All follow up responses (minimum of 10). All of the student’s responses have a different minimal word count. By each student # has the word count minimal. In Total Word count with all the Students responses is 1,900 Word.
Students will also be required to respond to at least two (10) other students’ posts with significant comments that have substance. Your responses to your peers’ posts should be engaging and informative. Your responses should contribute in a meaningful way that helps to advance our knowledge of the topics that our class explores. All responses will include a citation with a reference in APA Style. Your responses to another student’s work should be posted as a sub-thread to the student’s original posting. All additional responses are due no later than Sunday at 2355 hours EST. However, please feel free to provide your additional responses earlier than Sunday, which will provide your classmates with the opportunity to reply back to your posts and engage in collaborative discussion with you.
Student # 1 (250 Words)
Hi Class,
The current legal issues facing corrections is the “funding”. Their have been a lot of cut backs when it comes to most jails and prisons because they don’t have enough funding to afford the things correction officers need to secure the facility. According to this article it simply states “Funding is affecting every part of government. In corrections, everything is getting cut. Prisons are getting closed, there’s less money for equipment, there are fewer staff, and lower staff/inmate ratios. Everything is getting minimized, including training, which is usually the first thing to go. We all have to do more with less, but eventually there’s nowhere else to cut, and the situation becomes very dangerous” (Klugiewicz, 2010).This article stated based on his research he felt that so many things are being cut back when it come to the corrections part of the justice system. In my home state so many inmates have been transported to other prisons that maybe are out of state or more further away from the prisoner hometown which make it harder for family to visit. Also so many correction officers are losing jobs due to state budgets and them not having enough money to pay for extra workers and existing workers hours being cut back which make it harder for them to be able to afford their bills and lively-hood. I think one way to fix this issue is their is need to be some type of meeting with the head officer in that state and let them put together a plan that would help them focus on main stuff that the corrections need to make sure the place is safe and equip to hold prisoners as they are serving time. Another thing as I stated about different states have different budget policies. I know in the State of Michigan they are claiming to be broke when it comes to corrections but yet and still they are building up more and more prisons and jails. Yet, they can fix up the prisons and jails they already have and then they can be able to save money to help these workers who are losing jobs and help the state save money.
Mental health is a major, major issue, and it’s only getting worse.” I’ve seen statistics that up to 70 percent of inmates have mental health issues. They don’t just have behavioral problems, but also physical and menthal health issues. These changing demographics are a sign of the times. With the aging of the population along with lack of adequate medical and mental health care for a growing percentage of our population, it is no wonder that we are facing these growing problems. These special needs inmates are being dumped on us without adequate specialized training and medical and mental health professionals to care for these inmates” (Klugiewicz, 2010). This is a major problem with medical people that are incarcerated because they are not able to get the right medical attention they need. So they are left to suffer and sometimes die because lack of medical equipment and doctors. I think this issue can be fix by helping these medical health people with the type of help they need to get better without making the correctional officers that are not able to help these people feel overwhelmed and crowed.
The corrections face many problems and issues when trying to fix and update their system to make it better and somewhat fair but it’s a lot of things that are overlooked in order to just maintain. Their are so many things that people never address and people know is wrong. I think everybody just need to speak up so it can be a safe and workable for people to come in without losing different things that is a necessity. Also the government need to pitch in to make sure they have enough money to afford daily expenses base on need.
Works Cited:
Klugiewicz, Gary (2010),” Klugie’s Correctional Corner”. Retrieved fromhttp://www.correctionsone.com/corrections/articles/3115850-Top-10-correctional-issues-for-2011/ on 5 January 2016
Student # 2 (250 Words)
The department of corrections is the rehabilitative and punitive arm of the criminal justice system. This branch like the other two faces issues of its own that effect the day to day processes in use. A few of these issues according to a Florida Department of Corrections survey are overcrowding, lack of rehabilitation programs, inmate rights and lack of quality employees (Jones, 1998).
