1. Corrections and Society

2. I. The Purpose of Punishment A. Rehabilitation 1.Seeks to treat and reform the lawbreaker (turn him into a productive citizen) – prisons provide job training, psychological counseling, and education 2.Critics say it doesn’t work in practice B. Restitution 1.Seeks repayment – offender repays victim or community in money or services 2.Critics say you can’t repay the harm caused by violent crimes

3. I. The Purpose of Punishment C. Incapacitation 1.Seeks to isolate a criminal from society to protect ordinary citizens – confinement makes it impossible to commit more crimes 2.Critics say offender will get released eventually, so protection is only temporary if nothing is done to reform him D. Deterrence 1.Seeks to prevent further crimes a.SPECIFIC DETERRENCE targets criminals; memory of a harsh punishment will stop future crimes b.GENERAL DETERRENCE targets other potential criminals; seeing a harsh punishment will prevent others from committing that crime 2.Critics say few criminals expect to be caught and deterrence only works if there is a fear of being caught and punished

4. I. The Purpose of Punishment E. Retribution 1.Seeks revenge - by imposing punishment, society gets even 2.Critics say too cruel for modern society; doesn’t address issues like protecting the innocent or reforming criminals

5. The Perfect Punishment  A single, unemployed mother robs a bakery to feed her children – she takes bread and money from the cash register  A man who was called an offensive name beats up the victim, leaving him seriously hurt with broken ribs, a concussion, and cuts that need stitches  A man murders a man who raped his wife

6. RECIDIVISM RATE  Rate at which those released from prison go on to commit more crimes

7. II. Sentencing A. Sentencing decisions made by judge at sentencing hearing after the defendant is found guilty B. Many factors to consider in sentencing – need to think about defendant’s situation, as well as community safety (Examples: crime committed, offender’s actions, victim, weapon, offender’s participation, criminal record, psychological state, age, offender’s attitude, public’s attitude, etc.)

8. II. Sentencing C. Indeterminate sentencing 1.Flexible sentences for rehabilitation (reformed criminals can be released sooner, those who aren’t reformed kept longer) 2.Sentence usually a range of years by the judge; parole board determines how long the offender serves 3.Critics say this results in arbitrary sentences and dangerous criminals can be released too soon D. Determinate sentencing 1.Fixed-term sentencing 2.Judge gives defendant specific time of imprisonment, or alternative sentences

9. II. Sentencing E. Mandatory sentencing laws 1.Take away option of alternative sentences; require judges to sentence offenders to prison terms; most states have mandatory minimums for some crimes F. Sentencing guidelines 1.Formulas for judges to use in sentencing decisions 2.Goal is to decrease differences in sentences

10. Alternatives to Prison

11. I. The Need for Alternatives A. Public impatient with crime problem  call for stricter punishments  longer sentences, prison overcrowding, and high costs B. Many corrections specialists say community-based correctional alternatives are cheaper and more effective than prison sentences

12. II. Fines A. Imposed in about ¾ of all cases B. Can be with other punishments, or by themselves (but only in low-risk offenses, such as traffic infractions) C. Problems 1.Many criminals are poor, so it doesn’t always make sense to punish with a fine (might force criminal to commit more crimes) 2.Unequal punishment to fine a rich person and a poor person the same amount of money D. DAY FINES: calculated on how much a person earns each day

13. III. Probation A. Offender sentenced to probation can return to community, but must regularly prove that he or she meets certain conditions by the courts; has to report to a probation officer B. Need to establish strong links between the offender and the community (makes offender less likely to return to criminal behavior)

14. IV. High Tech House Arrest A. Offenders required to wear small transmitters to monitor activities and locations to make sure person remains at home when not a work B. Costs less than $10/day, compared to $100/day for jail time 1.Person also has to pay $10 - $20 / day for transmitter 2.Can make it unfair punishment, since poor can’t afford transmitter and so have to go to jail V. Community Service – usually limited to people who have committed non-violent crimes

15. VI. Community Corrections A. Community correctional programs based in local facilities such as half-way houses, community treatment centers, residential care facilities, and group homes B. Goal is to guide ex-offenders into the community and help them develop positive, law-abiding lifestyles C. Obstacles include funding, habitual and violent criminals, and community attitudes

16. Who Gets Probation?  Art Lewis, while setting off fireworks in a wilderness area, started a fire which burned down a U.S. Forest Service utility shed and destroyed a bulldozer. He has no prior criminal record  Barbara Keene was convicted of pickpocketing. She has one prior conviction for prostitution. She has paid back the money she took and has become actively involved in church charitable work.

17. Who Gets Probation?  Carol Doepel was convicted of the attempted murder pf a co-worker. Through she has no prior criminal record, she has been fired from three jobs for assaulting the employees. She is currently undergoing therapy.  David Perkins was convicted of embezzling $20,000 from his employer. Twenty years ago, he served one year in prison for forgery. Since that time, he has raised a family and has been active in community service work