Senior Comp Exam- Corrections

As a system, ‘corrections is based on various purposes

such as punishment, rehabilitation, deterrence, and public safety, aiming to manage offenders through incarceration or community supervision.

What are three contrasting purposes of corrections?

Punishment, rehabilitation, and deterrence.

What is the conceptual rationale for punishment?

To hold offenders accountable for their actions, deter future criminal behavior, and provide a means for society to express its condemnation of the wrongdoing.

What is the conceptual rationale for rehabilitation?

To reform offenders by addressing the underlying factors that contribute to their criminal behavior, thereby facilitating their reintegration into society as law-abiding citizens.

What is the conceptual rationale for deterrence?

To discourage individuals from committing crimes by instilling a fear of punishment and reinforcing the belief that the consequences of illegal behavior outweigh any potential benefits.

Which one appears to have the greatest possibility of reducing recidivism, and why?

Rehabilitation appears to have the greatest possibility of reducing recidivism because it focuses on addressing the root causes of criminal behavior, helping offenders develop skills and support systems to prevent reoffending.

What are the three reasons for the disproportional criminal prosecution of African Americans receiving harsh sentencing for drug related offenses?

The three reasons include systemic racism within the criminal justice system, socioeconomic disparities that increase vulnerability to drug-related offenses, and policies that disproportionately target communities of color.

What is one way to reduce the disparity of African Americans being disproportionately prosecuted for drug-related offenses?

Identify and describe two policies that have contributed to the dramatic increase in the correctional population over the past 30 years

1. Mandatory Minimum Sentencing: eliminate judicial discretion by requiring judges to impose a predetermined minimum prison sentence for specific crimes

2. Three Strikes Laws: mandate significantly harsher penalties, often including life imprisonment, for individuals convicted of a third felony offense

What is the purpose of punishment?

To hold offenders accountable for their actions, deter future criminal behavior, and provide a means for society to express its condemnation of the wrongdoing.

What specific assumptions do retribution make about people?

Assumes individuals possess free will and are rational actors who choose to commit crimes, thus deserving punishment proportionate to their actions. It views people as morally responsible for their choices.

What specific assumptions does deterrence make about people?

Assumes individuals are rational calculators who weigh the potential costs (punishment) against the benefits (gains from crime). It presupposes that the fear of negative consequences can prevent future criminal behavior.

What specific assumptions does incapacitation make about people?

Assumes that certain individuals, based on their criminal history or perceived dangerousness, will continue to pose a threat to public safety if not physically restrained or removed from society. It focuses on preventing future crimes by restricting an offender's opportunities.