Premium Essay

Tough On Crime Movement Analysis

Submitted By
Words 719
Pages 3
Political decisions have had an impact on the incarceration rates in the criminal justice system. Laws such as three strikes, mandatory sentencing guidelines and increased enforcement of crime have all impacted the incarceration rates of minorities. Many of the people who are incarcerated today are in for non-violent offences. This is the result of laws passed by congress that mandated a get tough attitude on crime and placed mandatory sentences for many offences. Most of these convictions come from drug cases, which most of them were nonviolent cases of possession or distribution. This all stems from the tough on crime movement which started in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. President Nixon spoke on the subject and said “Doubling …show more content…
Many local, state and federal governments have adopted and put into place the policies which in turn have resulted in more drug arrests, more stricter and punitive sentencing, and in some cases the resurgence of the death penalty. An unfortunate result of this get tough attitude has resulted in increased racial profiling and community surveillance (Beckett & Sasson, 2017). The proponents claim that these policies are race- neutral, but the actual result is it’s the poor and people of color who are being adversely affected and caught up in the inequality in the criminal justice system. In their paper, Rise of the Modern “Tough on Crime” Movement, authors, Beckett and Sasson argue “that conservative politicians have worked for decades to alter popular perceptions of crime, delinquency, addiction, and poverty, and to promote policies that involve ‘getting tough’ and ‘cracking down”. Most of the increased focus on crime was center around the drug wars. Political influences dating back to the Nixon administration and continuing all the way through the Clinton administration resulted in the increases of incarceration rates of minorities and poor people. Policies such as mandatory sentencing guidelines kept them in the system and gave all of the people in the communities the feeling that the streets were safer and the government was acting to clean them

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Policy Analysis Iii- Compare and Contrast Paper

...Policy Analysis III- Compare and Contrast Paper Brandy Alston University of Phoenix Criminal Justice Management Theory and Practice CJA/464 Professor Leroy Hendrix October 10, 2013 Policy Analysis III- Compare and Contrast Paper The reason for policy analysis reflects around the assessment of policies from the government by critiquing the failures and successes. The United States implement several policies to deal with criminal activity and social issues, for instance The United States Human Trafficking Policy, this policy is not a successful one but this policy is steadily improving with sustainable reform. The criminal justice system practice the model of Packard’s Due Process, established with the promise form the United States Constitution for individuals civil liberties and rights. This paper will evaluate the issues that courts and law enforcement deals with while working and implementing prior polices. United States Human Trafficking Policy Human trafficking is a tough crime to identify, because of the existence and the transnational nature of an increasingly sophisticated arrangement in assisting organize crime. Trafficking in person is most productive agency in international crimes. According to the United States Justice Department (2001), International Labor Organization predicts that 17,500 individuals are trafficked annually in the United States. The United States had numerous legal advantages to stop human trafficking, mainly using...

Words: 794 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

White Collar Crime

...White collar crime The phrase white collar crime was first used by Edwin Sutherland in 1939 during a speech to the American Sociological Society. He defined white collar crime as a "crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation."(Sutherland, “White-Collar Criminality."). Today, white collar crime refers to illegal offenses that are generally committed in the business or professional setting (white collar versus blue collar jobs) to achieve financial gain. Crimes that do not involve physical violence, and that relate largely to financial matters, are often called white collar crimes. Corporate corruption is out of control for two main reasons. First, big companies are now multinational, while governments remain national. Big companies are so financially powerful that governments are afraid to take them on. It is very important to study the cause and the possible solution for the increase in numbers of white collar crime; our focus needs to shift from Blue Collar Crimes to White Collar Crimes. U.S.A spends nearly $50 billion on fighting Blue Collar Crimes, not even quarter of that amount is spent on fighting White Collar Crimes. Hardly a day passes without a new story of malfeasance. Every Wall Street firm has paid significant fines during the past decade for phony accounting, insider trading, securities fraud, Ponzi schemes, or outright embezzlement by CEOs. A massive insider-trading ring is currently on trial in New York...

