Free Texas Prison Essays and Papers

Overview of Sossamon vs. Texas

- I Introduction Harvey Leroy Sossamon III was denied the ability to use the prison chapels, in the state prison in which he was being held (Oyez.org). Sossamon had been in the Robertson Unit of the Correctional Institutions Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice since 2002 (Fasoro). His claims for use were that of religious purposes, the state prison warden in fact denied all inmates that were cell restricted access to such activities. Sossamon was entitled to the use the chapel, in fact it was in his rights.... [tags: Prison Chapels, Sovereign Immunity]

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Taking a Closer Look at Prison Gangs

- Prison Gangs Ever since the creation of the first prison gang the ‘Gypsy Jokers’, gangs in prisons have been a handful for officials trying to provide safety and security not only for corrections workers but for inmates as well. Prison gangs have been responsible for carrying out any number of illicit activites behind bars, these include but may not be limited to: gambling, drugs, protection, and prostitution (Knox, 2012). Over the years research for prison gangs proves difficult because of the secretive nature behind these organizations, but there is new evidence being brought to light that is helping combat these illusive and lucrative criminal organizations.... [tags: permanent part of prison life]

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1171 words | (3.3 pages) | Preview

Prison Terms Ineffective as Deterrent to Crime

- ... However, as the time passed the pillars of the criminal justice were modified in order to deter crime. Over the past generation, the landscape of sentencing prisoners has changed dramatically. Over this same period, United States of America has made a number of modifications in one of the basis of American criminal justice policy, Prison Term. Prison Terms has taken the place of public flogging, death penalty and torture. Stastics has shows that many states has abolished death penalty. Today in order to deter the crime, Nowadays, only few states in the United States of America such as Texas, practices Death Penalty.... [tags: justice, system, criminal, prison, term]

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1137 words | (3.2 pages) | Preview

Influential Hispanics of Early Texas

- Influential Hispanics of Early Texas May 30, 2010 Influential Hispanics of early Texas Many people that were indigenous to New Spain and latter, Mexico had settled in Texas when it was a northern State of Mexico. Many contributed in an effort to tame the wild paradise and bring civilization to the region beyond what the Spanish missionaries had begun a century before. In 1821, Mexico gained independence from Spain, and began to actively recruit people to populate the land north of the Rio Grande with far more urgency that did Spain.... [tags: Texas History]

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1205 words | (3.4 pages) | Preview

Prison Growth In American From 1970-2008

- Why has there been a massive growth of the prison industry in America since the 1970's. Since the 1970's there has been a steady increase in the prison population where statistics now show from the BJS that more than one in every 100 adults are now imprisoned. Statistics from the "PEW" state that one in 30 men between the ages of 20-34 are behind bars; however just because there is an increase in the numbers it does not mean it's due to an increase in crime. To further emphasize just how significant the growth is, the population in 1970 was around 300,000 but now the population in 2008 is over 2.3 million (BJS 2006).... [tags: Prison Prisoners Jail]

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1688 words | (4.8 pages) | Preview

From Juvenile Justice School To Prison Pipeline

- In the most recent years, the relationship between educational institutions and the juvenile justice system, which was once created to protect children, has displayed an ultimatum for minors through “zero tolerance” policies that result in sending individuals from school to prison to pipeline. Studies have shown that these policies are not beneficial to students or the educational environment that should be guaranteed to children. Opponents argue that the policies promote safety, but through this research it can be concluded that the policies actually increase danger.... [tags: Prison, justice, youth]

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1506 words | (4.3 pages) | Preview

Is Prison Privatization Really a Long Term Fix?

- Prison Privatization is a term used for which local, state and federal correction facilities hire companies from the private sector to run prisons and provide prison-related services. Some private companies are contracted only to provide things such as medical care, counseling, food services, and maintenance within publicly owned jails and prisons. Today, more and more private companies are being contracted to not only design and build, but also to operate new jails and prisons on both the state and federal level.... [tags: Prison Reform, criminal justice, informative]

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1711 words | (4.9 pages) | Preview

Gangs in Prison

- Introduction Prison gangs are originally formed by inmates as a way of protecting themselves from the other inmates. These gangs have turned out to be violent and thus posing a threat to security. This paper will have a look at the different gangs in prisons, their history, beliefs and missions, and the differences and similarities in these gangs. The Aryan Brotherhood The Aryan Brotherhood started in 1964 was founded by Tyler Bingham and Barry Mills who were white supremacists and Irish American bikers.... [tags: Gangs Essays]

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Prison Expansion: No Benefit to Society

- No one likes seeing large imposing buildings with high brick walls and barbed wire topping them And behind those thick walls is another imposing building with small slivers crossed with large grates to let light in and men and women clothed in orange roaming the highly watched yard. They are imposing and daunting buildings, ones that would take away from a community’s attractiveness. But worse than seeing a new building like this one being built in one’s community, is seeing an already imposing building expanding into one’s neighborhood.... [tags: Crime & Punishment]

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2052 words | (5.9 pages) | Preview

