Question: Analyze the impact that various sentencing models have had on corrections. As part of your analysis you must discuss at least two (2) different sentencing models.
The American Criminal Justice system has been taunted to be the most effective correctional system in the globe. There are many stakeholders in the justice system that ensures those who commit crime face the needed punishment. The three main stakeholders include the lawyer, government and the court. Sentencing models are the several jail terms that a criminal who is proven guilty is supposed to serve depending on the nature of the crime committed. The sentencing models' prominent role is to ensure that the system runs smoothly and justice is served. The paper will analyze different sentencing models in the American Criminal Justice System with a critical emphasis on the rate of crime and prison facilities.
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The main aim of a sentencing model is not to make an individual suffer. Instead, the focus is to rehabilitate and individual and create retribution such that they can be members of the society even after committing a crime. Most of the current sentencing models can only achieve a fraction of the two objectives. One of the models is determinate sentencing. In the sentencing model, the court grants the accused that has been found guilty of a set of prison terms ((Spohn, 2014). For instance, an offended can be sentenced two years in prison instead of 'up to two years." in such a sentence, the offender will have the opportunity for an early release. The sentencing model is very uncommon compared to the indeterminate sentencing, where a range of time is provided. The model's impact will be practical as the number of prisoners in the correctional facilities has increased over the century. The state prisons have been on the most affected as the population has increased by 90% since 2000 because of the determinate sentencing model (Spohn, 2014). If the model is effectively used in the courts, there will be a reduction in the prison population. The terms that a person would have served in the correctional facility would be enough to rehabilitate them.
The other model of sentencing if life imprisonment. The promulgation and changes of the constitution have created a difference in the sentencing model. In the past, it was referred to as a death sentence. A person would be hanged in public. Due to humanity's preservation and the right to kill, people are being sentenced for life where they will never leave the prison facility unless the president pardons them. The sentencing model is considered to be the worst. It has led to an increase in the crime rate as an impact in the community. It is expected that the rate of crime in the community will decrease because of the sentencing model. However, life sentencing makes it hard to reduce the crime rate as the goal is not to rehabilitate. If a person can be given a second opportunity to change their behaviour and get back to the community like the other sentencing models, then the crime rate will reduce (Nowotny, 2015). Also, there has been a tremendous increase in the prison population in the correctional facilities.
In conclusion, the goals of each sentencing model should be to rehabilitate. If there is a shift in the plans, then the model will not be sufficient. Most of the disciplinary model should have parole to integrate into the community with close monitoring. Every person deserves a second chance despite the crime that they have committed. Based on the discussion above, the government should focus on the community's needs and not on a corporation after making profits from the sentencing models.
References
Nowotny, K. M. (2015). Race/ethnic disparities in the utilization of treatment for drug dependent inmates in US State correctional facilities. Addictive behaviors , 40 , 148-153.
Spohn, C. (2014). Twentieth‐Century Sentencing Reform Movement: Looking Backward, Moving Forward. Criminology & Public Policy , 13 (4), 535-545.