Words: 2916 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Conflict Management and Negotiation

...gives or receives in a transaction between them or what course of action or policy each pursues in respect to the other. The study of bargaining process involves an analysis of the actors, the stakes and the factors involved. All theories feed into each other, and combining these theories allows for a more complete understanding of the issues involved in bargaining process and therefore helps to improve individuals negotiation skills. There are several different theories analyzing the process and outcome of bargaining process as follows:- 1. Integrative Approach Model 2. Game Theory 3. Behavioral Theory 4. Power Theory 5. Optimal Agent Independence 1. Integrative Approach Model The integrative approach divides the negotiating process into three phases: • Diagnostic • Formulation • Details In the practice of negotiation, these phases are not necessarily linear. Rather, they can be repeated and addressed many times throughout the negotiation process.  The toughness dilemma in the integrative approach calls for tough diagnosis in order to clearly elucidate the true interests of each party. In the formulation phase, negotiators should be more soft, in order to find a common, mutually acceptable solution. In the detail phase, the negotiators should again take a tough stance to assure their party receives as much benefit from the bargaining process as possible. Diagnostic Phase The Integrative Approach focuses heavily on the diagnosis...

Words: 3336 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

The Challenges and Effective Methods of Investigating Juvenile Offenders and Delinquents

...Juvenile Offenders and Delinquents CRJ 105 August 24, 2014 The Challenges and Effective Methods of Investigating Juvenile Offenders and Delinquents Criminal behavior in juvenile offenders has plagued justice from the beginning. Hagans book Introduction to Criminology discusses the relationship between age and crime in detail. I’ve always been interested in the real effects of a juvenile arrest record and how it will follow them for life. The book also states that “arrest data shows that the intensity of criminal behavior slackens after the teens”. So how are these young adults treated and tracked through the system? There have been many important movements and legislation though history towards the shaping and treatment of juvenile offenders and delinquents. The Juvenile Justice System today is by no means perfect, but it is far greater than what was initially in place. During these times, anyone under the age of seventeen who committed a crime was placed in the same judicial system as adults. As social views began to change, many started to see juvenile offenders as youths who had simply lost their way, rather than hardened criminals. The first large movement involved with removing juveniles from the adults took place with the Houses of refuge. In the early 1800’s reformers became concerned about the overcrowded conditions in the jails and the corruption youth experienced when confined with adult felons. The first House of Refuge opened in New York in 1825, as a facility...

Words: 1786 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Dangers Of Prison Overcrowding

...Prison Overcrowding In today’s society, crime happens nearly every 5 seconds. Depending on the type of crime determines where an individual is placed either in jail or prison. This leads to an ongoing problem today, prison overcrowding. Prison overcrowding is when the demand for space in prisons in a jurisdiction exceeds the capacity for prisoners in the place. Prison Overcrowding has many dangers that can lead to major destruction to society and those captivated behind bars The dangers of overcrowded prison, is that it can become very toxic for both prisoners and guards. Overcrowded conditions contribute to stronger inmate misconduct, more competition for prison services such as educational or vocational training programs and a lack...

Words: 1158 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Prison Reform

...offenders and to successful re-integrate them in the society. In 1974, Robert Martinson an American sociologist observed no evidence that rehabilitation programs were reducing rates of recidivism, the tendency for past offenders to relapse into criminal behavior and re-commit offenses (Cullen, 2012). In his study “What Works? Questions and Answer About Prison Reform”, was highly influential that “nothing works” became a criminological doctrine in the correctional system. This presented to pursue the “get tough on criminals” ideology of the 1980s and early 1990s where many correctional practitioners...

Words: 775 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Community Assessment

...Mississippi River broke, flooding the town for a three month period. Greenville was resurrected again, and was a flourishing cultural and business town (History of Greenville, n.d.). However, over the past several decades, with changes to the economy over the years, movement of the population and poverty has lead to a decline of the town. A closer analysis at the facts, statistics, and resources Greenville has to offer can pinpoint the needs of this community. Windshield Survey Greenville, Mississippi is located in Washington County in the Mississippi Delta. The main highways connecting Greenville are Highway 1, Highway 82, and Highway 61. Lake Ferguson, an off-shoot of the Mississippi River, makes up Greenville’s west border, dividing it from Arkansas. The United States Census Bureau states that Greenville has a total area of 26.9 square miles (State and County QuickFacts, 2014). A phenomenological boundary consists of those in an area with like-minded relationships, values, interests, beliefs and goals. Greenville has a large religious community, both Christian and Jewish. Arts and culture play a role in the community as well, with a successful community theater, historical groups, and civic groups. The crime...