There are also legal issues that the department of corrections faces. One of these issues is the health care in prisons. According to the National Commission on Correctional Health Care one legal issues is the failing to exercise a level of care that a reasonable, prudent nurse would exercise. The fact that the patient is incarcerated is only a circumstance of his or her situation and does not, and should not, change how the nurse practices or how the nurse views the patient (“Ethical and Legal Issues | National Commission on Correctional Health Care,” 1990).
A second issue is the use of force in correctional facilities. While force is sometimes necessary officers have to be justified in the amount used to contain the situation. The amount of force use in an event must be directly proportional to the threat present or the event could turn in to a national media event that produces a six or seven figure settlement (Schwartz, n.d.).
The third issues facing corrections is unprofessional relationships between officers and inmates. These relationships can vary from officers protecting inmates and allowing them special treatment, officers providing illegal items to inmates such as cell phones and drugs to officers an inmate’s forming sexual relationships. These relationships can call into the question the integrity of the department, officer and the administration. They can also open the department to a legal challenge from other inmates who are not receiving the special treatment. The biggest issue is the officer involved is placing his or her career on the line and opening themselves up to litigation that could cost them their freedom and land them on the other side of the cell.
While these three issues are some that the department of correction faces on a daily basis they are only a limited few. The list is large and continues to grow as laws are changed and the courts make decisions that change precedent. Offices and Administrators in correctional facilities must remain vigilant in their knowledge of policies and laws to avoid becoming a victim of this own making. Training and close supervision are the only methods to fix these issues in the system and should they not occur the problem will only get worse over time and place more of a strain on already over taxed budgets and over crowded court dockets. While all areas of the criminal justice system have their own issues the corrections has the most law suits filed by the inmates so officers must ensure they are completing their duties by the policies and laws.
Ethical and Legal Issues | National Commission on Correctional Health Care. (1990, June). Retrieved from http://www.ncchc.org/cnp-ethical-legal
Jones, J. L. (1998). Corrections Survey: Most Pressing Issues. Retrieved from http://www.dc.state.fl.us/pub/survey/press.html
Schwartz, J. A. (n.d.). Use of Force in Correctional Facilities | National Council on Crime & Delinquency. Retrieved from http://www.nccdglobal.org/blog/use-of-force-in-correctional-facilities
Student # 3 (100 Words)
I do not think we need to have a bridge of friendship with Mexico, but we should have one with Canada. The reason we don’t need one with Mexico is that we have to many drugs and illegal immigration flowing through our southern border. A big problem is that the drug cartels in this area are forcing people to hump drugs and weapons across our borders to supply them with money. The people of Mexico are fleeing Because of this and the high poverty level poor economy around Mexico to try and come to the United States. I believe we need to try and fix the problem with immigration,drugs, and violence on the on our southern border before and have a bridge of freedom.We do need one with Canada even though we are already allies I think this would reaffirm to the world that the United States and Canada are strong allies. In a ceremony to affirm our friendship with Canada there could be a chosen location on our border to have a ceremony to share our cultures and way of life. This would strengthen our friendship and say that our friendship and brotherhood has roost in history and can last forever, and we want to boost our friendship (Khuzestan Provincial TV, 2007). That fraise is something I believe would be said at a ceremony on the Canadian and United States border. We should have a bridge of friendship with all of our allies and countries that want to bring peace to the world and try to rid the world of terrorism. If we had these friendships we would gain a new appreciation for people from that part of the world and have new friendships that could potentially benefit us and our friends. I think this commercial shows that people want to be respectful to all cultures they come in contact with even if they do not like or agree a hundred percent with it.
Reference.