Certiorari to the Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas

- ... The defense compared him to Penry since he had a low IQ and a learning and speech disorder. The defense tried to argue how the Texas death penalty was unconstitutional according to the Eighth Amendment, but the Judge and Jury did not change their minds and the death penalty still stood (Kennedy). III Discussion LaRoyce Lathair Smith got convicted of capital murder and was given the death penalty by a jury in Dallas County, Texas. Before the jury made its decision, the judge added a “nullification instruction.” The instruction that the trial judge gave instructed that the jury to give effect to mitigation evidence, but the jury was allowed to do this by negating what would have been a pos... [tags: jury, death penalty]

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The Rise of America’s Prison Empire

- When envisioning a prison, one often conceptualizes a grisly scene of hardened rapists and murderers wandering aimlessly down the darkened halls of Alcatraz, as opposed to a pleasant facility catering to the needs of troubled souls. Prisons have long been a source of punishment for inmates in America and the debate continues as to whether or not an overhaul of the US prison system should occur. Such an overhaul would readjust the focuses of prison to rehabilitation and incarceration of inmates instead of the current focuses of punishment and incarceration.... [tags: Analysis, Robert Perkinson, Alcatraz]

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America Needs Private Prisons

- Reminisce back into the elementary school days, where hundreds of kids start to line up for food at the cafeteria. Now picture that cafeteria stuffed with multitudes of bunk beds side by side in which the whole school has to sleep in. Any parent would disapprove of a living situation that is similar to that, but all over the nation, prisoners are facing those exact problems. With the rise of the prison population in America, prisons all over the nation fear what could lead to huge detrimental consequences, one of which is overcrowding.... [tags: Prison Reform, Prison Privatization]

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Lance Lowry in the Criminal Justice System

- Lance Lowry began his 20 year career in Texas’s criminal justice as a cadet in 1994 in South Texas’s Police Academy. He worked as a police officer in Alice, TX, a town of about 20,000 starting in 1995. In 2000, Lance left police work to become a TDCJ Correctional Officer. From 2000-2003, Lance worked as Correctional Officer in Ellis Unit in Huntsville, Texas and then transferred to Holliday Unit, also in Huntsville. From the Holliday Unit, Lance worked at James H. Byrd Unit (Huntsville), which was formerly the diagnostic intake unit for DR inmates prior to being transferred to Polunsky.... [tags: South Texas Police Academy, Texas]

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The Texas Department of Corrections and Norwegian Correctional Services

- Texas Department of Corrections and Norwegian Correctional Services After examining the websites for the New York State Department of Corrections (NYSDOC), the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), and Kriminalomsorgen (Norwegian Correctional Services), we are given a comprehensive overview of the many similarities that each organization shares. For instance, despite the “tough on crime” approach, rehabilitation remains an integral component for all three organizations. It is important to note that although Norway places a greater emphasis on rehabilitation, each department shares similar visions, goals, and values.... [tags: organization comparison and contrast]

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619 words | (1.8 pages) | Preview

Capital Punishment in Texas versus Colorado

- Capital Punishment in Texas versus Colorado The definition of justice is often thought of as an opinion. This theory is sometimes true, but can cause a huge dilemma. How can we live by the rules when they are not definite. Isn't that what justice is. Living by the rules. Maybe justice is an absolute. Maybe our opinion of justice is just part of the whole thing. Everyone is just seeing a part of the big picture. It may seem that there may not be a definite justice, but it is just something that exists.... [tags: Papers]

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679 words | (1.9 pages) | Preview

Domestic Violence in The State of Texas

- Domestic violence seems to be a never-ending problem from state to state with every state having its fair share of domestic violence. The Texas Council on Family Violence was formed to serve three focal points when dealing with domestic violence in the State of Texas implementing prevention programs that are focused in ending the root cause of domestic violence, providing victim services of domestic violence and promoting support to victims and the violent offenders to help them deal with their issues in domestic violence.... [tags: family violence, victms, wrongdoers]

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1032 words | (2.9 pages) | Preview

Gangs and Violence in The Prison System

- Gangs and Violence in the Prison System Introduction Gang violence is nationwide and is one of the most prominent problems in the prison system today. Gangs are known to attempt to control the prisons/jails, instill fear within the prison system and throughout the society, and bring negative attention to the system. “Gang affiliated inmates comprise about 18 percent of the 18000 inmate population.”(Seabrook) A growing numbers of inmates and a large amount of them serving longer sentences for violent crimes suggest a notable increase in gangs and violence in the prison system in the upcoming future.... [tags: Criminal Justice]

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Determinate Sentencing: Last Chance in Texas

- For Determinate Sentencing Determinate sentencing is becoming more popular in juvenile courts. It is a special statute that allows for the possibility of a juvenile serving a sentence beyond the age of 21. It specifically covers certain violent offenses and drug cases, like murder, capital murder, sexual assault, and indecency with a child. Aggravated controlled substances cases are also covered (TYC website). The alternative to determinate sentencing is blended sentencing, which allows judges to issue delinquent offenders both juvenile and adult dispositions.... [tags: Criminal Justice]