Words: 1114 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Poverty

...poor ranges from poor, very poor, and to the very, very poor. The topic URBAN POOR was selected from a group of topics given and then given emphasis by the author according to the relevance of this specific group in today´s world. Each condition is specifically analyzed in different aspects and parts to further understand the study. In doing so, one will be able to broaden one´s ideas and analysis in certain conditions in relation to the topic about Urban poor. This will also have an analysis of their general condition using a theory application- which most probably is CONFLICT THEORY, a theory discussed in class with relation to the Sociological Theories presented. This paper was developed as a requirement and further study of the Sociological Theories presented in class and as a meaningful output of all the lectures and discussions that happened during class. Analysis was done by choosing a theoretical orientation from the ones discussed in class. Students and professionals are the intended audiences of this study. This study will hopefully be of help in the development of concrete analysis and plans not just towards the Sociological development of the urban poor, but of the holistic development as well. The informations contained in this study were based on researches provided by related literature and on- line based sources, more of secondary sources. Sources related to the study are referred to the bibliography at the end of the study. Conclusions are from the author of...

Words: 970 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Terrorism

...Unit IV Essay Political violence is politically motivated violence that is not controlled by the state. Political violence is a broad term used to describe violence perpetrated by either persons or governments to achieve political goals. Many groups and individuals believe that their political systems will never respond to their demands. There are a variety of political violence actions that can be either one-sided, non-state, or state-based. Many types of these actions can range from terrorism, rioting, civil war, police brutality, and capital punishment. Terrorism is a political violence act that influences an audience beyond the immediate victim. The terrorist’s strategy is to commit acts of violence that draws the attention of the public, the government, and the world to their cause. The terrorists plan their attack to obtain the greatest attention, choosing targets that symbolize what they oppose. The United States Department of Defense defines terrorism as “the calculated use of unlawful violence or threat of unlawful violence to inculcate fear; intended to coerce or to intimidate governments or societies in the pursuit of goals that are generally political, religious, or ideological.” There are two types of terrorism; initially, there is domestic terrorism which are acts of terrorism that are committed by those who are located in and operate from the state and international terrorism which is a type of terrorism which includes acts of terror committed by individuals...

Words: 925 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Three Strikes Law

...in which a dangerous or deadly weapon is used, rape and other sex offenses. Serious offenses include the same offenses that are considered as violent offenses, but also include other crimes like burglary of a residence and assault with intent to commit a robbery or rape. The concept of this law is just like it is in baseball, the batter has two strikes before striking out on the third strike and then they are out. The purpose for this law is to not have repeated criminal offenders. This law keeps the criminals off the streets so that they won’t commit any more crimes. This law is also one of the most popular controversial laws because it imposes a mandatory life sentence without parole on offenders convicted of three or more crimes. It is the obligation of a life sentence for any felony conviction, no matter how minor the felony may be. Every crime is different and therefore, every punishment should be made according to the crime in which was committed. I believe that the “three strikes” sentencing should be abolished because it was a law created as an emotional response to the murder of Polly Klass and is not an effective deterrent for criminals. The three strikes law was created in the early 1990’s in response to the murder of 18-year-old Kimber Reynolds in 1992; it caught full movement with the kidnapping and murder of 12-year-old Polly Klaas. The citizens of California were outraged by the fact that a repeat...

Words: 1552 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Personal Dilemma Paper Cja/324

...Personal Dilemma Paper Jocelyn Nelson CJA 324 August 3, 2015 Frederick Brockmeier On July 10, 2015, Sandra Bland was pulled over by Texas state trooper Brian Encinia for what was thought to be a routine traffic stop for not using her signal while changing lanes. For Sandra, what began as a routine traffic stop turned into an arrest and causing a three day detention and eventually her death. The initial cause of death has been ruled a suicide, but after seeing the dashcam video and learning more about Bland’s life, several questions come to mind. One question is, ‘Was her arrest lawful under the constitution?” The Nature of the Dilemma According to Professor Jonathan Oberman – a professor of law and longtime director of the criminal defense clinic at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law – three Supreme Court cases taken together may determine whether Encinia’s actions were legally justified. The first is Atwater v. City of Lago Vista, a 2001 case in which the high court determined that it is lawful under the Fourth Amendment for a law enforcement officer to arrest a person who has been stopped for a routine traffic violation. The second case is Rodriguez v. United States, a case the court just decided in April, which posed the question: During a routine traffic stop, what duration is considered legally legitimate, and under what circumstances can that duration be lawfully extended (Kleinman, 2014)? In this case officer Encinia was within the law to stop Bland and...