(September 28, 2007 Friday ). Iran and Iraq celebrate “bridge of friendship”. BBC Monitoring Middle East – Political Supplied by BBC Worldwide Monitoring, Retrieved from www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/lnacademic
Student # 4(100 Words)
America should have a bridge of friendship with Canada and Mexico due to the fact it allows provide national goods, it opens up new opportunities for business and employment, it could even pave the way for real wage increases the trade market increase between Canada and Mexico. In many cases it creates jobs for US workers when it comes to transfers or a company needing help from the United States to build with Canada or Mexico. When it comes to any border there are problems, but Mexico has the most drugs being smuggled than Canada due to the fact that there are more drug traffics that come out of Mexico and in my words they can buy people that will take the risk to smuggle their product.
In Mexico employment rate is very low it is hard to find a job so many individuals become desperate for income and will do anything to support their family so these traffickers supply them with drugs and feed on the weak to smuggle across the borders. We share a lot overcrowding, festival, even holidays most of all we share tourist groups many people love to visit other cultures and when it comes to different places all over the world we share one thing that we enjoy the most and that consists of making money. We also share the need to find different resources that could help the sick or poor even animals who are in need of shelter or food. We share the need for making life better for the people or creating more job opportunity for our children as well the future. There could be a festival or ceremony for peace and harmony not to mention coming together as one. Overall it’s good to have a bridge of friendship with ant culture do to the fact you never know what resources you will need in the future when it comes to trading or visiting for business.
There are some resources in other countries that will benefit us in the long run stepping out of the box what if we have to cross over into another country to investigate a crime it would be good to have that resource to help you with important information for a capture or the government will help you find them. When it comes to Canada and Mexico we share the same views and that to make our people better create a better tomorrow we all agree on the children are our tomorrow. Increase wealth in our countries building ways of employment and decreases the violence not to mention having resources with one another overall knowing that we have one another’s back would be a peace of mind for all parties. When it comes to the gain for both side a friendship could help the other when it comes to trading even setting up businesses this could create more jobs for individuals to feed their family not to mention other cultures you could learn from when it comes to cooking or just learning what they do different from us this could be a learning experience for the both countries. When it comes to the other country the United States offer a lot a free nation also the business aspects are limitless Nations that come together this build unstoppable resource, as well technology that we can learn from each other.
The commercial tells us to step out the box and try new thing it’s ok to share other cultures that we do not understand and in some cultures we will not understand their way of life this is what makes us different we don’t have to like a culture, but we have to respect one another and it’s ok to say no thank you if you do not want something or do not understand something be honest with the other party as well yourself.
NAFTA and the Future of Canada, Mexico and the United States. (n.d.). Retrieved January 5, 2016, from https://www.stratfor.com/weekly/nafta-and-future-canada-mexico-and-united-states
Student # 5 (150 Words)
The Public Information Officer (POI) is gathering incoming information regarding an emergency from the Incident/Unified Command staff for dissemination. The POI gets this out via any number of media outlets including television stations, radio, newspaper, and social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter. Social media sites give the POI the ability to give the most up-to-date information consistently, in real time. As has been seen on numerous occasions, even when the cell phone towers leave people without cell service, internet access (usually via WiFi) is still available and media feeds are still obtained. Most people carry around a smart phone these days, not an emergency radio, unfortunately.
In her article from Scientific American, Dina Fine Maron points out several good points that make a strong case for the viability and positive uses of social media before, during, and after emergency response. For example, FEMA maintains that during and immediately after Hurricane Sandy struck more than 20 million tweets (Twitter posts) were sent out regarding the hurricane, in spite of cell phone service being widely disabled. This number was not solely emergency management based, but it illustrates the broad use of social media outlets in a time when traditional methods may be stifled. Further, Maron shows another positive aspect of social media in the donation of more than $5 million in humanitarian aid after the 2010 Haiti earthquake, via text message. These are only a couple of the many examples of positive aspects of new tools in the POIs toolbox.
