300 words for each discussion boards
Discussion board 1 and (complete each discussion board with 300 words)
Introduction
Kroeger (2004) argues that it is an objective truth that government is usually less efficient than the private sector especially when in a price competitive environment. Morris (2011) argues that the public sector can be quite efficient when not handicapped by regulations designed to subsidize the private sector.
The debate of private sector versus public sector has raged for quite some time but the idea of privatization of prisons is relatively new to this debate. No one could deny that competition breeds efficiency in the typical sense that we think of in a free market economy but can we (should we) compare the sale of goods to the confinement and treatment of violent felons?
As you can see in the article "Overview: Trends in the Crime Control Industry," the trend is rapid growth of numbers in adults in private prisons and it does not appear that the trend will be going away.
Instructions
For this discussion, choose a position in favor of or in opposition to privatization of prisons. Research the topic and in your main post:
Explain the rationale behind your position on privatization.
Describe the basis for disagreement with the contrary position of privatization.
Distinguish between working in a privatized prison and a government-run prison from the perspective of a corrections officer.
Discussion board 2
Introduction
Prisons are for confinement of defendants convicted of felonies and sentenced to more than 1 year of incarceration. All other felons, misdemeanants, and city ordinance violators that are sentenced to less than 1 year of confinement and those waiting arraignment go to a jail instead of a prison. Jails are typically run at the local level of government.
According to Minton and Zeng (2015), "The number of inmates confined in county and city jails was an estimated 744,600 at midyear 2014, which was significantly lower than the peak of 785,500 inmates at midyear 2008." They also noted that as of midyear 2014 whites were 47 percent, black’s 35 percent, and Hispanics 15 percent of the jail population.
California reduced its prison population and then had to turn right around and build more local jails to accommodate the former prisoners when they committed new offenses (Rubin, 2015). The jail building business has expanded to such an extent that the U.S. Department of Justice released a 24-page report on how to build community support for new jail construction (Elias, 2006).
Dodge City had Sheriff Matt Dillon; Miami, Florida had Crockett and Tubbs; and Maricopa County, Arizona has Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Obviously, the first two examples were television shows but you do see a lot of Sheriff Arpaio on television. Love him or hate him, he continues to win elections against considerable odds and stands his ground on issues that he believes in.
Instructions
For this discussion, research Sheriff Joe Arpaio's tent city jail in Maricopa County, Arizona. Start by reviewing the Jail Information page in the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Web site.
Research and locate at least one article in support of how Sheriff Arpaio runs his jail and at least one in opposition. (Keep this discussion confined to the operations of the jail and not his drug interdiction techniques and other enforcement efforts of his deputies outside of jail operations.)
In your main post:
Develop the arguments for and against Sheriff Arpaio's tent city jail.
Identify at least one violation of inmate rights that Sheriff Arpaio was sued for and the plaintiff won the suit.
List at least one violation of inmate rights Sheriff Arpaio has been sued for and the plaintiff lost the suit.
Outline why Sheriff Arpaio continues to win elections in spite of all the controversy.
Explain how political climate may have impacted decision making and possible reelection.
Discussion board 3
Introduction
The Miranda decision is pretty cut and dried when police want to question someone about a crime when that person is not free to leave. The police may still question the person if they desire, but they run the risk of the person's statements being inadmissible in court. But what if the police want to ask questions of someone who is already behind bars—whether in jail or prison—about something unrelated to the crime for which he or she is being held? Does the fact that the person is being held by the government imply that he or she is not free to leave the room? Do the same rules apply as for someone who is not incarcerated? This was the question before the U.S. Supreme Court in Howes v. Fields.
Instructions
For this discussion:
Visit Howes v. Fields page (link given in the resources) on Oyez.
Click Oral Argument – October 04, 2011 under Media.
Listen to the first 4 minutes of oral argument with Attorney Bursch and Justice Sonia Sotomayor to set the tone for the basis of this case.
Click Opinion Announcement – February 21, 2012 under Media.
Listen to the Opinion Announcement.
Do any additional research that you feel is necessary for the case of Howes v. Fields using the Oyez Web site or the Capella Library.
In your main post:
Summarize the background of Howes v. Fields and the court decision.
Explain the effect Howes v. Fields might have on a correctional officer in the performance of his or her job.
Describe how an inmate might use the decision in Howes v. Fields to his or her advantage.
Outline how a correctional officer might use the decision in Howes v. Fields to his or her advantage.
Discussion board 4
Instructions
For this discussion, you will switch gears and try to see things from the perspective of an inmate. As a person with a prior conviction for armed robbery for which you already did 3 years, you are now facing 15 hard years for armed robbery and aggravated assault for shooting a convenience store clerk. What role would you assume?
A list of typical roles that inmates assume in prison is given in the resources. This list is adapted from Chapter 12 of your text, which provides more details on these roles or types.
In your main post:
Identify the inmate role you would choose if sent to prison.
Give examples of why or how a particular inmate role would help you to survive in prison.
Analyze how a particular prison role might give you an advantage with the guards.
Compare the advantages of one prisoner role as you see them to one other role.
The roles are down below
Playing a role in prison is often a coping mechanism. Here is a brief list of the most typical roles found in prison culture.
Mean dude – Violence often means you will be left alone or even in solitary confinement.
Hedonist – Live for the moment and grab all the pleasure you can.
Opportunist – Take advantage of what is available such as training or schooling.
Retreatist – Hide from the psychological realities of imprisonment.
Legalist – Jailhouse lawyer.
Radical – See yourself as a political prisoner.
Colonizer – Home is where you are. You like it here.
Religious – Profess a strong religious faith.
Gangbanger – The gang is your lifeline in and out of prison.
Realist – You did the crime so you will do the time, a natural consequence.
