This article had a lot of good points of view. The one that intrigued me the most was the views on mental illness. As someone who is an advocate on mental illness, i believe as a society it is almost sort of taboo. Yes, on the news when a high profile case involves someone who is mentally ill we talk about, Or when someone famous commits suicide for example ( Robin Williams) we talk about it. But why should it take someone in the spotlight for us to talk about it! I believe we should have just as many mental health programs as we do for drugs and alcohol. Mental illness is real, and I feel like the rate of offenders with a mental illness is rising. I'm not saying all offenders with a mental Illness shouldn't go to jail, I'm just stating we should focus on the topic more. This article Gives us all a lot to think about -dicaprio456
I completely agree, why should it take some one who was famous that had a mental illness to kill them self before the media or even the public has to talk about it? This kind of stuff happens all of the time and is just kind of stuffed under the rug. If we increased the amount of mental health programs to become equivalent with the number of drug related programs, I feel we would be better off. ~sparks456
I agree with you on the mental health problems. It shouldn't take someone famous to do something before we realize that its a problem. I agree that we should have more programs to help people with mental health. We should be a little more lenient with people with mental health based on the severity of the crime they committed. dragons456
I agree, I think this should only go to an extent just as dragons456 said. I do feel it does need to be studied more. There are a lot of room for what mental illness can lintel. Though the media downs the idea of mental illness as the defense will ALWAYS try to use that as a crutch to justify why the crime was done. Not all mental illness crimes are murder oriented and should provide relief to the crimes that aren't a capitol crime. Though I don't enough information on the subject matter to have an opposing view on sentencing. Palmdaddy456
The points addressed in this article are points that I think a lot of the U.S. population would love to see reformed. For example, the stricter gun laws and back round checks. With as many people that have been killed by guns in the past few years it is time to tighten things up as much as they can. I feel as if they do this then there would not be near as many gun related killings and the public would see a greater decrease in gun violence. However, some might say that by doing this, you are not only making it harder for criminals to access a firearm but it will also make the process for your everyday citizen to get a firearm to hunt with, or use for a sporting activity. sparks~456
I also agree that the reform would help out a lot. You are completely right about the outbreak on guns and how they are used for the wrong purpose. I think that the article was focused on a lot more than just guns. The prosecution and sentencing systems also need to be reformed. I also agree with you about the background checks. People who break the laws need to lose certain privileges. KLICK456 .
I also have to agree with you on the mental illness. I habe no experience with it personally or close to me but look at it just common sense. It doesnt have to hit close to home or be all over the news due to a famous person to know that mental illness is not a choice but an ongoing struggle and fight within the person. That they would choose not to live this if tehy didnt have to example the suicides that go hand in hand with mental illness. Just like any other sickness or disease you do not choose it. compassof04012
I think the article had a lot of really good main points. For example illegal drugs are the motive behind most crime. Stopping the selling and abuse would put an end to a lot of our nations fears. Their points on the mentally ill made a lot of since to me. But that can not be used as an excuse for all crime. Committing a crime like murder is not right no matter if you are mentally healthy or not. The nations sentencing could defiantly use some work. People get sentenced 5 years for selling drugs but someone who breaks into cars gets put on probation. Also the use of illegal guns causes a lot of problems also, stopping these kinds of people would put an end to a lot of our nations violent crime. The articles points made a lot of since and I think it will help with the violent crime outbreak.
Yes murder is not except able weather you are mentally ill or not. I just believe that if we shined more light on the topic and gave people more recourses those offenders who suffer from mental illness the violent crimes they commit, the rate could lower. I agree with you the system could use a lot of work, -dicaprio456
The article made a lot of good points. For example stricter background checks and licensing for guns due to all of the gun violence in the last couple years. The people who get access to guns when they shouldn't and then they go shoot people are ruining gun privileges for people who obey gun laws so we need stricter guns laws so they can't get access to guns. Another good example is mental health, a lot of people who commit crimes have mental health problems. Their should be more programs that help people with mental health problems. Some people with mental health problems need to be punished for their actions for example of they murder someone because even if you have a mental health problem you know murder is wrong and you should kill someone. The nations sentencing program could use some help. For example some one who gets caught with marijuana get 10 years in prison and someone who breaks into someone else house only gets a couple years if that. dragons456
I thought the subject matters were a good area for change. I think the background checks should always be a must, but the majority of people getting hold of firearms illegally are obtaining them by stealing or from a friend/family/gang member they know. Once you have been arrested with a felony you cannot own a firearm to begin with. With the law, I think they will need to dig deeper into getting those with guns off the street. Point 4 talks about substance abuse.I think the D.A.R.E program was beneficial growing up and still is. The program should be funded more while we cut back on building more prisons. The program can help teach about substance abuse and aid in reducing this in the future because knowledge is power. Point 6 mental illness is rather interesting because we don't fully understand the whys and I think that this is the time to figure out the why. We may never know entirely, but the criminal justice system is set by society to protect society. If someone is mentally ill and have committed a crime such as murder I think they should be charged for that crime. Like the text said "We should not punish someone harshly for being sick,” but I think if they are a threat to society and themselves how is a hefty sentence "harsh." If someone doesn't understand something why should they be exempt to charges that you and I would receive?