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1326 words | (3.8 pages) | Preview

Prison Gangs: Gangs and Security Threat Group Awareness

- One of the major problems of corrections today is the security threat group - more commonly known as the prison gang. A security threat group (STG) can be defined as any group of offenders who pose a treat to the security and physical safety of the institution. Throughout the 1960's and 1970's, prison gangs focused primarily on uniting inmates for self protection and the monopolization of illegal prison activities for monetary gain (F.B.P., 1994, p. 2). STGs are mostly divided along racial lines and practiced defiance towards authority.... [tags: security threat group (STG)]

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Indentifying Prison Gangs: Their Bonds and Their Ink

- While in prison criminals become part of the gang or a member of the gang's victim pool. Race and culture seem to be the major factors in the victimization of inmates. The inmate may not be racist when he enters the system, however the need for survival against other inmates may force these characteristics to become more prominent. In the summer of 1998, a young man named William King was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of James Byrd Jr. Byrd was a black man from Jasper County, Texas, whom was bound at the ankles and dragged to death behind a truck.... [tags: Criminology ]

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2224 words | (6.4 pages) | Preview

Correctional Social Work with Male Prisoners

- The marginalized population that will be discussed within this research paper will be male prisoners found within the United States correctional facilities. In Prince and Coleman journal article, “Narrative of Neglect: Texas Prisons for Men” (2011), the authors make it obvious that all male individuals found in prisons, regardless of race, are subjected to harsh conditions that include both neglect and abuse, as well as a number of other circumstances. They do this by giving the reader a detailed history of Texas’s state penitentiary system.... [tags: Prison Social Work]

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3110 words | (8.9 pages) | Preview

Ableism of Those Who Are Deaf: Discriminationa and Exclusion of Disabilities

- ... McCay Vernon states people in charge of prisons overestimate the ability of the hearing impaired to read lips. Even if the conditions for lip reading were perfect, meaning a well lit room, the speaker facing the hearing impaired, and so on, experienced lip readers normally understand only 5% of what has been stated (Vernon). Also according to Vernon, this barrier is taken to another level for those deaf and hearing impaired prisoners who have prelingual deafness, meaning they lost their hearing before the age of three.... [tags: language, hearing, prison, deaf]

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Survey of Marijuna Usage at Texas Christian University

- ... For example across the United States there are many different ways marijuana use handled in the criminal justice realm. According to the MPP, Marijuana Policy Project, Kansas is one the state with some the harshest drug policies. If an individual is caught with a gram of marijuana they face a one year prison stay and a one thousand dollar fine. Any subsequent marijuana charges can carry a prison stay of at least 10 months and up to three and a half years. Also they would be faced with a one hundred thousand dollar fine.... [tags: legalize, criminal, health, study]

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Private Prisons Negativly Impact State and Local Governments

- Private prisons have a negative effect on states and local governments. Unfortunately, the number of private prisons has been increasing since their inception in 1983 causing further problems. For-profit prisons offer no real benefits and are bad investments for states. Furthermore, private prisons beleaguer communities with high turnover rates that hurt local economies. The demands of these institutions put an excessive burden on the local community’s infrastructure. Similarly, private prisons strain the county and city legal systems.... [tags: For-profit Prisons, Prison Privatization]

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3178 words | (9.1 pages) | Preview

Texas V. Johnson

- Texas v. Johnson (1989) In 1984, following a protest march through the streets of Dallas, Texas against the policies of the Reagan Administration, Gregory Lee Johnson was handed an American flag. Outside the Dallas City Hall, Johnson through the flag onto the ground, poured kerosene on it, and set fire to it. Many protesters around Johnson began a chant of, "America, the red, white, and blue, we spit on you!" While many protesters agreed with what Johnson had done, there were several others who felt extremely offended.... [tags: Flag Burning Legal Case Law]

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1117 words | (3.2 pages) | Preview

Women’s Role in Corrections: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

- Crime is an ongoing problem that has been evolving for many years. From incarceration to working in correctional facilities, women obtain unique characteristics in corrections. This paper gives an account of the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of the past accounts of women in corrections. The good addresses the struggles and obstacles women have overcome to gain equal access in corrections. The bad involves the harassment and negative aspects women were subjected to endure in a correctional setting, and negative situations from male offender and coworkers.... [tags: criminal justice system, prison, jail]

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2830 words | (8.1 pages) | Preview

The Document that Changed the Course of History: Victory or Death Letter

- We may forget a lot of the important historical events that have occurred in the past, but there are some things that are well remembered by people everywhere. The impact of William Barret Travis and his famous “Victory or Death” letter is one of those things and will never be forgotten. The original letter is one of the few historical documents that has survived the test of time. Travis, one of the heros of the Alamo, with his call to all people of the world for assistance has made a lasting impact.... [tags: william travis, alamo, texas]

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1148 words | (3.3 pages) | Preview

Race Murder and Community Trauma: The Impact of the Killing of James Byrd in Jasper, Texas

