demonstrate your mastery of the following competencies:
-Analyze how the ideologies of punishment influence professional practice in corrections
-Describe the organizational structure and logistical considerations of correctional facilities
-Analyze systemic issues that affect incarceration
Scenario
You are working for Vera Institute, a private agency dedicated to “tackl[ing] the most pressing injustices of our day.” Your work group is writing a grant asking for federal funding on behalf of the State of Alabama Department of Corrections, which desperately needs funding in order to build new structures and programs to combat overcrowding. The piece of the grant you will craft is the statement of need, which focuses on reviewing the ideologies of punishment, explaining considerations in corrections facilities, and analyzing systemic issues that affect incarceration. You have been provided with a template Word Document to assist you in organizing your work.
Reference
Vera Institute. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.vera.org/about
Directions
Grant Proposal Statement of Need
In this assignment, you will craft a statement of need for your grant proposal. This statement will explain the issues that generally relate to today’s corrections departments and how you are seeking to address these issues. Your statement of need should be divided into sections using the following headers:
Ideological Influence on Professional Practice
To begin your statement, you will use research to analyze how the ideologies of punishment influence professional practice in corrections.
-First, describe how the goals of sentencing may lead to specific programs and sentencing structures. In your analysis, include each of the following:
-Identify the five goals of sentencing. Name and define each goal.
-Describe how prison programs can foster rehabilitation.
-Describe some of the different goals of sentencing demonstrated through different programs and sentencing structures.
Next, you will explain the impact of sentencing structures. Choose two of the following to explain the impact(s) of sentencing structures:
-Determinate and indeterminate
-Felonies vs. misdemeanors
-Mandatory minimums
-Three strikes law
Then, describe how felony convictions create an unintended “invisible punishment.” Be sure to address the following areas of impact that persons convicted of felonies might face upon release:
-Civil liberty restrictions
-Private sector restrictions
Structure and Logistics of Correctional Facilities
In the next part of your statement of need, use research as you consider the organizational structure and logistical considerations of correctional facilities.
-First, describe the processing of offenders in correctional facilities. Be sure to address each of the following:
-The prisoner intake process
Full Answer Section
There are five primary goals of sentencing: retribution, deterrence, incapacitation, rehabilitation, and restoration.
- Retribution is the idea that offenders deserve to be punished for their crimes. This goal is based on the principle of just deserts, which holds that the severity of punishment should be proportionate to the severity of the crime.
- Deterrence is the idea that punishment can discourage people from committing crimes. This goal can be achieved through either specific deterrence, which aims to deter the offender from reoffending, or general deterrence, which aims to deter the general public from committing crimes.
- Incapacitation is the idea that punishment can prevent offenders from committing future crimes by removing them from society. This goal is achieved through incarceration, house arrest, or the death penalty.
- Rehabilitation is the idea that punishment can be used to change offenders' behavior so that they are less likely to reoffend. This goal is achieved through a variety of programs, such as educational and vocational training, drug and alcohol treatment, and counseling.
- Restoration is the idea that punishment should be about repairing the harm caused by the crime. This goal is achieved through programs that compensate victims, such as restitution and victim-offender mediation.
The different goals of sentencing can lead to different programs and sentencing structures. For example, a system that emphasizes retribution may focus on long prison sentences, while a system that emphasizes rehabilitation may focus on shorter sentences and more programming.
Prison Programs
Prison programs can foster rehabilitation in a number of ways. Educational and vocational training programs can help offenders develop the skills they need to get a job and support themselves after release. Drug and alcohol treatment programs can help offenders address the underlying issues that contributed to their criminal behavior. Counseling programs can help offenders address mental health and emotional issues.
In addition to these specific programs, prison can also provide a safe and structured environment where offenders can learn new skills, develop pro-social relationships, and make positive changes in their lives.
Different Goals of Sentencing Demonstrated Through Different Programs and Sentencing Structures
The different goals of sentencing can be demonstrated through different programs and sentencing structures. For example, a system that emphasizes retribution might have a long prison sentence with few opportunities for rehabilitation. A system that emphasizes deterrence might have a shorter prison sentence with a focus on specific deterrence. A system that emphasizes incapacitation might rely heavily on incarceration, regardless of the offender's individual circumstances. A system that emphasizes rehabilitation might have a variety of programs and services designed to help offenders change their behavior and become productive members of society.
The specific programs and sentencing structures that are implemented will depend on the prevailing ideology of punishment in a particular jurisdiction.
Conclusion
The ideologies of punishment have a significant impact on professional practice in corrections. The goals of sentencing, the organizational structure of correctional facilities, and the logistical considerations of incarceration are all shaped by the prevailing ideology of punishment. It is important to be aware of these ideologies and their implications for corrections practice in order to make informed decisions about how to best serve offenders and protect the public.
In addition to the above, the following are some systemic issues that affect incarceration:
- Racial disparities. African Americans and Hispanics are disproportionately incarcerated in the United States. This is due to a number of factors, including racial profiling, unequal treatment in the justice system, and lack of access to quality legal representation.
- Mass incarceration. The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world. This is due to a number of factors, including the war on drugs, mandatory minimum sentences, and three-strikes laws.
- Many correctional facilities are overcrowded. This can lead to violence, safety concerns, and poor living conditions for inmates.
- Many correctional facilities are underfunded. This can lead to staff shortages, inadequate programming, and poor medical care for inmates.
These systemic issues make it difficult to achieve the goals of sentencing, such as rehabilitation and public safety. They also contribute to the high cost of incarceration. It is important to address these systemic issues in order to improve the criminal justice system and make it more just and effective.