I personally agree with your statement about D.A.R.E programs, we need them to show kids that drugs are illegal and they can seriously harm you and others. I also agree with how you talked about cutting budget for prisons, we need to have more programs to actually change people. Not just locking them up so they can think about how to commit the same crime, but better. -Eclipse456
What you are saying about getting "Guns off the streets" has been debated and talked over so many times. It is impossible. Even without our second amendment in place giving us a right by Constitution to own firearms. While that right doesn't apply to felons they will not be affected by "cleaning up the streets" No one that is an avid gun owner is just going to give up their guns. Much less a felon who should not own a firearm in the first place. Craig456
I agree with you on the D.A.R.E program. It is a very beneficial way to hopefully steer the youth away from doing wrong and very stupid things. The mental health issue I also agree. Things like murder everyone knows it's wrong. People should get away with violent crimes and walk free just because an insanity plea. I think counseling and prison time could possibly help those individuals out. ~caz456
I agree with this article. There are many points that come into play when talking about societies crime ratings. There area lot more law enforcement agencies could do to stop this. One thing they could do is more background checks on people, make sure we know who they really are before perusing them. We need more undercover cops to regulate the crime on the street. The article talks about illegal drugs and gun violence climbing in today's society. I think we need to go undercover to try to stop this from happening. Another thing we could do to stop illegal gun and drug use is have more programs regarding it. We need to have people talk to kids in school about it and also advertise it on television more. We will never really know why these crimes occur and why people do it. The article talks about mental illness being a cause of crime, but honestly, how can we actually prove that? -Eclipse456
I agree with the last statement you said. We can't prove that people have a mental illness. What happens if the record isn't record in the first place. I believe that other people surrounding the person that has the mental illness, they should just recognize the fact that they do indeed have a mental illness. bodybuilder456
This article is very interesting in many different ways. I agree that we are putting to many people in jail. If the government is complaining about putting to many people in jail then why are they sending people from misnomers to jail. It doesn't make sense. If they wanted to save some money then they would stop putting those type of people that are actually "Harmless in jail" Bodybuilder456
I agree with you that the United States is putting way to many people in prison. But how can we prevent this from happening? What can the courts, judges, and prosecutors do to make sure this doesn't keep happening? By completing this it will definitely help our government save money! taggswag456
I agree with this article. Reform is not always the best thing to do, but it this case it is needed. Times are much different then they were even just twenty or thirty years ago. So the criminal justice system needs to change with it. While what the criminal justice system is know has worked in the past it is a new era with new people, new crimes so we need new ways of punishment. Also new ways for interpreting punishment. And figuring out just what the person needs to show them that the criminal life is not a life they want to live without locking them up for half their life. Craig456
This article was vey interesting , I agree 100 % with '' reforming ''. Reforming in my opinion, will actually help out a lot. I don't understand why the criminal justice system is all of a sudden just now trying to put force and effort trying to reform, and the system clearly as everyone can see, is falling apart, been falling apart. How the crime and killing rates are now days in the US, is speechless. In my opinion , the advertising and the publishing, is putting a lot on and is mostly responsible for what's going on in todays life. A lot of what s going on today, yes takes affect on the way some people were brought up in life and sometimes the neighborhood, and the people that you communicate with and sometimes peer pressure as well. The criminal system needs a stronger system in my opinion , to stop all crime and the advertisement of crime as wee . for example TV, Radio, and the Internet. if the criminal system is going to talk about reform, the system needs to do it and not talk about it. Socialbutterfly
I agree that the the reform is completely necessary and will hopefully improve the country in whole. However, the justice system has been shifting and reforming for several years now. It takes time to make changes at that level and they are not all immediate. You mentioned the crime rates, but the crime rates have been declining for over 20 years now. We currently live in the most peaceful time the Unites States has ever seen. I do not understand how you are solely blaming advertisement for crime rates. I don't know what you were trying to get across. If you see this I'd like you to please explain what you were trying to say, I'm interested in what you have to say.
I agree with you but I wouldn't say that advertising is 100% responsible for crime. I would say that it is TV and movies can influence people to commit crimes. TV shows and movies can glamorize crime and make it seem way better living a life of crime than a normal life. The crime rates have also been going down for the past decade and it is the media that wants you to think that the crime rates are increasing.
I think, as the article mentioned, that there should be more people released out of captivity and simply put on parole and watched over. Many prisoners are in for drug related incidents. Many never harmed or bothered anyone, they simply had an addiction or sold drugs. Many of them should be allowed out, so they can join the workforce and contribute to their community. Violent offenders should be the ones locked up for years. We should lock up the people who pose a threat to civilians. I agree there should be thorough back ground checks when trying to acquire firearms. Taking away peoples guns is not the answer. People who are committing crimes more than likely did not acquire the gun lawfully. If you take guns away from people who did get them lawfully, now they have no way of defending themselves.
