Course Correctional Services. Unit VIII Current and Future Issues of Corrections

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1 Course Correctional Services Unit VIII Current and Future Issues of Corrections Essential Question What current issues are correctional administrators facing in today s society? TEKS (c) (1)(A) (6)(A C)(D)(H) (7)(A)(B)(C) Prior Student Learning ne Estimated Time 2 hours. Current Issues in Corrections Rationale The field of corrections is constantly changing. To be effective, correctional officers must be aware of the current issues that corrections administrators face on a daily basis. Objectives The student will be able to: 1. Discuss the causes of increases and decreases in prison and jail populations 2. Explore the role that politics plays in setting correctional policies 3. Identify the impact of budgets on correctional policy 4. Examine the need for staff diversity in the correctional institution 5. Analyze the effectiveness of treatment programs 6. Research the impact of technology on corrections Engage Do an Internet search for the following video: the cost of a nation of incarceration. Show the video to the class. Use the video for a class discussion about the current rates of incarceration and the many alternatives to incarceration that are available. Use the Discussion Rubric for assessment. Key Points I. Current Issues in Corrections A. Fluctuations in prison and jail populations 1. For years there was a significant increase in the prison and jail populations 2. However, from 2009 to 2010, both jails and prisons had a decline in their populations (Seiter, 2013) 3. From 2000 to 2010 there was an increase in the number of inmates housed in private prisons 4. Reasons for the slowdown in the corrections population: a) It is natural that after a significant period of growth, with large numbers of incarcerations, that there would be a decrease in admissions and population b) Political agendas are targeting corrections budgets (1) Penalties are being lessened because of the need to balance the budget (2) The effectiveness of tougher penalties has been questioned c) There was previously an era of lengthening sentences, but now, because of the need to balance budgets, sentences are becoming less stringent d) Many states have increased their use of alternatives to 1

2 incarceration, and these efforts are finally having some impact. (Seiter, 2013) e) The cost to incarcerate individuals continues to rise, and public safety does not seem to be increasing with the larger number of incarcerations f) Alternatives to incarcerations, such as probation, have proven to be more cost effective when offenders are properly classified according to their risk g) The cost of building and maintaining correctional facilities can be taxing on a government s budget. Since the economy slowed in 2008, the government s budget continues to be a challenge 5. With indeterminate sentencing, offenders went before the parole board when they had served the minimum sentence and many were released on their first appearance 6. Between 1990 and 2005, more than 500 prisons were built across the country, increasing the number of facilities nationwide by 42 percent. (Clear, 2013) a) Recent research suggests that if you build more prison beds, it causes judges to assess prison time instead of probation b) William Spelman analyzed prison populations and found that state spending on new prison construction greatly predicted population increases (Clear, 2013) 7. Minorities are subjected to the criminal justice system at much higher rates than whites (Clear, 2013) a) Disparity the unequal treatment of one group by the criminal justice system, compared with the treatment accorded other groups (Clear, 2013) B. Politics and policy 1. Politicians rarely make decisions based on research, cost analysis, or the weighing of alternatives a) Most often they make decisions based on the public s perception of the right thing to do (Seiter, 2013) in order to get themselves (re)elected 2. Changes in sentencing and incarceration policies have more impact on inmate population than anything else a) Due to changes in policy there was an 88 percent increase in population growth between 1980 and 1996 b) Only 12 percent of the growth was the result of changes in the crime rate or the makeup of criminal offenders (Seiter, 2013) 3. Politicians do not want to be known for being soft on crime a) Ronald Reagan implemented a policy with tougher penalties for federal drug offenders, causing the federal prison population to increase b) George Bush successfully used the public s fear of crime to defeat his opponent in the 1988 presidential campaign 2

3 4. When correctional spending increases, budgeting for other services, including the services that reduce crime (i.e. higher education, child care, mental health, and medical services), decreases 5. Sentencing guidelines and set sentencing policies remove the discretion of judges and correctional professionals a) This one-size-fits-all sentencing reduces the chance for successful rehabilitation (Seiter, 2013) 6. Research has shown that the public favors addressing the root cause of crime rather than creating tougher sentences (Seiter, 2013) (i.e. The public wants to see rehabilitation through education and job training) 7. Polls also suggest that the war on drugs has left our prisons full a) However, most people see drug addiction as a medical problem instead of a criminal problem b) Most people favor counseling and treatment over incarceration (Seiter, 2013) C. The impact of budgets on correctional policy 1. Budget shortfalls and the need to reduce spending are forcing policies to focus on cheaper alternatives to incarceration (i.e. community supervision) a) A good example is Texas, which avoided spending an estimated $523 million in more prison beds by expanding drug treatment and diversion beds, many of them in secure facilities (Seiter, 2013) b) Texas also changed parole practices and expanded drug courts (Seiter, 2013) 2. Changing how parole and probation violations are processed is also aimed at reducing spending a) Parole violations account for a large number of incarcerated inmates b) Some violators are returned to prison for technical violations only c) Those violations are now being handled by community sanctions such as electronic monitoring, community service, and day reporting centers 3. States are also focusing on releasing and reducing recidivism by offering good-time credit and transitional programs to offenders 4. Prison policy is directed mostly by the budget a) Earned time credit is being pushed as a reform measure to reduce budget restraints b) Offenders in 21 states are now being granted time off of their sentences if they complete required coursework c) 18 states are giving credit for work assignments d) 14 states assign credit for rehabilitation programs e) 13 states are awarding credit for meritorious services (Clear, 3

