Correctional Policy
Name
Institution
Date
Correctional Policy
- What are the differences between a close institution and an open one? Be very specific in your answers. What are some of the subcultural values that may affect the staff in a prison setting? Be specific. Define other issues that may affect the team in the performance of their duties.
A closed institution is a maximum-security correctional facility. This mostly applies to the dangerous inmates and those put in the penitentiary facility for long periods. The open institution is minimum security, and it often holds petty and short-term offenders. Prison argot is one of the subcultural values that may affect staff in the prison setting. They have to learn the terminology that is common in the prison so that they are in opposition to executing their duties properly. Another subculture is the need for dominance and control, which is necessary as a defense mechanism against potential inmate threats.
- Define in detail what is meant by the” Hands off Doctrine.” Define, in particular the principle of “Habeas Corpus.” Concerning inmates’ rights, what does the “deliberate indifference standard” entail?
The hands-off doctrine was a law where the courts did not interfere with the life of the convicted individuals after they entered the prison. The conditions in jail and their treatment, therefore, were in the hands of prison officers. The principal of Habeas corpus protects personal liberty, where the court assumes control over the body of a prisoner in an attempt to determine whether it is proper for them to have their freedom. If there is no adequate legal course for detention, then the petition under this principle will proceed as a civil action against the wardens who held the individual. Deliberate indifference standard entails the intentional refusal of prison officials to take the safety or medical threat of prisoners seriously. Therefore, it takes into account any risks that may endanger the life of the prisoner, which are reported to them, but they choose to ignore it.
- In your opinion, does rehabilitation work? Why or Why not? Be specific. What does the “medical model” view crime as? How are offenders’ risks and needs assessed? Explain in detail.
From a personal perspective, rehabilitation rarely works. This is due to the indecent and unsafe state of most prisons. The prisoners tend to learn better ways of doing crime and also form bonds and friendships with other criminals such that when they are out, they go right back into the gang life. The medical model views crime as an illness that requires a therapeutic approach in an attempt to treat the root cause of criminal behaviors. Offender’s risks and needs are assessed using dynamic and static factors. The influential factors are those, which do not change, such as the age at first arrest, mental health problems, previous history of substance abuse, and gender. The dynamic factors are those that are subject to change and may influence future criminal behavior in the individual. These include employment status and the general stability of the individual.
- What type of problems are female inmates more likely to have than male inmates? Define in detail some of the employment problems females may incur to become correctional officers. How does Race play a factor in the criminal justice system and corrections? Corrections magazine
Women are likely to face the problem with regards to their pregnancy termination. The prison policies sometimes are inconsistent with the constitutional ones that allow women to terminate pregnancies. This leaves them at the mercy of the prison officers who may refuse them the opportunity. In case the women are pregnant during the time of incarceration, and they wish to keep the babies, they may also face the challenge of receiving the best pregnancy care. On female correctional officers, they may incur the problem of maintaining a work-home balance as the job is quite engaging. It may also be a challenge to work in male prisons where they may face the problem of assault from their colleagues and the prisoners. Race plays a role in the criminal justice system as the minority races are most likely to be accused of crimes and deemed guilty than the majority races.
- Define the concept of “Parens Patriae? When and where was the first juvenile court established? What was its primary purpose? For juveniles, what were the major rights established in the landmark case: In Re Gault 1967”? Define in detail “Kent V. United States 1966 ruling. What were its significant implications?
The concept of Parens Patriae allows the courts to step in and become the guardians of people who are unable to take care of themselves. These include the mentally ill, juveniles, incompetent, elderly, and even disabled persons. The first juvenile court was established in Illinois in 1899. The primary purpose was to ensure that youths did not face the same system with adults as it was destructive for their developing minds. The landmark case Re Gault 1967 established that juveniles also had a legal right to legal counsel for their delinquency proceedings. The Kent v United States confirmed that juveniles had a right to the same due process as adults when being tried in a court of law.