This article makes some very valid reasons about reforming and improving the United States criminal justice system. These points consisted of policing, guns and violence, illegal drugs, substance abuse, prosecution, mentally ill offenders, parole release, community corrections, and sentencing. Policing needs more crime prevention and less arrest over petty actions. Better background checks will help assist the guns and violence in America. To me drug dealers and users should not be spending hard time in prison because why should we waste our money on nonviolent criminals? Also, in the U.S. the government needs to design more places to help fight substance abuse. I really do not see an issue with today’s prosecutors. I feel as if too many people today are diagnosed with a mental disease, defenders have/will take advantage of this as usual. Parole releases need to be more available to only nonviolent crimes no others should get that opportunity. Community corrections are another flaw that needs to be standardized. Last but not least sentencing, U.S. courts need to take a step back and realize what defenders are worth their while to be put away and which ones are clearly not. Overall, this article has a lot of decent reasons to help reform our criminal justice system. Taggswag456
Hopefully the points that are made in this article are taken into effect soon because there are several good points made. I think the part about mental illness was good, but problems could arise out of it. If we are not punishing mentally ill patients, then people who aren't mentally ill could take advantage of it and not go to prison when they really deserve to. This already happens today, but reforming that could possibly make it happen a lot more. I also agree with the gun law reforming such as better background checks and only people with licenses can buy them. Though I want this to happen how do you actually do it? How do you just get better background checks? Where is the liner between a very extensive background check and an invasion of privacy? I hope this reform happens soon but I hope people realize that its not going to happen overnight. It may take up to several years to see the changes take effect.
There have been cases where one may claim to be mentally ill when he or she really is not in order to avoid harsh punishment, but this can be easily solved. If the criminal claims to have a psychiatric problem, then he or she should be sent to a professional psychologist or psychiatrist to actually diagnose them. In a recent and tragic crime, a young boy who was a self-proclaimed schizophrenic murdered his girlfriend and tried getting a less harsh sentence by blaming it on the voices he heard in his head. But with a referral to a professional psychologist, it was found that the boy showed no signs of schizophrenia, but showed signs of very mild autism. His punishment was adjusted since his illness was not as severe as he claimed to be. This may suggest that the reform concerning mental illness would not be as easily taken advantage of as some may think.
I agree with the fact that we should be less harsh on people smoking marijuana. I don't think that's the big problem when it comes to drugs in our society. They should focus less on people who smoke marijuana and focus more on the big time harder drugs like cocaine, meth, and heroin. I think they should fund better substance abuse programs. I've had family involved in substance abuse programs all my life and most of the time my mother has relapsed and started using again. When it comes to those types of programs a huge part of it is self will. Does that person have the will power to make a change for her, her kids, and her family. When it comes to mental health issues I believe that they should try and detect them as soon as possible. If they catch them earlier in life maybe counseling or therapy could save them from doing the crime they got incarcerated for. But if that doesn't happen I think they should implement more therapists inside the walls of prisons and jails. I think that could possibly cut down the number of people who return to jails and prisons. When it comes to sentencing people that have non violent crimes should be put on probation first. If that doesn't work then send them to prison. I think with this method the prisons wouldn't be so over populated. ~caz456
I agree with everything you mentioned in your post. When you mentioned not sentencing for small crimes I agree, also about how people can change, not only for themselves but for other people. I also agree with doing probation first, then if that does not work, we send them to jail. Broncos456
Throughout the article, all of the authors give great ideas on how we can change the Criminal justice system to make it better. When it came to the illegal drugs section, I agree with the authors. Marijuana is becoming part of the "norm" more and more every day. Two states have already legalized it, and many others have legalized it for medical use. There are much bigger problems out there in the drug industry than arresting some kids for having a joint on them. To me, when I read the section about the Mentally Ill Offenders, it got me thinking. I think that they should get in trouble and be put in jail or prison just like anyone else. They broke the law, and that's that. But I also think that there should be some programs to help them once they are on the inside so that they don't do it again. Changing the Criminal Justice System overall is not going to be an easy task. But we are on the right track. - rose456
I do agree with you when you say marijuana should be legalized. As the times change so do the laws. It is becoming a norm. It is proven to help with many people's medical problems/. I agree when you say that there needs to also be programs to help the mentally ill. They did commit a crime so they should be punished but they should also get propore help. dance456
I also believe that marijuana should be legalized. I also believe that some offenders, due to the newly changed law, should be released depending on their conviction. I would not classify cannabis as a hard drug, but more harmless than others. It is most definitely something that should be reconsidered in many states and would reduce taxes on total institutions.KayaJ456
I think "reinventing" the criminal justice system is a very good idea. I like the idea of monitoring what is going on in the field. It will help know what really needs to be fixed. I like the idea of making it harder for people to get guns, but at the same time I feel like people will still go out and get them illegally. I like the idea of cutting sentences for those who are in jail for drug use. I think getting less corrupt prosecutors is also a really good idea. It will treat defendants more fairly. I think that there should be different jails for mentally ill people. they can give them better counciling that they need. It will also make sure they get prapore medication or help. dance456
These ideas on how to reinvent the American criminal justice system were all interesting. I would agree with the majority of these such as how we should increase the amount of care provided to those who are addicted to drugs and the reduction and change of how we treat illegal drug cases. As a psychology major, the point about how our system should deal with those who are mentally ill was most intriguing to me. I wholeheartedly agree with what was stated. Our criminal justice system should recognize the fact that mental illnesses are just as serious and real as physical illnesses and should be treated as such. We need to start treating their illnesses and taking them into consideration before assigning any kind of punishment. As the article states, "We should not punish someone harshly for being sick."