As a panel of personnel with first-hand experience responding to Hurricane Sandy found, social media creates an easy avenue for misinformation from ill-informed or ill-wishing citizens. During the hurricane there were many instances of doctored photos and false information regarding the storm and situational representations. Some of these were even posed as legitimate news feeds or official information. These types of false posts can be extremely difficult to weed out from the real information and poses a real threat to the many citizens who believe just about anything they read on Facebook and Twitter feeds so long as it seems a bit legitimate. FEMA started a “Rumor Control” website in an attempt to cull the false feeds. It is recommended that during emergencies people rely more on information directly from governmental agencies and even verify for themselves via websites such as Snopes.com.
Bibliography
FEMA. (2013, April). Position Qualifications for Operational Coordination Incident Management. Retrieved January 4, 2016, from Fema.gov: http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1923-25045-0458/509_2_im_public_information_officer_clean_v2_20130711.pdf
Maron, D. F. (2013, June 7). How Social Media Is Changing Disaster Response. Retrieved from Scientific American: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-social-media-is-changing-disaster-response/
Virtual Social Media Working Group and DHS First Responders Group. (2013, June).Lessons Learned: Social Media and Hurricane Sandy. Retrieved from Communities.firstresponders.gov: https://communities.firstresponder.gov/DHS_VSMWG_Lessons_Learned_Social_Media_and_Hurricane_Sandy_Formatted_June_2013_FINAL.pdf
Student # 6 (150 Words)
The Public Information Officer (PIO) is part of the command staff and is responsible for providing appropriate, well-timed, accurate information to the media and the general public during an incident. Social media sites give PIO’s good forums with which to inform the public with up to the minute information without having to call a press conference every time there is new information. Of course social media sites also mean that if the wrong information is given out or if the PIO has misspoken in some offensive way they will be hard-pressed to reign it back in because of how quickly information is “shared” over social media and can be downloaded and preserved forever.
In Brimfield Township, OH Police Chief David Oliver has gathered quite a Facebook following thanks to his posts where he uses humor and directness to call out would-be criminals and general no-good-doers he refers to as “mopes”. Because of his amusing posts he has gathered a following that far exceeds that of the local population and he has used his bit of fame to raise money for increased security for local schools (panic buttons). Also because of the popularity of his department’s Facebook page he is able to post about road closures, local events, updates to local threats, etc. and he can reasonably expect that many of the local residents will receive the information. According to the article he has one of the most “liked” pages in US law enforcement behind Boston, New York and Philadelphia.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/06/17/ohio-police-department-rips-criminals-in-facebook-posts.html
The following article is about a Facebook posting and a subsequent tweet linking the post on Thursday December 3, 2015 by the St. Louis County Police Department in Missouri. In the post the department warns parents to speak to their children about the use of toy guns out in the public. However, the beginning of the post references the Tamir Rice, the twelve year old Cleveland boy who was lethally shot by police in November because they had mistaken his toy gun for a real one. While the department appeared to have good intentions in educating parents in an effort to avoid a similar instance happening in their precinct, residents who read the post paraphrased it as the police warning them to “not let their children end up like Tamir Rice” and were quite offended. The post has since been removed but there is a screen shot in the article. I cannot say whether that posts constitutes unprofessionalism but it certainly made the agency look bad in the eyes of the local public, especially when the death of Tamir Rice was still so fresh in everyone’s mind.
http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2014/12/missouri_police_remove_faceboo.html
Casey
Walsh, “. W., Christen, H. T., Lord, G. C., Miller, G. T., Maniscalco, P. M., Christ. (12/2010). National Incident Management System: Principles and Practice, 2nd Edition. [VitalSource Bookshelf Online]. Retrieved fromhttps://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781449640002/
Student # 7 (150 Words)
Part I
For my post this week I decided to write about “Build, Hold, and Clear” by Michael Auslin. This essay caught my attention due to the title and the introduction paragraph where the author describes the potential of progressing US relations in the Indo-Pacific region. I could not find any evidence that this essay is peer reviewed, so I ran a search through the APUS library database and I was able to confirm that this article is not peer reviewed.