- In the late 1900s, racial tension was considered by society, to be non-existent until James Byrd Jr. was murdered. In 1998, James Byrd Jr, an African American male age of 49 was kidnapped. Byrd was not kidnapped for ransom, but for an outcome of death. After leaving a family gathering Byrd was manipulated into getting a ride home from three white men. The three men included John King, Shawn Berry, and Lawrence Brewer, whom “…established ties to racist organizations during previous prison terms.”(Brookfield).... [tags: racial tension, african-american ]

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1015 words | (2.9 pages) | Preview

Comparison of Juvenile Court in Texas and North Carolina

- The two States that I did a comparison on is Texas which is where I reside and North Carolina. The reason I chose North Carolina is because that is the State that I was born in and also where my son is going to attend college. As with most states there are two main goals 1) To prevent crimes and to rehabilitate juveniles, 2) The Safety of the Public. It is up to Law makers and others to find the best ways to meet these goals. There is not a set guideline or specific procedures in the Nation for The Juvenile Justice System, so each state makes their own.... [tags: Compare Contrast]

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931 words | (2.7 pages) | Preview

The Many Benefits of the Parole System

- Parole can be defined as the provisional release of an inmate from prison after serving a portion of a prison sentence. Within the United States, parole was originally used near the end of the American Civil War when the United States would talk discuss releasing the people that they currently had in captivity if they had verbally promised along with a written contract not to return to the enemy base to continue to fight in the war efforts. During the 19th century in England, parole was known to have been called “transportation, which entailed sending the offender away to live in exile” (Whitehead, 101).... [tags: provisional release from prison]

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1272 words | (3.6 pages) | Preview

Arguement for the Abolition of the Death Penalty

- The Supreme Court effectively decided to suspend the death penalty in June 1972 through 1976. After 4 years of suspending the death penalty across the country, the court reinstalled the penalty to the states. The death penalty includes 34 states that proceeded to statute the new death penalty. The states such as Florida, Georgia, and Texas were essential in reinstating the death penalty. The Eighth Amendment and many states wished to reinstate the penalty.These reforms were at once allowed by the court that death penalty itself was constitutional under the change.... [tags: execution, prison, consitution]

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Proposal to Cut Down Juvenile Crime

- The problem of juvenile violence has become one of the most overwhelming problems of our time for Texas and for the United States. The problem is spread throughout the United States. The serious crimes are usually thought to be problems of the urban city, but this is no longer a problem just for the inner city. The problem has spread through the suburban areas of the city in cases just like the first example. Citizens are spending tons of money trying to fight the problem on their own. They purchase everything they can to combat crime.... [tags: Juvenile Crime, social reform, Texas law]

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2373 words | (6.8 pages) | Preview

Violent Crime Research Paper

- Violent Crime Research Paper Nothing does more to tear our families apart than violent crime, guns, gangs, drugs, and the fear that walks alongside those terrors. Violent crime and victim rights have become a major concern for most citizens in the United States of America. Statistics indicate a decline in violent crimes in our country and an increase in our national prison population. Released prisoners commit most violent crimes. Gun control legislation, reform programs, victim rights awareness, and other programs are abundant in our country, but do little to alleviate violent crime.... [tags: Criminal Murder Jail Prison Essays Papers]

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1874 words | (5.4 pages) | Preview

Politics In Texas

- Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarians are perhaps three of the most prominent political parties within Texas. Within the pages of their party platforms, we see that each possesses a unique philosophy, with specific viewpoints and recommendations for shaping or reforming government policy. To be sure, the people of Texas face many challenges, two of the most compelling issues being the crisis in healthcare and in education. Not only are we lacking in these areas as Texans, but also on the national level.... [tags: Texas]

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1565 words | (4.5 pages) | Preview

My Experience in Texas

- When I visited Texas last summer, I only expected to see my family and a few of the local sites. What I did see, however, was a unique perspective of a unique state. On the morning of July 16th, my dad, my mom, and I set out on the interstate to drive to Nashville to catch our plane. Our journey began with a flight that was smooth and soothing. As we neared Houston, our plane flew over the Gulf of Mexico. I observed huge 500-ton ships and oil rigs that looked like toys from my plane window. Once we landed, my grandma was at the airport awaiting our arrival.... [tags: travel, Texas,]

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Change in the Political Climate of Texas

- The relationship between a local government and its people is typically a combined form of stability, as well as discordant moments of tension and rising-to-dramatic change. More specifically, the political climate of the local government differs depending on how those people view the three aspects of their governmental calls and needs: rights and responsibility of the people, obligations of their government, and limits on the local governmental authority. In the youth of Texas, the Democratic Party enjoyed electoral dominance on all levels of state government and in the representation in the national government.... [tags: Texas Politics, informative, expository]

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1503 words | (4.3 pages) | Preview

Texas Legislator or Procrastinator?

