Essay about Traditional and Non-Traditional Methods of...

Prisons are designed to confine individuals convicted of committing crimes. These facilities are used to rehabilitate offenders while keeping them isolated from the community so they can do no more harm to law abiding citizens. The goal of jails and prisons are to simply keep offenders from committing more crimes while encouraging them to become productive members of society. Traditional forms of corrections consist of prison time, restitution, probation or parole. However, there are some non-traditional methods as well such as alternative sentencing. For individuals who commit felonies such as murder there’s no negotiating you’re going to prison. There will be no alternatives and if there crime was severe enough the criminal will be sent†¦show more content†¦Rehabilitation focuses on making the convicted offender a changed member of society and able to live amongst lawful citizens. Prison, county jails and other alternatives ultimate goal is to reform offenders so they will not commit any more crimes and can be sent back into the real world. The intended goals are the same, but with the alternatives the offender just gets to reform his or herself outside of a prison cell. Data that supports incarceration or some other methods of punishment varies within jurisdictions. Joel Caplan’s research said â€Å"There has been some evidence that successful paroles are increasing in certain jurisdictions; or rather, that failure rates are declining in certain states† (Austin, 2001). This could be because once an individual gets a look at prison life and their freedom and rights are stripped away that is enough to humble a person and make them want to change and be free again. Freedom from prison can uplift a person and individuals strive for the right to become members of society again (Caplan, 2006). Someone granted parole can fail to successfully blend back into his or her community. Sometimes when individuals are fresh out of prison it is harder for previously convicted criminals to get jobs or even be accepted by society again. Ignoring the potential of rehabilitated ex-offenders and withholding resources such as the opportunity to have a realShow MoreRelatedEssay on Circle Sentencing as Alternative Dispute Resolutions1235 Words   |  5 PagesCircle Sentencing as Alternative Dispute Resolutions While the restorative justice movement has risen in recent years, the idea of circle sentencing, or peacemaking circles has been practiced in indigenous cultures for quite some time. As we look at implementing traditional indigenous culture practices as alternative dispute resolutions, we need to realize the effectiveness and also whether we are ready to use them. The Yukon and other communities reintroduced circles in 1991 as a practiceRead MoreEssay on Victim and Crime Evulation1159 Words   |  5 Pagesvictims who create the unfortunate events to which justice has to be served and then there are the defense attorneys and the prosecutors who do their best to upload the justice system and make sure that justice is served. What are the goals of sentencing associated? A defense attorney is a hired contractor, charged with representing individuals or entities in criminal or civil matter. People and organization facing criminal charges or being sued civilly hire a defense attorney to ensure theirRead MoreShould We Be Mandatory Sentence Reduction?870 Words   |  4 Pageshigh judges such as the Supreme Court to end the traditional and legal precedent of turning a blind eye to race discrimination in the criminal justice system (Alexander, 2011). To this point, research on mass incarceration takes issue with the fact the Court has closed the courthouse doors to claims of racial bias at all stages of the criminal justice process from the levels of justice ranging from stops and searches to plea bargaining and sentencing. One case, in particular, stands out as drawingRead MoreIncarceration And High Disproportionality Of Aboriginal Offenders1347 Words   |  6 Pagesalternatives and consequences (Zsolnai, 1997). Therefore, the individual level of responsibly ignores other systematic factors that influence offending. It is arguable that the Western system examines beyond the individual level by incorporating specific sentencing principles for Aboriginal people (see R v Gladue, 1999). However, society still has mass incarceration and high disproportionality of Aboriginal offenders in Canada. Thus, it is essential that the state based justice system examines how societyRead MoreJuvenile Justice And Criminal Justice1368 Words   |  6 Pagesbehavior. Transfer is usually used for juveniles charged with dangerous and violent offenses. At least half of the youths transferred to the adult court system, however, have committed minor offenses such as property and drug law violations. The most traditional style of transferring juveniles to criminal court was elective judicial waiver. Judicial waiver laws allow a juvenile court judge to transfer a delinquency case to criminal court, often after establishing that the case meets unmitig ated criteriaRead MoreIs Restorative Justice Gaing Support in South Africa?1503 Words   |  7 Pagesrestorative justice principles in the resolution of disputes it will be evident in the legislation and recent case law in different fields; including crimes of child offenders, serious crimes and less serious crimes. Restorative justice versus traditional theories Punishment theories such as retributive and utilitarian approaches focus on the objective to ‘right the wrong’. Retributive theories are based mostly on theological principles; where the offender can only pay for his ‘sin’ by sufferingRead MoreA Separate Juvenile Justice System1003 Words   |  5 Pagescustodial methods of punishment. 1. Juxtaposition of traditional and modern methods There is the need for a rediscovery of a distinctive indigenous system of justice that can be juxtaposed with the modern justice system. The question may be asked if the informal control of juvenile offenders is a solution to reoffending. This concept used under the traditional juvenile justice system may be adapted taking into cognizance contemporary trends in addressing youth matters. The traditional concept ofRead MoreRestorative Justice among the Aboriginal People1336 Words   |  5 Pagesthe experience of the native people. This means that it is important to acknowledge the differences amongst the aboriginal people. It is evident that the use of retributive model of justice has been used in many of the corrections in Canada. This method has not been effective in reducing crime amongst the aboriginal people. Both males and females amongst the aboriginals are overrepresented in the various levels of secured custody. However, based on the enormity of the native involvement in theRead More Community Based Corrections: Viable Alternative to Incarceration1679 Words   |  7 PagesCommunity-based corrections alleviate overcrowded correctional facilities, reduce taxpayer burden, and rehabilitate offenders, while providing effective, efficient low cost methods of supporting public safety, community rehabilitation, behavior modification and personnel responsibility, because it uses multiple approaches and involves both legislative and judicial personnel in all steps of the process. Community-based corrections facilities are located in the community and support diverse rehabilitativeRead MoreRestorative Justice Gaining Support in South Africa1246 Words   |  5 Pagesrestorative justice principles in the resolution of disputes it will be evident in the legislation and recent case law in differ ent fields; including crimes of child offenders, less serious crimes and serious crimes. 2 Restorative justice versus traditional theories Punishment theories such as retributive and utilitarian approaches focus on ‘righting the wrong’. Retributive theories are based on the idea where the offender can only pay for his ‘sin’ by suffering. Whereas, utilitarian approaches are