The article has a lot of great points. I also believe that the criminal justice system is in need of a change. Police effectiveness is currently being judged poorly. There could be a lot of "good" cops out doing their job, but the "bad" ones get all of the recognition. However, that also relates to issues with the media. Even though there are gun laws now, the number of homicides and suicides have seemingly increased throughout the years when there weren't gun laws. The gun laws should be stricter than they are now, although, I do not have anything against the conceal carry debate. Drugs in the U.S. have always been a reoccurring issue. If there were stricter border laws and more awareness in the community,they might decrease a lot quicker. Substance abuse treatment is a great idea, however, convicts and or citizens in jail or on probation abuse this opportunity for the reason of quicker release. I do however believe that anyone that is considered mentally ill, and diagnosed with a mental illness by a psychiatrist, should indeed be submitted into an institution with probable cause. I do not think that there are numerous conflicts when approaching the criminal justice system, just the fact that there are a lot of areas that could be improved. KayaJ456
I agree with you. I believe that the criminal justice system needs to change for the better and some of the procedures now are outdated. And again with the media only recognizing the bad cops instead of the good. The world we live in now is so quick to show the evil and hate in our world but they don't seem to want to show the good, which is sad.
This article had many great points to it. The criminal justice system has gotten out of hand and most of the "new rules" are in areas that do need to be improved. For example, when they brought up gun control, I do believe that we should have better background checks and licensing for those who want to purchase guns and the rules should be reinforced. Guns are not the issue, it's the people we allow to have guns. In addition to the guns, when they brought up drugs, another huge issue in America, I agreed on the changes. Drugs have been a continuous issue in the u.s. for many many years, it's time that they make some changes to help seize that issue. Furthermore, the substance abuse treatment. I believe that if you are incarcerated and addicted to any substance, you should be ordered to go through rehab within the jail. It is dangerous for someone who is addicted to any substance to be pulled away without a doctors treatment or watchful eye. It could lead to serious medical issues. I do not believe, however, that they should be able to select wether or not they have to go through the rehab. If they successfully complete their rehab and do their time without mischief, then they could be let out on parole and maybe have a better life going for them.
All of the nine options that were mentioned are all very important. One that stands out to me was the one about guns, with all of the gun and weapon violence we see today on the news, we need to do something like make it harder to get a gun, own a gun, etc. I also like the idea of cutting down the sentencing for prisoners. Prisons are a big cost today with how packed they are now. All of the topics covered are all very important and big issues today. Most of the topics are repeatedly on the news and are the "big stories". I also feel that when criminals go to prison, we arent teaching them anything. They just go away, and wait their time, then get out. What is that correcting? If instead of sentencing we assign parole type punishments or community service, we could see many benefits. We could take the money we save by cutting down prisoners and have classes they are required to attend that could help prevent the crime being committed again. Broncos456
This article was an execllent read. Loved learning about the points they brought up. first being with guns and stricter policy to be able purchase fire arm with background check. I grew up around guns no problems with people having guns just tending up in the wrong hands. Another point was parolees taking a different look and screening not just what the crime was and if they paid debit to society but the individual. My favorite point was mental illness. I have not experince it personally or close to me but just seems like a common sense approach. People cant help being sick or having mental illness the do not choose it or does a jail help them to get better or survive in life. I think all these approaches put togehter can have a huge impact on society and the prisions. compassof04012
The gun violence in America is overwhelming. It is insane the number of lives that have been killed by gun violence since 2000 to 2013 according to the study of David from Harvard University. It is crazy the gun control is an emergency, the background check have to be more rigorous make more harder to a person to buy a gun, combine this problem with alcohol and drugs, is making this even worse our law system need to be check and fix to protect the lives of the citizens. futbol012
I agree with this article because we are sending to many people to jail. There is the debate on which the people committed those crimes are still in jail today from doing those crimes that they committed.
