crime and punishment are rooted in social structures and culture. Political ideology, economic realities, and class, race, and gender norms.
Chapter 2&3 critique, 5 arguments& discussion questions
Paper details:
Ideas about crime and punishment are rooted in social structures and culture. Political ideology, economic realities, and class, race, and gender norms all exert a powerful influence on systems of punishment. Sentencing is a key function of the justice system, determining the kind and duration of the sanctions for each defendant. Sentencing expresses the prevailing attitudes and values of society as it regards punishment for lawbreaking. Chapter 3 in the main text discusses the Purpose of Punishment and Sentencing Trends, and Chapter 2 in The American Prison discusses the concept of “Restorative Prison.”
Direction: Please read both chapters in your main and supplemental text and complete the required two page review. Your summary document should include the following: 1) at least five major arguments presented in the chapter or at least five things you learned from reading the chapter, PLEASE NOTE – Just listing five items/points will not guarantee you full points, (2) present a brief critique of the reading, and 3) your response to the discussion questions listed below.
Discussion questions:
1. Compare and contrast the retributive justice and restorative philosophies of punishment.
2. What is deterrence? Explain the types of deterrence.
3. Please read Chapter 2 in “The American Prison” – The Restorative Prison by Lois Presser. Discuss the differences between restorative prisons and the current prison system in America. Do you think our prisons can ever be restorative? I would like for you to watch an episode of “LOCKUP” on MSNBC (Channel 356 on Direct TV, not sure about the other TV services ) to inform your responses.
4.If you were facing a trial for a crime you did not commit, would you consider pleading guilty to a lesser crime to avoid a trail? What factors would influence your decision? Discuss.
