Law of Corrections - Research Paper Example

Law of Corrections Incarnation is retribution and it is meant to unpleasant. Prisons are unattractive places but that does not necessarily suggest that they should be places of violence and misery for inmates. Society will never want ex convents to leave prison and be a part of their lives. It is unjust and inhuman that they depart in a shape worse than they were in before. (Adams, 1992) Society can grow and expand proportionally if they develop and cultivate healthy and positive mind sets and can have an adverse effect if the development strengthens on the pessimistic side. For the same purpose we train and educate are young ones to be useful citizens. But what if they are not! Can they be trained again or they should be punished further to redirect their hatred from one factor to the other. Time has made us all realize that it is high time for us to change our prisons into rehabilitation centers. So to change ex con artist into useful citizens for the same purpose large amount of sources, efforts and determination is required. Prisons are not meant to produce criminals; they should institutes to redevelop sense of reasoning who lack in it. America, the strongest nation financially and economically stable considered country has the most terrifying population in prison. The crime rate has jumped in the following century by leaps and bonds. Indeed the United States is one of the leading countries now who held almost 2 million of their population in prisons. The procedure of incarceration seems to be followed up right after a law of the country is broken. However in recent years courts have played vital role in sustaining the rights of an average citizen and providing them justice and rights even in a complex, disputed matter. Through courts many criminals were able to retain their legitimatize rights which enabled a justified system for a society to prevail in. The phenomena of gang have relatively spread in the counties and cities of America and in prisons in a parallel proportion. But due to inmate gang culture their presence is quite prevalent now and also accepted. The authority to control over these criminals is lacking in some skill which has enabled them to form an inmate gang culture. The criminals have prior gang associations which actually nourished the system and directed its full growth. The purpose seems quite evident to demonstrate the power of authority inside those prison walls, to dominate and to eventually get the benefits of ruling over the naive and weaker ones. And to sustain their safety at all times by affiliating themselves to a gang for security and power struggle. The problem of gang culture was fully identified by Fleisher and Decker in their article; ”An overview of the challenge of Prison gangs”. They wrote that the correction program is disrupted and threatened by these gangs, who afterwards take penalties very calmly as transfers and lockdowns. To make these intriguing members useful, more management and collaboration strategies should be searched and developed, which can facilitate the inmates and sustain their security of life. In 1950, the first gang surfaced in the prison walls and it was called Gypsy Jokers.In The state of Texas only there were 9 prison gangs with more than 50 inmate members.(Allen,2010) In the past, the state of Texas was free of inmate gangs and a transparent system of controlling prevailed there. The hidden factors were the tenders of the prison building, who used to bring inside information to keep the system smooth. They were considered as the guards mingling with the prisoners but assisting the authorities in charge. They worked like under cover agents and used force and intelligence to keep the gangs from flourishing inside the walls. There was only one gang in the prison of California till 1983, it was known as Texas Syndicate which were outnumbered by the under cover agents and caused almost minor disruption. When the law was revised the under cover agents, the building tenders were considered as illegal by Chief Federal Judge William Wayne. He firmly restricted and eliminated the inmate gang controller building tenders. Thus the impact of this law was seen as two major problems arise in such situation. Firstly there was shortage of security staff and secondly it gave full opportunity to inmate gang to develop as the active informants were out of the way. Along with it many guide lines and schedule for the daily routine became mandatory to follow. Which caused havoc in the prison and the authority lost control over prisoners which lead to the unity of gang system According to a government survey, in 1984 the level of violence increased in prisons due to the gang system.(Ralph,Marquart,1992).Afterwards the figure arises instantly as the number of gangs increased by leaps and bonds. To recognize a gang there are some peculiar similarities one need to observe, in addition to their violent activities. Territory of a gang, clothing, leader, group name, set of rules which are followed by all gang members. There are certain rituals associated to the gangs such as blood oath, proving loyalty through sacrifice, indulging oneself in all kind of illegal activities accepted by gang. Gang mainly involve themselves into drug trafficking, sexual superiority and abusiveness simultaneously. The impact of these members can be felt and assessed by an outsider in one glance. The inside prison life and well being of any prisoner, guard, administration and authorities connect to the behavior in which a gang reacts or responds. The environment inside, entirely depends on their violent and substantial outbursts. In prison, an inmate experiences politics, racism, corruption, violence, transgression of correctional officers. But gang members live a more dangerous life as they can’t shield them self unless the situation is in their favor. To be on the safer side an inmate relate himself to a gang so to keep an eye on the aggressors, who intend to hurt. This way a protection of group is suffice so to be satisfied about the upcoming danger. Prison authorities have to be vigilant enough to control the increasing hold of gangs inside the prison. As they control most of the things like assigning easier jobs to gang members and specifying a place, deciding who will eat what .Thus controlling the lives of all who are inside like a jail within a jail. Prison staff can and at times has become an active participant in gang activities. They overlook, take bribes, and give commission to commit crime inside. To summarize it, even the Prison staff is negatively influenced by the gangs. However they do become shields of their gang members to protect them from assaults, abuse or other harm. But according to Gabriel (1996) they do become active participants in the act of violence. According to a research ex convicts bring life in a youth gang and the level of violence increase in them accordingly. Due to their prison experiences they become part of youth gangs.