This article had a lot of good points of view. The one that intrigued me the most was the views on mental illness. As someone who is an advocate on mental illness, i believe as a society it is almost sort of taboo. Yes, on the news when a high profile case involves someone who is mentally ill we talk about,
ReplyDeleteOr when someone famous commits suicide for example ( Robin Williams) we talk about it. But why should it take someone in the spotlight for us to talk about it! I believe we should have just as many mental health programs as we do for drugs and alcohol. Mental illness is real, and I feel like the rate of offenders with a mental illness is rising. I'm not saying all offenders with a mental
Illness shouldn't go to jail, I'm just stating we should focus on the topic more. This article
Gives us all a lot to think about -dicaprio456
I completely agree, why should it take some one who was famous that had a mental illness to kill them self before the media or even the public has to talk about it? This kind of stuff happens all of the time and is just kind of stuffed under the rug. If we increased the amount of mental health programs to become equivalent with the number of drug related programs, I feel we would be better off.
Delete~sparks456
I agree with you on the mental health problems. It shouldn't take someone famous to do something before we realize that its a problem. I agree that we should have more programs to help people with mental health. We should be a little more lenient with people with mental health based on the severity of the crime they committed. dragons456
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DeleteI agree, I think this should only go to an extent just as dragons456 said. I do feel it does need to be studied more. There are a lot of room for what mental illness can lintel. Though the media downs the idea of mental illness as the defense will ALWAYS try to use that as a crutch to justify why the crime was done. Not all mental illness crimes are murder oriented and should provide relief to the crimes that aren't a capitol crime. Though I don't enough information on the subject matter to have an opposing view on sentencing.
DeletePalmdaddy456
The points addressed in this article are points that I think a lot of the U.S. population would love to see reformed. For example, the stricter gun laws and back round checks. With as many people that have been killed by guns in the past few years it is time to tighten things up as much as they can. I feel as if they do this then there would not be near as many gun related killings and the public would see a greater decrease in gun violence. However, some might say that by doing this, you are not only making it harder for criminals to access a firearm but it will also make the process for your everyday citizen to get a firearm to hunt with, or use for a sporting activity.
ReplyDeletesparks~456
I also agree that the reform would help out a lot. You are completely right about the outbreak on guns and how they are used for the wrong purpose. I think that the article was focused on a lot more than just guns. The prosecution and sentencing systems also need to be reformed. I also agree with you about the background checks. People who break the laws need to lose certain privileges.
DeleteKLICK456
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I also have to agree with you on the mental illness. I habe no experience with it personally or close to me but look at it just common sense. It doesnt have to hit close to home or be all over the news due to a famous person to know that mental illness is not a choice but an ongoing struggle and fight within the person. That they would choose not to live this if tehy didnt have to example the suicides that go hand in hand with mental illness. Just like any other sickness or disease you do not choose it. compassof04012
DeleteI think the article had a lot of really good main points. For example illegal drugs are the motive behind most crime. Stopping the selling and abuse would put an end to a lot of our nations fears. Their points on the mentally ill made a lot of since to me. But that can not be used as an excuse for all crime. Committing a crime like murder is not right no matter if you are mentally healthy or not. The nations sentencing could defiantly use some work. People get sentenced 5 years for selling drugs but someone who breaks into cars gets put on probation. Also the use of illegal guns causes a lot of problems also, stopping these kinds of people would put an end to a lot of our nations violent crime. The articles points made a lot of since and I think it will help with the violent crime outbreak.
ReplyDeleteYes murder is not except able weather you are mentally ill or not. I just believe that if we shined more light on the topic and gave people more recourses those offenders who suffer from mental illness the violent crimes they commit, the rate could lower. I agree with you the system could use a lot of work, -dicaprio456
DeleteAugust 29,4:03 PM is mine
ReplyDeleteKLICK456
The article made a lot of good points. For example stricter background checks and licensing for guns due to all of the gun violence in the last couple years. The people who get access to guns when they shouldn't and then they go shoot people are ruining gun privileges for people who obey gun laws so we need stricter guns laws so they can't get access to guns. Another good example is mental health, a lot of people who commit crimes have mental health problems. Their should be more programs that help people with mental health problems. Some people with mental health problems need to be punished for their actions for example of they murder someone because even if you have a mental health problem you know murder is wrong and you should kill someone. The nations sentencing program could use some help. For example some one who gets caught with marijuana get 10 years in prison and someone who breaks into someone else house only gets a couple years if that. dragons456
ReplyDeleteI thought the subject matters were a good area for change. I think the background checks should always be a must, but the majority of people getting hold of firearms illegally are obtaining them by stealing or from a friend/family/gang member they know. Once you have been arrested with a felony you cannot own a firearm to begin with. With the law, I think they will need to dig deeper into getting those with guns off the street.
ReplyDeletePoint 4 talks about substance abuse.I think the D.A.R.E program was beneficial growing up and still is. The program should be funded more while we cut back on building more prisons. The program can help teach about substance abuse and aid in reducing this in the future because knowledge is power.
Point 6 mental illness is rather interesting because we don't fully understand the whys and I think that this is the time to figure out the why. We may never know entirely, but the criminal justice system is set by society to protect society. If someone is mentally ill and have committed a crime such as murder I think they should be charged for that crime. Like the text said "We should not punish someone harshly for being sick,” but I think if they are a threat to society and themselves how is a hefty sentence "harsh." If someone doesn't understand something why should they be exempt to charges that you and I would receive?