- With the exception of the United States constitution, the 1876 Texas constitution serves as the supreme law of Texas. The modern constitution of 1876 has been in effect for almost one hundred and forty years now. It is the sixth constitution that has been made since Texas gained independence from Mexico in 1836. The constitution delegates and allocates powers to the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of our Texas government. Although the constitution provides the Texas government with authoritative power, it imposes limits on that power by distributing it among the three branches.... [tags: Texas Constitution of 1876]

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919 words | (2.6 pages) | Preview

Water Problems in Texas

- Texas, with its abundances of natural resources, is facing a new demon, one that doesn’t even seem possible, a shortage of water. Water, without it nothing can survive. Texas is the second largest state for landmass in the nation and ninth for water square miles. Within the borders of Texas are more than 100 lakes, 14 major rivers, and 23 aquifers, so why has water become such an important issue for the state. Politicians and conservationists all agree that without a new working water plan, the state could be facing one of the most damaging environmental disasters they have ever seen.... [tags: Texas Water Shortage]

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1966 words | (5.6 pages) | Preview

Comparing Maryland and Texas

- “You are a product of your environment. So choose the environment that will best develop you toward your objective.” (Stone, 1962) The words stated prior by William Clement Stone have never proved to be more accurate. A person’s place of living, whether chosen, suggested, or forced, has a great affect on their future years to come. Depending on a person’s environment, they can succeed or fail; linger around or progress. The further proceedings do not serve the purpose to “knock” or bring shame or favor to one geographical area.... [tags: Maryland vs. Texas]

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Texas Gambling: The Morality vs Legality of Casino Gambling

- For years casino gambling was portrayed in the media and Hollywood as being associated with criminal activities and the mafia. Now with proper scrutiny and government regulations casino gambling has become a lucrative business, with casinos stock even trading on Wall Street. Casino gambling is an ever increasingly popular and legal activity in many states throughout the United States. “The term gambling or ‘gaming’ as the industry calls it, means any legalized form of wagering or betting conducted in a casino, on a riverboat, on an Indian reservation, or at any other location under the jurisdiction of the United States” (National Gambling Impact Study Commission Act).... [tags: Gambling in Texas, ]

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Our Visit to the State Fair of Texas

- My family and I recently visited the State Fair of Texas. It is the biggest Fair in Texas that comes to Dallas every fall. I haven’t been since I was very young. The State Fair has so much to do and see. And one of the biggest attractions is the food that they offer. It is especially known for the famous fletcher corndogs. The first thing we did was found big Tex. Big Tex is a great known history of the state fair. He wears a size 70 boots and wears a 75 gallon hat.... [tags: state fairs, Texas, ]

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756 words | (2.2 pages) | Preview

The Benefits of Prison Animal Training Programs

- A litter of puppies gets dropped off down a dirt road, they soon will go to an animal shelter, and eventually, prison. More than 15 million animals face possible death in shelters and are being rescued by a surprising group of people: prisoners (Rhoades). Animals in shelters die every day because of limited amount of space, injuries, and behavior problems that cause them not to be adopted. They shouldn’t have to suffer from lack of attention since they have done nothing wrong. Instead, the animals could be sent to prisons for training by inmates, which would increase the animal’s chances of being adopted.... [tags: Prison Essays]

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2737 words | (7.8 pages) | Preview

Very Brief History of Alacatraz, the Prison

- With shackles on hands and feet, you face the floor and walk in a shuffle off the island ferry with the others following close behind. You look up to catch a glimpse of the substantial structure ahead with a correctional officer standing before it. You put your head back down and continue to walk. The correctional officer flashes a smile you do not see, but you can hear his simple but chilling words – “Welcome home.” Known to be stone cold and unforgiving, miles away from the mainland on a 22 acre mass of rock lies a prison where the most uncontrollable prisoners in America were controlled with strict daily routines and un-sympathizing punishments… Discovery Before Alcatraz was used by A... [tags: Prison, Island]

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The Growing Problems of the Prison System

- Mr. Governor, there are many ways to reduce the current problem of prison overcrowding; unfortunately many of them are not popular as they are seen as being soft on crime and as we both know that is not favorably looked upon. Some of the options would provide a temporary decongestion of the prisons while others would be a more long term reduction in inmate populations. After reviewing I believe that there are a few that we could possibly accomplish and still portray an acceptable persona to the public.... [tags: Prison Overcrowding, Education Opportunities]

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The Female Prison in the United States

- The female prison population in the United States is growing at an disturbing rate. According to Ajinkya (2013) from 2000 to 2009, the number of females incarcerated in state or federal prison rose by 21.6%. A high percentage of prison inmates, who tend to be poor, ethnic or racial minorities and young, will eventually be released to rejoin society and either return to their criminal lifestyles or adopt new, socially responsible patterns of behavior (Erisman & Contardo, 2005). According to Justice Center (2012), 19% of females released from prison will recidivate in the first three years post-release.... [tags: justice, incarceration, federal prison]