The author’s claim can be found in the introductory paragraph as he states “If we play a leading role in the great area stretching from India to Japan, the coming decades will see the strengthening not only of American power, but also that of our liberal, democratic allies.” (Auslin 33) To support his claim he talks about the economic power and vast population stating that this area “contains over half the world’s population, including India and China, the two most populous countries; the world’s largest democracy, in India; two of the largest economies, in China and Japan; and at least three nuclear capable powers.” (Auslin 33) Auslin describes the many threats and political opportunities that this region of the world contains. The proper use of statistics and educated observations continuously support his claim.
After reading this essay a few times I have found that the author loosely follows the Toulmin model. Auslin uses plenty of support and backing to reinforce his claim but does not seem to include any concessions or rebuttals in his work. He also uses several warrants to strengthen his claim like “The Indo-Pacific is and will remain the most dynamic region on earth. After World War II” (Auslin 33) and “A build, hold, and clear strategy is the most flexible and realistic approach to maintaining American influence and protecting our interests in the Indo-Pacific region.” (Auslin 35) There does not seem to be a strong use of qualifiers, but the author avoids using absolutes like “always” and “never.” Auslin presents a very confident and educated argument that is well researched and articulated.
Part II
I have not used the Toulmin model in my studies or my career before, but I plan on using it in the future. If used correctly, the Toulmin model can be used to create powerful and organized arguments that are reasonable and well enforced. I know this outline will be very beneficial in future classes.
After reviewing the instructor’s feedback from the critical evaluation essay I plan to continue making strict revisions and checking quotes and citations to avoid plagiarism. I will also make sure that I continuously proofread my work to save me time later when I make my revisions.
Works Cited:
Auslin, Michael. “Build, Hold, And Clear.” National Review 63.16 (2011): 33-35. Academic Search Premier. Web. 5 Jan 2016.
Student # 8 (150 Words)
The Problem with Princes was an engaging article. It shed a light on an interesting problem that most Americans would never think about. Britain unlike our country is a Monarchy. Although most of their laws are put in place by their parliament, their head of state is still a born leader in the literal since. The King being born to the royal family is put in charge of the military. Now I do not know the ins and outs of British politics. It sounds as though there is a rising movement of British Republicans that wish the Monarch was more of just a celebrity than a leader of a government. The author has an interesting explanation for how it would work for us if the system were in our government. “You must make someone President for life,’ you begin. ‘It might as well be Barack Obama, as he’s in power now, and all dynasties start with someone’s seizing the throne. His heirs will succeed him, however haughty, deluded, infirm or otherwise unsuited for high office they may be. They will be the official heads of state, and the armed forces will swear loyalty to them rather than to the American Constitution.’ I don’t believe you would strengthen your pitch if you concluded, ‘Tourists will love the American monarchy. Think of the profits for Washington hoteliers!” (Cohen 1) A long quote but think of the impact that would make. American media would never rest the American monarchy would be a joke.
More to follow having some trouble with my graded essay.
Work Cited
Cohen, Nick. “The Problem with Princes.” Time 177.19 (2011): 56. Academic Search Premier. Web.
16 Dec. 2011.
Student # 9(300 WORDS)
Part I:
The judicial system is one of the highest and glorified appointments in the Unites States, other then the President of the United States of America. The Supreme Count including has a judicial ethics code that is the guidelines for judges to follow. This means that they have a specific standard that only pertains to them. This allows them to be independent, and impartial, but how to avoid impropriety. With this in mind, this is the basic groundwork for judicial work in the courts.
Other things that could affect the way a judge rules on any particular case could be his/her own personal ideology and or attitudes. Many times a judge will weigh heavily with their emotions or how they feel about a particular situation. The will use their political clout to help sway the media, and people of the court one way or another. [1]
Those judges that also have a political adjenda tend to sway with their political countrparts. At the end of their term, they also tend to vote different ways, or other then they would normally. Those who want to stay in office will just go with the flow and not swing the vote. They want to keep their job.