(Howell and Decker,1992). Activities in prison vary .They take taxes of particular cells as cells are made according to the African, Americans, Hispanic, Mexican and Asians. As the drug usage and its trading is quite common in prison so the drug sellers like to stay at the far end from the security section. There are certain terminologies which represent status of a person in prison. Rock represents a race, scissors represents a gang and paper represents people none affiliated. The prisoners who are not affiliated to any gang or inmates often suffer abuse and exploitation. However, if they hold any specific skill like knowledge of the law then their can be exceptions. To manage prisoners and gangs wisely administrators need inside information of their motives and action. This isn’t quite evident from behind the bars, so to develop a secret system of controlling and corrections, they hire or choose special personal inside the cells to act as informants. Intelligence officers work undercover so to eliminate massive criminal and gang activities inside and outside the bars. Administrations are using both intervention and suppression strategies as to control and discipline the threatening activities. In this regard Taylorville Correctional Center stands out as utterly intolerable about gang activities. Strong disciplinary rules are applicable there, if not followed lost of privileges, loss of good time and segregations are the consequences one has to face. Prisons are now being considered as a second opportunity for an inmate to recognize and understand the lawful, stable places in community. The conditions of American prisons actually facilitate the problems linked to gang members and then they put the same impact on society they return to.(Fleisher and Decker,2001).The trend or fashion which a gang adapts becomes mandatory for others to follow so to increase the hurdles for Correction department. Texas the largest correction facility has faced the gang activity problem in the past. Texas Syndicates and Mexican Mafia are and were considered as the strongest gangs .The influence of gang members had strong impact on other inmates. To control it a separate binge of the building was constructed, to separate the trouble maker and counseling them for reasons. Through suppression strategy gang related issues were substantially reduced and racial integration message was conveyed. Others methods were also introduced to bring a decline in gang activities as free-word prosecution, controlling crowd, addition of staff and adapting professional approach. This showed the desired effects on the lives of inmates and the incidents reduced to minimal or low level. The strategies worked for the Texas prison system but the implication was actually studied initially and than was applied. Thorough research and field work was done prior to designing any strategy. The absence of major gang members made it possible for the inmates to follow the correction program and rehab facilities to start life again. Up till today Texas prison system is the most successful system in eliminating gang influences and the gang leaders are discretely locked up in the binge.(Regan,2010) It shouldn’t surprise us after seeing the gang system prevail in restricted zones with ease and how it can not be a part of our society. After the understanding and facing with the fact that crime is nourishing and fully breeding in American society many sociologist and criminologist have searched for the various reasons and purposes behind the actual motive and the intensity of emotions involved, keeping in mind the background of a person. The most important factor that plays vital role in any normal person to involve one self is, past. Threats, fears, complexes, superiority or inferiority complexes, abusiveness by parents or guardians, trust shattering by close mate or family member. There are several other aspects also but to prove one self strong and empowered is like a drug which needs more when in an unlikely situation of end. The force and velocity with which one wants to prove to world to accept them and beheld their importance by their distinguish trait. Not only Texas but in several other states of America youth is highly influenced by gang system. They try to imitate and want to become part of them by using violence which is actually increasing the number of criminal activities in every state. The flare and liking is increased and youth is adapting gang ways in an aggressive manner. Media is exploiting ethical values and twisting young minds. The difference between right and wrong is diminishing the slightest thin line between honesty and diplomacy is melting making a unbalanced human being and through a wider perspective society in large. Many people claim that the strong impact of strength and unity gangs represents is a basic inspiration for them. Where these circumstances are leading or society? Are we going to elect or nominate our leaders from a prison or perhaps a gangster would be a likely candidate? These questions are seriously considered after a huge or brutal criminal act but shortly afterwards we tend to forget it. The amendments which are highly needed in our society are social and ethical values. The elements of respect and rights for others give us a chance to bestow something for others hence negating our desires. Up bringing of our forthcoming generation on these terms can be fruitful and enrich their character traits so to safe them from the negative impact of evil doers. Poverty, unfair distribution of rights, access to law in an unjust manner, fraud, jealously, hate and many more reasons can be a source but every crime has a past. It’s not only connected to the current incident but a human mind endures pressure and reacts or erupts it’s emotional stress in one way or the other. Some hurt themselves and take revenge from the society. The reasons and motives can be many but one key element; which all scholars and criminologist agree upon is, reaction. Any action which became the main cause for a person to behave in an aggressive manner holds a reason. To change reaction into response one must be fully adapt with the stability and intellectual strength of decision making because in many cases the consequences are dreadful. No one can foresee future but predictions can be made upon critical analysis of current situation and how it can turn to adverse affect. It appears gang culture is deep rooted and to weaken it one needs prudence and persistent effort. The proximity is nearby, to stop or reduce the amount of criminal activities which will only increase the gang members to a substantial number. According to a survey 331 people died because of gang violence in Los Angeles (Yager,2001). People and specially children can be infected by the violent effect a gang eliminates by its violent habits. Bibliography: Allen, H. E., Latessa, E. J., & Ponder, B. S. (2010).Corrections in America: An introduction. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall. http://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?collection=journals&handle=hein.journals/fedpro54&div=9&id=&page= Regan, P., & Hoeksma, L. (2010). Fighting chance: Tackling Britains gang culture. London: Hodder & Stoughton. Allen, H. E., Latessa, E. J., & Ponder, B. S. (2010).Corrections in America: An introduction. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall. Allen, H. E., Latessa, E. J., & Ponder, B. S. (2010).Corrections in America: An introduction. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall. Bottom of Form www.lawnet.fordham.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1635&context=ulj https://www.ncjrs.gov/App/Publications/abstract.aspx?ID=141167 http://people.missouristate.edu/michaelcarlie/what_i_learned_about/prisons.htm http://www.veradc.org/statements/fleisher_mark_s.pdf 1. Top of Form Read More