CJ 130 Introduction to Corrections Seminar 8

SEMINAR OVERVIEW Welcome Final Project Guidelines Arguments for and against the death penalty Deterrent Effects of the death penalty Death Penalty Safeguards Types of Execution Wrap Up

Final Project Prepare a 5-6 page research paper comparing and contrasting the following Security Threat Groups or Gangs: – The Aryan Brotherhood – The Ku Klux Klan – The Folk Nation – The Nation of Islam, and – MS 13. You must use five references and APA format DUE DATE: End of Unit 9

Final Project Grading Rubric Organization20 points Content75 points Writing Style/Format15 points Research30 points 140 Total

Be sure to include the following: – Where each gang originated and who its founder was – What its basic beliefs are – The prisons where it is the strongest (geographically) – The prisons where it is the weakest – Whether it is growing or in decline – Its mission and its primary way of doing business – How dangerous it is (explain and give examples)

Final Exam Focus on material from Units 6-9 (chapters 12-20). It is made up of both T/F and multiple choice questions. There are 50 questions, 2 points each, for a total of 100 points. This is an open book exam. You have two hours to take the exam. Make sure to hit the Submit button when you have completed it. DUE DATE: End of Unit 9

Arguments FOR the Death Penalty Deterrent to murder Anyone who commits horrible crimes deserves the death penalty Life imprisonment does not protect society

Arguments AGAINST the Death Penalty It is immoral to kill a human being Innocent people are executed Capital Punishment is not a deterrent Mental Illness consideration Pragmatic concerns Cost Death of offender won’t bring victim back

Which of these arguments do you support? What are your personal views on the death penalty and why?

What do you think seems like a harsher sentence—death or life in prison without possibility of parole?

What has research shown about the deterrent effects of capital punishment?

Does the system have enough safeguards against executing individuals who are innocent for the crime for which they are being executed?

What do you think about the requirement of DNA evidence when available for persons on death row to potentially prevent innocent people from being put to death?

States vary in what types of execution is allowed from lethal injection, electrocution, lethal gas, hanging or firing squad. What about methods of execution? Do you believe that one is more humane and should be used more often than others?

Your book reports that “the death penalty remains a poor man’s punishment.” What do you make of that?

WRAP UP Any Questions/Concerns? Next Seminar Topic: Prisoners’ Rights