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Prison Life in the UK

- In the world we live in today there is, has been, and always will be an infinite amount of controversies throughout society. Perhaps one of the most important, being that it could jeopardize our existence, is the debate of how to deal with what most everyone would consider unwanted. The members of the prison population can range from petty thieves to cold hearted serial killers; so the conflict arises on how they can all be dealt with the most efficient way. The sides can result in a wide range of opinions such as simply thinking a slap on the wrist is sufficient; to even thinking that death is the only way such a lesson can be learned.... [tags: changing the prison system]

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1233 words | (3.5 pages) | Preview

The Queer Prison Abolitionist Movement

- It would be misguided to discuss queer prison abolitionist movements without first thoroughly examining the place of the prison system in the neoliberal imperial project of enemy production (both inside and outside the boundaries of the state). The contemporaneous production of exterior and interior enemies (terrorists and criminals respectively), movement toward and legislation for ostensible (and, importantly, homonormative) queer “equality,” the criminalization of radical activism through increased surveillance, torture, disappearance, and imprisonment, and the exponential growth in the transnationally funded prison system is symptomatic of what, in the article “Intimate Investments,” Ann... [tags: Prison Abolitionist, Inhumane Treatment]

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2445 words | (7 pages) | Preview

Annexation Of Texas

- Thesis: The nine years of Texas’s independence were long and seemed to be dragged out. Were those nine years unnecessary and could it have been done in a shorter period of time. 13 October 1834 was the first revolutionary meeting of the American citizens who’d settled in Mexico, in the area soon to be known as Texas. The people attempted a movement that soon was laid to rest by the Mexican Congress. Attempts at independence were silenced for the time being and the elections of 1835 proceeded forward.... [tags: Texas Independence]

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1058 words | (3 pages) | Preview

The Nature of the Modern American Prison System

- The nature of the modern American prison system is explored, especially with regard to the evolution of safety measures and the birth of prison privatization. Covered are Bentham's revolutionary Panopticon concept, as well as the driving forces behind prison labor practices and prisoner rights. Factors such as investor confidence, taxation, and public policy are all examined to determine how they influence the state of the prison system (both public and private). The rights of inmates in terms of overcrowding, medical care, and privacy are all considered and weighed against the greater good.... [tags: prison privatization, history]

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1694 words | (4.8 pages) | Preview

The Ethics of the Stanford Prison Experiment

- When put into the position of complete authority over others people will show their true colors. I think that most people would like to think that they would be fair, ethical superiors. I know I would, but learning about the Stanford Prison Experiment has made me question what would really happen if I was there. Would I be the submissive prisoner, the sadistic guard, or would I stay true to myself. As Phillip Zimbardo gave the guards their whistles and billy clubs they drastically changed without even realizing it.... [tags: Stanford Prison Experiment, psychology, criminal j]

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923 words | (2.6 pages) | Preview

The Stanford Prison Experiment: Phillip Zimbardo

- ... The prisoners were to remain anonymous and only referred to themselves and others by their ID number. As a substitute for shaving their heads, the prisoners were forced to wear a stocking cap. The act of shaving a prisoner’s head is to remove as much individuality as possible. As for the guards, they were not trained on how to act and they were told that within limits, they were allowed to do what they thought was necessary to keep order in the prison and command respect from the prisoners. The guards made up rules and the warden, an undergraduate student attending Stanford, enforced them.... [tags: volunteers, degradation, prison]

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1096 words | (3.1 pages) | Preview

Clash of the Political Titans: Texas and the US Government

- Both horses paw the ground in nervous excitement. The knights tightly grip their handles as they stoically stare at each other on either side of the long fence dividing them. The horses, feeling the imminence of battle, fidget uncontrollably. A cry in the air rings in both knights’ tin helmets like gunfire in a great hall. From one moment all was still, and the next both horses launch into full gallop down the fence picking up speed with each frantic paddle. Bracing, both knights close their eyes, the impact is coming.... [tags: federalism, us government, texas government]

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Attica Prison Riot and Prison Reform

- We live in a society today filled with crime and fear. We are told not to go out after a certain hour, always move in groups, and even at times advised to carry a weapon on ourselves. There is only one thing that gives us piece of mind in this new and frightening world we live in: the American penal system. We are taught when growing up to believe that all of the bad people in the world are locked up, far out of sight and that we are out of reach of their dangerous grasp. Furthermore, the murderers and rapists we watch on television, we believe once are caught are to be forgotten and never worried about again.... [tags: Society, Crime, Fear, Prisons]

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Alcatraz Prison

- Alcatraz Prison, in the San Francisco Bay, is surrounded by freezing waters and razor sharp rocks, making it the most inescapable prison in America. In 1775, a Spanish explorer Juan Manuel De Ayla named the small island La Isla De Los Alcatraces. It translates to “Island of the Pelicans” (Welcome to Alcatraz). This island is a twelve acre rock in the San Francisco Bay, the largest natural harbor in the world (Fuller,8). Because Alcatraz is surrounded by ice cold waters and dangerous currents, it was soon to be considered a perfect location for holding prisoners (Welcome to Alcatraz).... [tags: Federal Prison, The Rock]

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Prison Simulation Experiment