4 2013) D. Staff Diversity 1. Staff diversity the representation of a wide variety (in gender, race, and ethnicity) of people working for a correctional agency (Seiter, 2013) 2. Staff diversity is important for several reasons: a) Women bring a calming effect into the men s prison environment and double the workforce pool b) Diversity aids in correctional management because large numbers of the incarcerated population are minorities c) Corrections personnel learn from each other, which provides better supervision of the inmates 3. There has been a tremendous shift in the cultural representation of the prison population a) w there is a disproportionately large Black and Hispanic population 4. Correctional staff must be representative of the inmate population in order to avoid incidents such as the Attica Prison Riot of 1971 a) The Attica Prison Riot of 1971 occurred when white staff supervised predominately black and Hispanic inmates. This was partly due to cultural and racial differences that led to hostility, mistrust, and a lack of communication that continued to escalate E. Effectiveness of treatment programs 1. The public support for treatment programs comes with an expectation that they will reduce recidivism 2. There has been no significant findings that these programs reduce recidivism a) This led to a move from indeterminate to determinate sentencing with an emphasis on deterrence and incapacitation (Seiter, 485) 3. Recidivism commission of any new crime during the period of community supervision and a return to prison (Seiter, 2013) F. Impact of technology on corrections 1. Some institutions are starting to use electronic messaging ( ) to reduce the cost of hiring mailroom staff a) Family members can pay a fee and then send a letter through to the offender, which is then printed and delivered b) Software programs automatically search for key words, which improves security and reduces staff time c) The system pays for itself through the fees charged d) Inmates can access through centrally located kiosks that are connected to secure servers and have no access to the Internet 2. Drug detection devices are now used to detect small amounts of drugs that are placed on envelopes 4

5 3. Technology is available that detects cell phone signals within prisons in order to help locate and confiscate the cell phones, but the technology is expensive 4. The use of Global Positioning System (GPS) helps community supervision officers monitor their high risk offenders 5. Some agencies use advanced body armor to protect their officers 6. The United States Department of Defense has developed the Staff Alarm and Inmate Tracking System (SAINT), which allows officers to activate an alarm that then a) Pin points an inmate s location on the system and b) Activates the cameras in that vicinity Activities 1. Correctional Policy Activity. Divide the class into groups. Have them work together to create at least four reform policies to ease the growing prison population in the local area. Give them the following suggestions: Analyze the need to: reduce the length of sentences; restrict the use of prison beds for parole violators; and increase the use of community resources for probation violators Consider the punishment alternatives for victimless crimes Consider reducing probation and parole sentences, parole and probation revocation rates, and utilization of intermediate sanctions Research the current policies in your area (if needed) before suggesting reforms When finished have the groups present their proposals to the class. Use the Group Evaluation Rubric, the Peer Evaluation Rubric, the Presentation Rubric and the Research Rubric for assessment. Assessments Current Issues in Corrections Quiz and Key Discussion Rubric Group Evaluation Rubric Peer Evaluation Rubric Presentation Rubric Research Rubric Writing Rubric Materials Current Issues in Corrections computer-based presentation Computers with Internet Access Optional: research materials (textbooks) and computer-based presentation software Resources Seiter, Richard P. Corrections: An Introduction. 4 th Edition. Boston: 5

