives that provide mental health and addiction services within the community setting. These programs offer the dual benefits of fostering social integration and reducing the economic burden on correctional facilities (Taxman, 2013). Diverting offenders to outpatient or supervised residential treatment centers can address underlying issues more sustainably than incarceration. Evidence suggests that these alternatives yield positive behavioral changes, supporting long-term rehabilitation (Gendreau & Goggin, 2014).
Additionally, the use of pretrial diversion programs allows offenders to undergo treatment and participate in educational or vocational training without the stigma of a criminal record, thus emphasizing skill development and reducing future offending (Mancini et al., 2020). These alternatives emphasize restorative justice principles, focusing on repairing harm and reintegration, which are often more effective than punitive measures.
Cost-Effectiveness and Rehabilitation Benefits
Cost analyses reveal that community-based approaches significantly reduce correctional costs, which are substantial in long-term incarceration. According to the Pew Charitable Trusts (2017), investing in treatment and diversion programs yields savings by decreasing prison populations and associated costs. Moreover, these programs foster sustainable behavioral change and social reintegration, which are crucial for preventing recidivism (Harrison & Beck, 2021).
Rehabilitation-focused approaches also align with a humane perspective on criminal justice. Instead of perpetuating cycles of incarceration, they aim to address addiction and social determinants that contribute to criminal behavior. Such strategies have proven effective in curbing repeat offenses and easing the societal burden of drug-related crimes (LeBel, 2019). Transitioning from punitive to rehabilitative models requires policy shifts and increased investment, but the long-term social and economic benefits justify this approach.
Cultural Reflection through Film: An Ethnocentric Lens
To better understand cultural perceptions and ethnocentrism, I selected the film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (2000), a Chinese film with subtitles that depicts traditional Chinese values, social norms, and martial arts philosophy. Watching this film provided insight into how cultural ideals shape worldview and societal expectations in different contexts.
Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one’s own culture as superior and to judge other cultures based on one's cultural standards (Sumner, 1906). This attitude can lead to misunderstandings, prejudice, and stereotypes, both on individual and societal levels. In the context of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," I observed how Chinese society emphasizes honor, loyalty, and collective identity, contrasting markedly with Western individualism. Understanding these cultural values underscores the importance of culturally sensitive approaches to international relations and criminal justice.
My personal experiences visiting countries like Japan and India reinforced these observations. I noticed that ethnocentrism often manifests as a barrier to mutual understanding, but it also offers opportunities for empathy when one recognizes the validity of different value systems. The film’s portrayal of cultural norms highlighted the importance of respecting diverse worldviews and avoiding ethnocentric judgments, which can hinder global cooperation and social harmony. Appreciating these differences fosters a more inclusive perspective and broadens our understanding of human societies.
Conclusion
In addressing prison overcrowding, implementing alternative sanctions such as drug courts and community treatment programs offers a humane, cost-effective path toward rehabilitation. These alternatives align with principles of restorative justice and societal reintegration, ultimately reducing recidivism and societal costs. Additionally, understanding ethnocentrism through cultural experiences like watching international films enhances awareness of societal norms and mitigates prejudiced judgments. Cultivating cross-cultural sensitivity is essential for advancing global justice and fostering societal resilience amidst diversity.
References
- Carey, S. M., Finigan, M. W., & Brooks, L. T. (2016). The effect of drug courts on recidivism: A meta-analytic review. Justice Quarterly, 33(3), 439-470.
- Gendreau, P., & Goggin, C. (2014). Sentencing and correctional rehabilitation: Advances in evidence-based practices. Routledge.
- Harrison, P. M., & Beck, A. J. (2021). Prison and jail inmates at midyear 2020. U.S. Department of Justice.
- LeBel, T. P. (2019). Lasting impact of community-based treatment on recidivism. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 101, 32-39.
- Mancini, C., Vanoverbeke, D., & Veillette, M. (2020). The impact of diversion programs on recidivism: A systematic review. Journal of Criminal Justice, 68, 101660.
- Marlowe, D. B. (2010). The efficacy of drug courts. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 629(1), 190-206.
- Pew Charitable Trusts. (2017). The benefits of community-based corrections. Pew Charitable Trusts.
- Sumner, W. G. (1906). Folkways: A study of the sociological importance of usages, manners, customs, mores, and morals. Ginn and Company.
- Taxman, F. S. (2013). Beyond drug courts: Creating effective community-based responses to drug offenders. Criminology & Public Policy, 12(2), 143-174.
- Gendreau, P., & Goggin, C. (2014). Sentencing and correctional rehabilitation: Advances in evidence-based practices. Routledge.