Palmdaddy456
I personally agree with your statement about D.A.R.E programs, we need them to show kids that drugs are illegal and they can seriously harm you and others. I also agree with how you talked about cutting budget for prisons, we need to have more programs to actually change people. Not just locking them up so they can think about how to commit the same crime, but better. -Eclipse456
DeleteWhat you are saying about getting "Guns off the streets" has been debated and talked over so many times. It is impossible. Even without our second amendment in place giving us a right by Constitution to own firearms. While that right doesn't apply to felons they will not be affected by "cleaning up the streets" No one that is an avid gun owner is just going to give up their guns. Much less a felon who should not own a firearm in the first place. Craig456
DeleteI agree with you on the D.A.R.E program. It is a very beneficial way to hopefully steer the youth away from doing wrong and very stupid things. The mental health issue I also agree. Things like murder everyone knows it's wrong. People should get away with violent crimes and walk free just because an insanity plea. I think counseling and prison time could possibly help those individuals out.
Delete~caz456
I agree with this article. There are many points that come into play when talking about societies crime ratings. There area lot more law enforcement agencies could do to stop this. One thing they could do is more background checks on people, make sure we know who they really are before perusing them. We need more undercover cops to regulate the crime on the street. The article talks about illegal drugs and gun violence climbing in today's society. I think we need to go undercover to try to stop this from happening. Another thing we could do to stop illegal gun and drug use is have more programs regarding it. We need to have people talk to kids in school about it and also advertise it on television more. We will never really know why these crimes occur and why people do it. The article talks about mental illness being a cause of crime, but honestly, how can we actually prove that? -Eclipse456
ReplyDeleteI agree with the last statement you said. We can't prove that people have a mental illness. What happens if the record isn't record in the first place. I believe that other people surrounding the person that has the mental illness, they should just recognize the fact that they do indeed have a mental illness. bodybuilder456
DeleteThis article is very interesting in many different ways. I agree that we are putting to many people in jail. If the government is complaining about putting to many people in jail then why are they sending people from misnomers to jail. It doesn't make sense. If they wanted to save some money then they would stop putting those type of people that are actually "Harmless in jail" Bodybuilder456
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that the United States is putting way to many people in prison. But how can we prevent this from happening? What can the courts, judges, and prosecutors do to make sure this doesn't keep happening? By completing this it will definitely help our government save money! taggswag456
DeleteI agree with this article. Reform is not always the best thing to do, but it this case it is needed. Times are much different then they were even just twenty or thirty years ago. So the criminal justice system needs to change with it. While what the criminal justice system is know has worked in the past it is a new era with new people, new crimes so we need new ways of punishment. Also new ways for interpreting punishment. And figuring out just what the person needs to show them that the criminal life is not a life they want to live without locking them up for half their life. Craig456
ReplyDeleteThis article was vey interesting , I agree 100 % with '' reforming ''. Reforming in my opinion, will actually help out a lot. I don't understand why the criminal justice system is all of a sudden just now trying to put force and effort trying to reform, and the system clearly as everyone can see, is falling apart, been falling apart. How the crime and killing rates are now days in the US, is speechless. In my opinion , the advertising and the publishing, is putting a lot on and is mostly responsible for what's going on in todays life. A lot of what s going on today, yes takes affect on the way some people were brought up in life and sometimes the neighborhood, and the people that you communicate with and sometimes peer pressure as well. The criminal system needs a stronger system in my opinion , to stop all crime and the advertisement of crime as wee . for example TV, Radio, and the Internet. if the criminal system is going to talk about reform, the system needs to do it and not talk about it. Socialbutterfly
ReplyDeleteI agree that the the reform is completely necessary and will hopefully improve the country in whole. However, the justice system has been shifting and reforming for several years now. It takes time to make changes at that level and they are not all immediate. You mentioned the crime rates, but the crime rates have been declining for over 20 years now. We currently live in the most peaceful time the Unites States has ever seen. I do not understand how you are solely blaming advertisement for crime rates. I don't know what you were trying to get across. If you see this I'd like you to please explain what you were trying to say, I'm interested in what you have to say.
DeleteEarthquake456
I agree with you but I wouldn't say that advertising is 100% responsible for crime. I would say that it is TV and movies can influence people to commit crimes. TV shows and movies can glamorize crime and make it seem way better living a life of crime than a normal life. The crime rates have also been going down for the past decade and it is the media that wants you to think that the crime rates are increasing.
DeleteGodFieri456
I think, as the article mentioned, that there should be more people released out of captivity and simply put on parole and watched over. Many prisoners are in for drug related incidents. Many never harmed or bothered anyone, they simply had an addiction or sold drugs. Many of them should be allowed out, so they can join the workforce and contribute to their community. Violent offenders should be the ones locked up for years. We should lock up the people who pose a threat to civilians. I agree there should be thorough back ground checks when trying to acquire firearms. Taking away peoples guns is not the answer. People who are committing crimes more than likely did not acquire the gun lawfully. If you take guns away from people who did get them lawfully, now they have no way of defending themselves.