6 Pearson, Clear, Todd R., George F. Cole and Michael D. Reisig. American Corrections. Tenth Edition. United States. Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, Do an Internet search for the following: the cost of a nation of incarceration Accommodations for Learning Differences For reinforcement, have the students research the current issues in corrections such as budget, staffing, legislative changes, and policies. This can either be done individually or in groups. Use the Research Rubric for assessment. For enrichment, divide the students into teams. Then have the teams create new legislation that would help to decrease the prison population and to ease the overstressed correctional budgets. The teams may focus on nonviolent offenders, drug offenses, or any other type of crime they feel would significantly impact the prison population. Use the Group Evaluation Rubric and the Writing Rubric for assessment. State Education Standards Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career and Technical Education Correctional Services (One to Two Credits). (1) The student researches the history of correctional services. The student is expected to: (A) examine the history of corrections in the United States and Texas; (6) The student recognizes constitutional laws and laws of correctional systems. The student is expected to: (A) apply constitutional laws and the laws of arrest to execute official correctional service duties while respecting citizen rights; (B) explore the impact of the United States legal system on the correctional system; (C) differentiate between the civil and criminal justice systems and explain how change impacts correctional services; (H) state the conditions under which citizens and noncitizens of the United States may be interrogated in the correctional environment. (7) The student models behaviors during interactions with prisoners that demonstrate concern for individuals with disabilities. The student is expected to: (A) apply the appropriate procedures for use with individuals who have mental disorders, physical disabilities, communication disorders, and atypical behaviors; 6

7 (B) (C) execute protocols to provide appropriate assistance to people with disabilities and impairments; and analyze the impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act on inmates and correctional staff. College and Career Readiness Standards English Language Arts Standards III. Speaking A. Understand the elements of communication both in informal group discussions and formal presentations (e.g., accuracy, relevance, rhetorical features, organization of information). 1. Understand how style and content of spoken language varies in different contexts and influences the listener s understanding. B. Develop effective speaking styles for both group and one-on-one situations. 2. Participate actively and effectively in group discussions. 3. Plan and deliver focused and coherent presentations that convey clear and distinct perspectives and demonstrate solid reasoning. 7

8 Name Date Current Issues in Corrections Quiz 1. Since 2010 the prison and jail populations have decreased. Which of the following is NOT a reason for this decline? A. It is only natural for populations to decrease after a period of growth B. Penalties are being lessened because of a need to balance budgets C. States are creating harsher sentences D. States are increasing the use of community sanctions 2. What does research suggest about the public policy on incarceration? A. They favor treating the root cause of crime B. They favor incarcerating all drug offenders C. They favor tougher sentences D. They favor giving judges more discretion 3. Texas decreased their budget by $523 million dollars by doing which of the following? A. Building more prisons B. Increasing sentences for drug offenders C. Returning parole violators to prison for technical violations D. Expanding drug treatment and diversion beds 4. Many agencies are finding creative ways to reduce their budgets. Which of the following has NOT contributed to the reduction of spending? A. Handling parole violators through use of community sanctions B. Increasing sentences for drug offenders C. Diverting offenders to rehabilitation centers D. Allowing offenders to earn good time credit toward early release 5. Staff diversity is important for all of the following reasons, except which of the following? A. Women bring a calming effect to a men s prison environment B. Diversity aids in correctional management since many offenders are minorities C. Diversity causes segregation among the prison population D. Diversity in staff helps create a positive representation among inmates 8

9 6. Which of the following would NOT be a form of recidivism? A. Committing a burglary while on parole B. Completing a sentence and being returned to prison for a new crime C. Committing a robbery while on community supervision D. Committing a technical violation while on probation 7. Which of the following is NOT an example of the use of technology in the correctional environment? A. Use of electronic messaging to allow inmates to send and receive mail without mailroom staffing B. Use of officers to conduct shake downs on a regular basis to find contraband C. Use of Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking to monitor high risk offenders on community supervision D. Use of drug detection devices to detect small amounts of drugs on inmate mail 8. Budget shortfalls and the need to reduce spending are forcing policy-makers to focus on which of the following? A. Cheaper alternatives to incarceration, such as community supervision B. Building more prison beds C. Creating tougher sentencing laws D. Increasing the use of technology 9. Which of the following areas is a current issue in corrections? A. Correctional policy s impact on budget B. Staff Diversity C. The impact of technology on corrections D. All of the above 10. Which of the following is NOT a method to reduce correctional spending through community sanctions? A. Electronic monitoring B. Good time credits C. Prison drug treatment programs D. Community service and day reporting centers 9

10 Current Issues in Corrections Quiz Key 1. C 2. A 3. D 4. B 5. C 6. D 7. B 8. A 9. D 10. C 10

11 Name Date Group 1 Group Evaluation Did the group take the assignment seriously? Could you tell what the group was trying to portray? Was the group portrayal creative? Did the group include the correct elements? Would you like to see this group demonstrate its talent for you in the future? Group 2 Did the group take the assignment seriously? Could you tell what the group was trying to portray? Was the group portrayal creative? Did the group include the correct elements? Would you like to see this group demonstrate its talent for you in the future? 11

12 Group 3 Did the group take the assignment seriously? Could you tell what the group was trying to portray? Was the group portrayal creative? Did the group include the correct elements? Would you like to see this group demonstrate its talent for you in the future? Group 4 Did the group take the assignment seriously? Could you tell what the group was trying to portray? Was the group portrayal creative? Did the group include the correct elements? Would you like to see this group demonstrate its talent for you in the future? 12