- ... Soon after Dr. Zimbardo ended the prison study, he became more aware of the altercations occurring in the San Quentin and Attica prison facilities. He took his findings from his study to the US House Committee on the Judiciary in order to offer his expertise and assistance to make sure what happened in his study would not continue within the prisons. Erich Fromm compared the Stanford Prison Experiment to how the Nazi soldiers treated the Jewish prisoners who were being held within the concentration camps during WW2 because in both incenses the guards used torture and dehumanizing to their advantages to over power and weaken the prisoners.... [tags: cognitive dissonance theory, prison systems]

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The Disparity In Sentencing Amongst Minorities In Prison

- Although some say the high disparity of minority to white prison sentences is due to repeat offenses by second and third time offenders, the disparity in the population between black and white Americans in the U.S. doesn't support the fact there are more minorities than whites in American prisons. The make- up of judges, juries and law enforcement officials in the judicial system are a factor. The high disparity amongst minorities in prison is due to the societal issues such as racial discrimination, racial inequality of lawmakers in the court system, and presumptive sentencing guidelines.... [tags: Prison Sentences, Repeat Offenses, Jail Time]

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The History of Alcatraz Prison

- In the 1920's and 1930's a new wave of crime had swept across the U.S. With the passage of the Volstead Act in 1920, producing and distributing alcohol became an extremely lucrative business. With this also came a sharp rise in organized crime in many of the big cities. Even worse, the crimes committed by members of these gangs became more violent. In July of 1933, J. Edgar Hoover was made the director of the newly formed FBI. Hoover decided that he was going to crack down on these criminals. Hoover chose to aim high and went after the heads of the crime gangs.... [tags: Alcatraz Prison]

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Biography of Dolph Briscoe, Governor of Texas From 1973 to 1979

- In this paper I will highlight one of the governors of Texas. Dolph Briscoe was the governor of Texas from 1973 to 1979. Not only was he a governor, he was also one of the largest individual land owners in Texas history. This in a state known for huge ranches. His philanthropy has provided support to a wide range of educational, medical, scientific, and cultural institutions. In this paper I hope to provide a little insight in to how much this man has impacted the evolution of Texas. Dolph Briscoe Jr.... [tags: american history, farm, texas, roads]

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The Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas

- The Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas The Kickapoo Indians are Algonkian-speaking Indians, related to the Sauk and Fox, who lived at the portage between the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, probably in present Columbia County, Wis., U.S., when first reported by Europeans in the late 17th century. The Kickapoo were known as formidable warriors whose raids took them over a wide territory, ranging as far as Georgia and Alabama to the southeast; Texas and Mexico to the southwest; and New York and Pennsylvania to the east.... [tags: Native Americans Indians Texas Essays]

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What is the Purpose of Prison and what Tries to Achieve

- Prisoners in portrayal of society are treated as outcast and are often forgotten- they need to be kept away from the society. It is vital to understand the purpose of prison and what they are trying to achieve and compare their actions to the re-offending rates as they are the perfect example to prove if the prison system works. However, studies about prisoners mainly focus on the effects prison has on them and how it affects society. There is luck of research actually looking at the prisoner experiences inside the prison and what issues they face.... [tags: human rights, prison system, prisoners]

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The Application of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Within a Prison Setting

- The current prison and criminal justice system has not proven to be helpful in rehabilitating offenders and preventing recidivism. To successfully alter this situation it is important to understand what steps and measures are available to assist those who find themselves imprisoned. The techniques used in cognitive behavioral therapy have proven to be effective in treating depression, anxiety and drug addictions among other things. Analyzing the techniques developed in cognitive behavioral theory and applying them to psychotherapy in prison environments can assist in making improvements in the prevention of criminal activity, rates of incarceration and safety and security of the general popu... [tags: criminal justice, prison system, depression]

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Prison System

- In the prison system most of the prisoners are labeled as either “mad” or bad”. The implication here is that “mad” implies that the prisoner is mentally ill and “bad” implies that they are purposely acting out. The main difference is if the person has the ability to choose to act a specific way they are “bad” or if they cannot control their actions then they are “mad”. In this paper I will describe how the prison workers distinguish between the prisoners as “mad” or “bad” as well as discuss how the ideas and social practices inform the prison guards’ judgment.... [tags: judgement, prison guards, mad, bad, prisoners]

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Andersonville Prison

- Andersonville, officially named Camp Sumter, was the most infamous Confederate prison during the Civil War (Davis 350; Reeder 140). The camp first opened in February 1864 close to the village of Andersonville in Sumter County, Georgia. Due to a food shortage at the compound in Richmond, Virginia, caused by an overflow of war prisoners, the Confederate officials decided to build a new prison in southwest Georgia (Turner 161, 162). The first prisoners arrived to an open expansion of sixteen acres, later increased to twenty-six acres, surrounded by a fifteen-foot tall fence (Davis 351).... [tags: Camp Sumter, Confederate Prison, Civil War]

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The Effect of Prison on Inmates