ReplyDeleteEarthquake 456
This article makes some very valid reasons about reforming and improving the United States criminal justice system. These points consisted of policing, guns and violence, illegal drugs, substance abuse, prosecution, mentally ill offenders, parole release, community corrections, and sentencing. Policing needs more crime prevention and less arrest over petty actions. Better background checks will help assist the guns and violence in America. To me drug dealers and users should not be spending hard time in prison because why should we waste our money on nonviolent criminals? Also, in the U.S. the government needs to design more places to help fight substance abuse. I really do not see an issue with today’s prosecutors. I feel as if too many people today are diagnosed with a mental disease, defenders have/will take advantage of this as usual. Parole releases need to be more available to only nonviolent crimes no others should get that opportunity. Community corrections are another flaw that needs to be standardized. Last but not least sentencing, U.S. courts need to take a step back and realize what defenders are worth their while to be put away and which ones are clearly not. Overall, this article has a lot of decent reasons to help reform our criminal justice system. Taggswag456
ReplyDeleteHopefully the points that are made in this article are taken into effect soon because there are several good points made. I think the part about mental illness was good, but problems could arise out of it. If we are not punishing mentally ill patients, then people who aren't mentally ill could take advantage of it and not go to prison when they really deserve to. This already happens today, but reforming that could possibly make it happen a lot more. I also agree with the gun law reforming such as better background checks and only people with licenses can buy them. Though I want this to happen how do you actually do it? How do you just get better background checks? Where is the liner between a very extensive background check and an invasion of privacy? I hope this reform happens soon but I hope people realize that its not going to happen overnight. It may take up to several years to see the changes take effect.
ReplyDeleteGodFieri456
There have been cases where one may claim to be mentally ill when he or she really is not in order to avoid harsh punishment, but this can be easily solved. If the criminal claims to have a psychiatric problem, then he or she should be sent to a professional psychologist or psychiatrist to actually diagnose them. In a recent and tragic crime, a young boy who was a self-proclaimed schizophrenic murdered his girlfriend and tried getting a less harsh sentence by blaming it on the voices he heard in his head. But with a referral to a professional psychologist, it was found that the boy showed no signs of schizophrenia, but showed signs of very mild autism. His punishment was adjusted since his illness was not as severe as he claimed to be. This may suggest that the reform concerning mental illness would not be as easily taken advantage of as some may think.
DeleteOldHollywood456
I agree with the fact that we should be less harsh on people smoking marijuana. I don't think that's the big problem when it comes to drugs in our society. They should focus less on people who smoke marijuana and focus more on the big time harder drugs like cocaine, meth, and heroin. I think they should fund better substance abuse programs. I've had family involved in substance abuse programs all my life and most of the time my mother has relapsed and started using again. When it comes to those types of programs a huge part of it is self will. Does that person have the will power to make a change for her, her kids, and her family. When it comes to mental health issues I believe that they should try and detect them as soon as possible. If they catch them earlier in life maybe counseling or therapy could save them from doing the crime they got incarcerated for. But if that doesn't happen I think they should implement more therapists inside the walls of prisons and jails. I think that could possibly cut down the number of people who return to jails and prisons. When it comes to sentencing people that have non violent crimes should be put on probation first. If that doesn't work then send them to prison. I think with this method the prisons wouldn't be so over populated.
ReplyDelete~caz456
I agree with everything you mentioned in your post. When you mentioned not sentencing for small crimes I agree, also about how people can change, not only for themselves but for other people. I also agree with doing probation first, then if that does not work, we send them to jail.
DeleteBroncos456
Throughout the article, all of the authors give great ideas on how we can change the Criminal justice system to make it better. When it came to the illegal drugs section, I agree with the authors. Marijuana is becoming part of the "norm" more and more every day. Two states have already legalized it, and many others have legalized it for medical use. There are much bigger problems out there in the drug industry than arresting some kids for having a joint on them. To me, when I read the section about the Mentally Ill Offenders, it got me thinking. I think that they should get in trouble and be put in jail or prison just like anyone else. They broke the law, and that's that. But I also think that there should be some programs to help them once they are on the inside so that they don't do it again. Changing the Criminal Justice System overall is not going to be an easy task. But we are on the right track.
ReplyDelete- rose456
I do agree with you when you say marijuana should be legalized. As the times change so do the laws. It is becoming a norm. It is proven to help with many people's medical problems/. I agree when you say that there needs to also be programs to help the mentally ill. They did commit a crime so they should be punished but they should also get propore help.
Deletedance456
I also believe that marijuana should be legalized. I also believe that some offenders, due to the newly changed law, should be released depending on their conviction. I would not classify cannabis as a hard drug, but more harmless than others. It is most definitely something that should be reconsidered in many states and would reduce taxes on total institutions.KayaJ456
DeleteI think "reinventing" the criminal justice system is a very good idea. I like the idea of monitoring what is going on in the field. It will help know what really needs to be fixed. I like the idea of making it harder for people to get guns, but at the same time I feel like people will still go out and get them illegally. I like the idea of cutting sentences for those who are in jail for drug use. I think getting less corrupt prosecutors is also a really good idea. It will treat defendants more fairly. I think that there should be different jails for mentally ill people. they can give them better counciling that they need. It will also make sure they get prapore medication or help.