13 Group 5 Did the group take the assignment seriously? Could you tell what the group was trying to portray? Was the group portrayal creative? Did the group include the correct elements? Would you like to see this group demonstrate its talent for you in the future? Group 6 Did the group take the assignment seriously? Could you tell what the group was trying to portray? Was the group portrayal creative? Did the group include the correct elements? Would you like to see this group demonstrate its talent for you in the future? 13

14 Your Name Your Group Number Peer Evaluation 1) Name of Student At what level of seriousness did they take this activity? t Very Serious Very Serious Did they make a significant contribution to the brainstorming process? Did they make a significant contribution to preparing for the activity? What was the level of their participation in the activity(s)? ne A Lot Would you want to work with this person in a group again based on their level of productivity? 2) Name of Student At what level of seriousness did they take this activity? t Very Serious Very Serious Did they make a significant contribution to the brainstorming process? Did they make a significant contribution to preparing for the activity? What was the level of their participation in the activity(s)? ne A Lot Would you want to work with this person in a group again based on their level of productivity? 14

15 3) Name of Student At what level of seriousness did they take this activity? t Very Serious Very Serious Did they make a significant contribution to the brainstorming process? Did they make a significant contribution to preparing for the activity? What was the level of their participation in the activity(s)? ne A Lot Would you want to work with this person in a group again based on their level of productivity? 4) Name of Student At what level of seriousness did they take this activity? t Very Serious Very Serious Did they make a significant contribution to the brainstorming process? Did they make a significant contribution to preparing for the activity? What was the level of their participation in the activity(s)? ne A Lot Would you want to work with this person in a group again based on their level of productivity? 15

16 5) Name of Student At what level of seriousness did they take this activity? t Very Serious Very Serious Did they make a significant contribution to the brainstorming process? Did they make a significant contribution to preparing for the activity? What was the level of their participation in the activity(s)? ne A Lot Would you want to work with this person in a group again based on their level of productivity? 6) Name of Student At what level of seriousness did they take this activity? t Very Serious Very Serious Did they make a significant contribution to the brainstorming process? Did they make a significant contribution to preparing for the activity? What was the level of their participation in the activity(s)? ne A Lot Would you want to work with this person in a group again based on their level of productivity? 16

17 Name Date Objectives 4 pts. Excellent Discussion Rubric 3 pts. Good 2 pts. Needs Some Improvement 1 pt. Needs Much Improvement N/A Pts. Participates in group discussion Encourages others to join the conversation Keeps the discussion progressing to achieve goals Shares thoughts actively while offering helpful recommendations to others Gives credit to others for their ideas Respects the opinions of others Involves others by asking questions or requesting input Expresses thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively Total Points (32 pts.) Comments: 17

18 Name: Date: Presentation Rubric Objectives Topic/Content Topic discussed completely and in-depth Includes properly cited sources (if used) Creativity/Neatness Integrates a variety of multimedia effects to create a professional presentation (transition and graphics) or appropriate visual aid used Title slide, table of contents, bibliography are included, using acceptable format Mechanics Grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization are correct Image and font size are legible to the entire audience Oral Presentation Communicates with enthusiasm and eye contact Voice delivery and projection are dynamic and audible Audience Interaction Presentation holds audience s attention and relates a clear message Clearly and effectively communicates the content throughout the presentation 4 pts. Excellent 3 pts. Good 2 pts. Needs Some Improvement 1 pt. Needs Much Improvement N/A Pts. Total Points (20 pts.) Comments: 18

19 Name Date Objectives Question/goal Student identified and communicated a question or goal of the research 4 pts. Excellent Research Rubric 3 pts. Good 2 pts. Needs Some Improvement 1 pt. Needs Much Improvement N/A Pts. Research/Gathering information (if relevant) Student used a variety of methods and sources to gather information. Student took notes while gathering information Conclusion/Summary Student drew insightful conclusions and observations from the information gathered. Information is organized in a logical manner Communication Student communicated the information gathered and summary or conclusions persuasively. Student demonstrated skill in the use of media used to communicate the results of research Reflection Student reflected on the importance of the research and its potential application Total Points (20 pts.) Comments: 19

20 Name: Date: Writing Rubric Objectives The writing has all required parts from introduction to conclusion in smooth transition. The writing is interesting, supportive, and complete. The writing demonstrates that the writer comprehends the writing process. Accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation 4 pts. Excellent 3 pts. Good 2 pts. Needs Some Improvement 1 pt. Needs Much Improvement N/A Pts. The content of paragraphs emphasizes appropriate points. The writer shows an understanding of sentence structure, paragraphing, and punctuation. All sources and references are clearly and accurately documented. Total Points (28 pts.) Comments: 20