Words: 980 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Notes Sm

...The pharmaceutical industry is described by high levels of risky and lengthy R&D process, tough competition for intellectual property, tighter government regulations and powerful pressures on buying power. (Johnson, 2006) In 2011, several blockbuster drugs patent like Lipitor will expire, possibly endangering the revenues of the pharmaceutical industry for the next three to five years. On the global level, the historical supremacy of the US was being challenged with the highest market growth rates recorded in emerging markets. The industry more than ever need to get a handle on the slippery business by offering a true step change in strategy. This will critically analyse the Global Pharmaceutical Industry with PESTEL, Porter’s five forces, SWOT analysis and plausible views of industry in the future. PESTLE PESTLE analysis used to help organisation to understand in depth the current status of the organisation and the external factors which are effecting it. It also helps to the Management to make strategy for the future and overcome the weak areas of the organization. PESTLE is comprises of political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal and Environmental factors. Political The both policies (domestic and foreign) of government have a great effect on the industry innovation as compare to the other factors. To get the attentions of firms due to increase the economic importance, government offer special incentives which encourage to the industry to globalisation. For...

Words: 2368 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Effectiveness of Btl Advertising

...PEST Analysis of Bulgaria Table of Contents PEST Analysis.............................................................................................................................................. Political Factors......................................................................................................................................... Ruling Part........................................................................................................................................... EU confrontations.................................................................................................................................. EU support............................................................................................................................................ Trading Partners................................................................................................................................... Visa Free................................................................................................................................................ Economic Factors..................................................................................................................................... Economic Growth.................................................................................................................................. Macro Economic Factors.........................................................

Words: 2944 - Pages: 12

Free Essay

Ethical Treatment of Prisoners

...bars and are often regarded as "unworthy" in the general community. This paper will identify the ethical issues and problems prisoners face in the areas of harsher punishment and abuse, and how utilitarianism and relativism plays a vital role in resolving some of the ethical issues in prisons. Imprisonment as punishment for crimes was first used during the sixteenth century in Europe. Prior to that, criminal correction usually consisted of enslavement or swift physical punishment such as whipping or execution. According to Michael Hardy (1998) prison was conceived as a more humane response to criminal behavior. Europeans established colonies in America in the seventeenth century and they continued the practice of imprisoning those convicted of crimes (Hardy, 1998). During the colonial era, the number of Americans in prison made up a small, barely noticeable segment of the population. Today, this has changed dramatically. According to statistics from the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice, if incarceration rates continue unchanged, 1 out of every 20 Americans alive today will be imprisoned at some time in their lives. This is due in part to new crime laws such as “three strikes and you’re out” and tougher sentencing for drug-related offenses (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2009). The question that needs to be addresses is, has the government ensured a universal, consistent, ethical protection for prisoners and are they provided with what’s needed to assure a fair rehabilitation...

Words: 2139 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Community Policing

...policing is, in essence, a collaboration between the police and the community that identifies and solves community problems. With the police no longer the sole guardians of law and order, all members of the community become active allies in the effort to enhance the safety and quality of neighborhoods. Community policing has far-reaching implications. The expanded outlook on crime control and prevention, the new emphasis on making community members active participants in the process of problem solving, and the patrol officers’ pivotal role in community policing require profound changes within the police organization. The neighborhood patrol officer, backed by the police organization, helps community members mobilize support and resources to solve problems and enhance their quality of life. Community members voice their concerns, contribute advice, and take action to address these concerns. Creating a constructive partnership will require the energy, creativity, understanding, and patience of all involved (Bureau of Justice Assistance, 1994). Reinvigorating communities is essential if we are to deter crime and create more vital neighborhoods. In some communities, it will take time to break down barriers of apathy and mistrust so that meaningful partnerships can be forged. Trust is the value that underlies and links the components of community partnership and problem solving. A foundation of trust will allow police to form close relationships with the community that will produce...

Words: 3388 - Pages: 14