Yes, an individual should be punished for their crimes but the effects of a felony conviction should not include or affect that person’s right to vote, finding employment, or the pursuance of a higher education. According to Olivares, Burton, and Cullen (1996) upon release these offenders also deal with stigmas, loss of job opportunities, friendships, family relationships, and denial of civil rights. When it comes to the loss of job opportunities, a recent study has shown that most employers have hired at least one person with a felony conviction (Sawnson, Langfitt-Reese & Bond, 2012). Employers encourage job seekers with criminal records to be honest and willing to discuss their involvement with the justice system. Most employers did not have strict policies concerning hiring criminals and this is a plus.
A death sentence brings finality to a horrible chapter in the lives of these family members. It would mean that the family members of the victim could then end all sadness of the crime committed and try to forget about it as best they can and know that justice has been served to the defendant. If it wasn’t for the various types of punishment there wouldn’t be a way to deter people from committing crime. The death penalty creates another form of crime deterrent. Prison time is an effective deterrent to a point, with some people more time is needed.
The demographic group most affected by the war on drugs and the incarceration boom are the juveniles. Youth who turn to drugs and alcohol abuse are faced with harsh reality at YSI Facilities, another branch of the private prison industry. Rather than being charged with fines appropriate to their offenses and being sent to rehabilitation or other forms of drug treatment, non-violent offenders are locked away with long, harsh sentences. This profit-driven war on drugs and other substance abuse ruins the lives of the inmates, turning them into harder criminals by exposing them to such environments. According to a project run by The Huffington Post, 40% of juvenile offenders sent to private prisons on account of drug related crimes are arrested and convicted of harsher crimes in less than a year from their release (Kirkham).
The public is able to buy them at their free will resulting in drugs corrupting schools and America’s youth. The age regulation of drugs would have a positive effect on the drug use of America’s youth, it would be much harder for them to get. Today, it’s a lot more common to witness a drug deal happen in school rather than someone selling alcohol or cigarettes. It is extremely dangerous to drug users because there is no regulation, making a lot of buyers unaware of the potency of the drug or if some other drug is it. This is the main reason for overdose in America, the majority of the people that use drugs are not always sure on what really is in it.
The discussion could be is that criminals are being handled well, but some say that they are not being handled like criminals. However, when you think back many years ago, criminals had no rights what so ever. The wardens ran the prison as they saw fit. As for the criminals back in the day, they would be taken out and stoned, beat, and even killed. But with the ethical treatment of criminals these days has a gentle and healthier living circumstances.
This has the consequence that many people have to commit crimes and go into prostitution to buy the drugs they depend on. Yet each time they get what they want, they become more and more sick. Although everything for the people in “Brave New World” is great and everyone is happy and uninhibited if they get their lovely soma, they are also often dependent on the drug. Brave New World’s government supports soma to ensure passiveness of its people and thereby the stability of their created world. Alcohol, on the contrary, seems like an illegal drug in the New World because you become an outsider by drinking it, though it is not forbidden by the
There is a moral difference between Shelton’s killing of his attackers and that of his other victims. Darby and Ames caused personal harm to Shelton and thus gave him the moral right to try and prevent any other future pain that could be caused by these men, but the other victims were combatants in the war that Shelton waged against the “system”. When looking at Darby and Ames, Shelton takes a more utilitarian approach when dealing with their killings. The government “system” is supposed to punish those who are wrong. But in the trial of Darby and Ames, only Ames was punished severely while Darby was allowed to go free.
I do believe we should not coddle them with taxpayer treatment programs that a lot of them enter and exit repeatedly. But, on the other hand, if those treatment centers do offer some sort of success, then it a good thing to offer them in hopes of the offenders not depending on drugs and having to commit crimes to get those drugs thus reducing crime, the courts, jails, and prison population. Drug treatment programs are less expensive than prisons and more effective at helping people turn their lives around. Many of the programs available to inmates are provided by organizations like AA and NA, which send volunteers into the prisons. Most of the volunteers are previous offenders who have changed their lives and now want to help other change their life.
It is said that punishment was different in the old days, but can that really be proven. They might have used different weapons and methods, but that was probably normal for them times. Just like the modern times have their way of punishing people, so did the earlier generations. It seems as people would love to use every excuse as to blame someone for something they did. Maybe that is why the criminal justice system is not a success.
If they are negative for drugs then they should still receive welfare, while still being watched and on probation for another year. On the other hand, if they are tested positive for drugs in the following year I believe they should be arrested. It’s already against the law to do drugs so it is not like we are treating them differently than any other American. Those going to jail actually may be a better lifestyle for some of them. Jail can be looked at either a punishment or a chance to change their life for the