ReplyDeletedance456
These ideas on how to reinvent the American criminal justice system were all interesting. I would agree with the majority of these such as how we should increase the amount of care provided to those who are addicted to drugs and the reduction and change of how we treat illegal drug cases. As a psychology major, the point about how our system should deal with those who are mentally ill was most intriguing to me. I wholeheartedly agree with what was stated. Our criminal justice system should recognize the fact that mental illnesses are just as serious and real as physical illnesses and should be treated as such. We need to start treating their illnesses and taking them into consideration before assigning any kind of punishment. As the article states, "We should not punish someone harshly for being sick."
ReplyDeleteOldHollywood456
The article has a lot of great points. I also believe that the criminal justice system is in need of a change. Police effectiveness is currently being judged poorly. There could be a lot of "good" cops out doing their job, but the "bad" ones get all of the recognition. However, that also relates to issues with the media. Even though there are gun laws now, the number of homicides and suicides have seemingly increased throughout the years when there weren't gun laws. The gun laws should be stricter than they are now, although, I do not have anything against the conceal carry debate. Drugs in the U.S. have always been a reoccurring issue. If there were stricter border laws and more awareness in the community,they might decrease a lot quicker. Substance abuse treatment is a great idea, however, convicts and or citizens in jail or on probation abuse this opportunity for the reason of quicker release. I do however believe that anyone that is considered mentally ill, and diagnosed with a mental illness by a psychiatrist, should indeed be submitted into an institution with probable cause. I do not think that there are numerous conflicts when approaching the criminal justice system, just the fact that there are a lot of areas that could be improved. KayaJ456
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I believe that the criminal justice system needs to change for the better and some of the procedures now are outdated. And again with the media only recognizing the bad cops instead of the good. The world we live in now is so quick to show the evil and hate in our world but they don't seem to want to show the good, which is sad.
Deletetiger456
This article had many great points to it. The criminal justice system has gotten out of hand and most of the "new rules" are in areas that do need to be improved. For example, when they brought up gun control, I do believe that we should have better background checks and licensing for those who want to purchase guns and the rules should be reinforced. Guns are not the issue, it's the people we allow to have guns. In addition to the guns, when they brought up drugs, another huge issue in America, I agreed on the changes. Drugs have been a continuous issue in the u.s. for many many years, it's time that they make some changes to help seize that issue. Furthermore, the substance abuse treatment. I believe that if you are incarcerated and addicted to any substance, you should be ordered to go through rehab within the jail. It is dangerous for someone who is addicted to any substance to be pulled away without a doctors treatment or watchful eye. It could lead to serious medical issues. I do not believe, however, that they should be able to select wether or not they have to go through the rehab. If they successfully complete their rehab and do their time without mischief, then they could be let out on parole and maybe have a better life going for them.
ReplyDeleteTiger456
All of the nine options that were mentioned are all very important. One that stands out to me was the one about guns, with all of the gun and weapon violence we see today on the news, we need to do something like make it harder to get a gun, own a gun, etc. I also like the idea of cutting down the sentencing for prisoners. Prisons are a big cost today with how packed they are now. All of the topics covered are all very important and big issues today. Most of the topics are repeatedly on the news and are the "big stories". I also feel that when criminals go to prison, we arent teaching them anything. They just go away, and wait their time, then get out. What is that correcting? If instead of sentencing we assign parole type punishments or community service, we could see many benefits. We could take the money we save by cutting down prisoners and have classes they are required to attend that could help prevent the crime being committed again. Broncos456
ReplyDeleteThis article was an execllent read. Loved learning about the points they brought up. first being with guns and stricter policy to be able purchase fire arm with background check. I grew up around guns no problems with people having guns just tending up in the wrong hands. Another point was parolees taking a different look and screening not just what the crime was and if they paid debit to society but the individual. My favorite point was mental illness. I have not experince it personally or close to me but just seems like a common sense approach. People cant help being sick or having mental illness the do not choose it or does a jail help them to get better or survive in life. I think all these approaches put togehter can have a huge impact on society and the prisions. compassof04012
ReplyDeleteThe gun violence in America is overwhelming. It is insane the number of lives that have been killed by gun violence since 2000 to 2013 according to the study of David from Harvard University. It is crazy the gun control is an emergency, the background check have to be more rigorous make more harder to a person to buy a gun, combine this problem with alcohol and drugs, is making this even worse our law system need to be check and fix to protect the lives of the citizens. futbol012
ReplyDeleteI agree with this article because we are sending to many people to jail. There is the debate on which the people committed those crimes are still in jail today from doing those crimes that they committed.
ReplyDelete-savage456
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