Public opinion will also help sway a judge. Depending on the situation, the judicial parties will sway with the pubic. Not only does this help keep them in a job, but also when it comes to re-election, or retirement, those in political power will remember how a judge voted.
Strategy is also a key when it comes to the judicial system. Often times they will rally against each other to help swing the majority vote one way or another. No matter how you review the case, this seems to be a very political move, to become a judge. Being able to know the law, understand it, being able to adjudicate it is important. Not wanting to upset your “political friends” is key in this job. [2]
PART II
Being a Victims Advocate for Sexual Assault, I have aided several women along the way from the initial discussion of a sexual assault, to the actual courtroom and the punishing of the offender. Several things the victims want to know are that they are not being forgotten. They want to know if their offender or offenders were arrested, and if they were, have they been released from jail. They also want to know details about the case so that they can help to close the wounds internally and not just physically. Being involved in the decisions about further incarcerations, as well as possible punishments that could happen. [3]
One thing we all need to know is that taking the steps to confront your assaulter is very hard. You as a victim are called many things, and many times hero isn’t one of them. Your personal life is thrown down the tube, and prosecutors often will find every deep and dark secret about you to try to exploit you. They will try to put the crime of the actual victim and not on their client.
Being an advocate (or someone who can help the victim get through those trying times) is a huge emotional support. Knowing that they can trust and rely on you is important in their healing process. As an advocate, you are with them every step of the way. If the questioning gets too rough, you can ask for a temporary adjournment, or at least a postponement so they can collect themselves together.
To be the devils advocate though. There are people out there that are professional victims. Being able to weed through them is key, so that we don’t loose the real people who need help. There are many agencies who are willing to help those that are victims to many crimes. Just asking for help is the first step.
1) Larry J. Siegel, Frank Schmalleger, John L. Worrall, Courts and Criminal Justice in America. Chapter 7/10 (2010)
2) I.d.
3) I.d.
Student # 10 (300 WORDS)
Some of the ideas that affect a judge’s decision, as found in our textbook,[1] include that beliefs correlate directly with a judges decisions based on their personal beliefs and attitudes and although beliefs and attitudes change over time the study has shown that among the Supreme Court judges it remains stable. When judges are nearing the end of their elected term they can sometimes make unexpected decisions because they are now less concerned with drawing unwanted attention or that the wrong impression might be made in a particular decision. Public opinion although only referenced in judges decisions about 2% of the time[2]is an important factor in making their decisions because most are slanted towards the opinion of the public. Another factor affecting a judge’s decision is based on strategic self-interest. This is basically the same thing that each of us encounter within our own workplace. If a judge is unfamiliar with a topic, the judge may switch their vote as to assign someone else to write the opinion for the court. It is the behind the scene objectives that are present in any workplace group. Like many workgroups, sometimes it is the best decision to agree so that you do not weaken the group’s status or authority. Too much division amongst a group can be perceived as a weakening of that group and is referred to as consensus seeking. Judges must also ask about what laws pertain to their decision, and if their decision is meeting the intent of the law. Is the decision in keeping with the intent of the Constitution?
The U.S. Justice Department study addressed many concerns about victim participation in the criminal process ranging from being informed about an arrest, dropping or dismissing a case, being released on bond, dates of incarceration, notification of plea bargains, attending hearings, victim impact statements and input on sentencing decisions.[3] Many of the concerns boil down to creating ways in which victims can be heard throughout the process and keeping the victim notified about the progress of the case and other status updates. Some states have created assistance programs for victims and some have even gone as far as amending their state constitutions to include victim rights. The state constitution was amended in Texas to include the right to be notified of parole proceedings, and be included in the defendant’s file information to be contacted when being considered by the board for parole. Amendments such as those in Texas could be easily done with the advances in technology through the use of automated notification systems that send text messages or emails when offenders make bail or when the offender is scheduled before the parole board. The suggestions are limitless as to what could be improved upon through the use of technology.