- The Effect of Prison on Inmates Prison has been around in human society for many millions of years. Having someone who disobeyed the law of that village, town, city or country punished in some form of institution, cutting them off from people, is a common concept – a popular and supposedly “needed” process society has taken to doing for many years now has been put under the spotlight many times by many different figures and people in society. The question remains – do prisons only make people worse.... [tags: Prison Argumentative Persuasive Essays]

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1768 words | (5.1 pages) | Preview

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the Prison System

- The failure of imprisonment has been one of the most noticeable features of the current crisis in criminal justice systems. At best, prisons are able to provide a form of crude retribution to those unfortunate to be apprehended. At worst, prisons are brutalizing, cannot be shown to rehabilitate or deter offenders, and are detrimental to the re-entry of offenders into society. If anything, they do little else than confine most prisoners, and as a result lead to the imposition of certain undesirable learning habits and labels.... [tags: Prison Jail Correctional Facility Crime]

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Alternatives to Prison

- Alternatives to Prison Prisons, facilities maintained for confining people convicted of committing crimes, were used to rehabilitate offenders while keeping them isolated from the community. The Quakers built the first prison in 1790 in order to seclude criminal offenders from society to think about their wrongdoing and to seek forgiveness in a kind, and spiritual environment. (Inciardi 497) Currently, there are three types of prisons within the Federal, State, and County governments. These are categorized by the degree of security they provide.... [tags: Jail Prison Crime Criminals Justice Essays]

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The Effectiveness of Prison Education Rehabilitation

- ... Although problems still exist, Education can target the most prevalent ones reaching to the root of the problem. Pont makes a very startling point, “Prisons today reek of idleness” (23). The old saying that goes, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop” can aptly apply to prisoners with nothing to do. Inmates should have the resources, abilities, and encouragement, to get their minds off their past life and channel it into a productive task. “Prison Studies Project”, a program that is working toward education and police change, deduces the following, “Prison education is far more effective at reducing recidivism than boot camps, “shock” incarceration, or vocational training, according to th... [tags: solving illiteracy rates in US prisons]

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The Public-Private Prison Debate

- California is suffering from a crisis in the prison system. Its facilities are operating at double capacity and " grossly deficient medical care" is the cause of at least one inmate death per week (Wood, 2008, para. 2). Because of this need for reform, the federal government is stepping in to direct the state prison’s operating procedure. Although the financial choices of each state should be free from federal control, the federal government is still known to put pressure on states to make decisions, especially when lawsuits arise.... [tags: Private vs. Public Prisons]

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Sexual Violence in Prison

- It is very difficult to prevent sexual violence outside the prison and jail area, nevertheless, imagine the issue inside the prison and jail area. There are people who will think the inmates deserve it and that they should not be helped since they are prisoners. Sexual violence has been going on for centuries and it is not a new issue. It is not until the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 that requires the Bureau of Justice Statistics to develop new national data collections on the incidence and prevalence of sexual violence within correctional facilities.... [tags: criminal justice, prisons, prisoners]

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Drugs in the Prison System

- Drugs in the Prison System This research paper will consist of an analysis of the use and abuse of illicit drugs within the prison systems on a global basis. With information gathered from various sources such as the internet and one on one interviews with an inmate in a male correctional facility and a former inmate of a female correctional facility I intend to show the rampant flow of drugs in and out of the prison system, the control of (or lack there of) by prison officials, the drug gangs and dealers in correctional facilities, the rate of addiction, and treatments available to inmates suffering from addiction.... [tags: Drug Trafficking Jail Prison Essays Narcotics]

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3192 words | (9.1 pages) | Preview

A Study of the Trans-Texas Corridor and How it Affects Texans

- A Study of the Trans-Texas Corridor and How it Affects Texans Everything is bigger in Texas. That’s what a lot of Texans what Americans and people around the world to know – you don’t mess with Texas. In the 1950’s, when President Eisenhower created the first Interstate plan for the country and implemented new roads in almost every single state, it was the largest engineering feat in the modern world. Now, almost half a century later, Governor Rick Perry is set to break that record, with the costliest, largest, and most incredible-sized proportion Texas Trans-Corridor, dubbed the “Texas Superhighway,” a 4000 mile, $175 billion dollar project that won’t be completely functional for anot... [tags: Texas Super Highways Transportation Essays]

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Prison Term Policy

- Prison Term Policy The members of the state legislature have hired me, a criminologist advisor to work for the state implementing a new bill on doubling a maximum sentence for anyone convicted of armed robbery.... [tags: Criminology Prison Term]

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Issues of Crime in The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison by Jeffery Reiman and Paul Leighton

- In The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison by Jeffery Reiman and Paul Leighton, four multifaceted issues are focused on and examined. These issues are the Unites States high crime rates, efforts in explaining the high crime rates, where the high crime rates originally came from, and the success attained at a high price. The initial key issue that Reiman and Leighton discuss is America’s high rising crime rates with the understanding of the people that believe policy and regulations are the causes of the decrease in crime.... [tags: prison, unemployment, homicides]

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History of Andersonville Prison

- History of Andersonville Prison When one turns on the television today they are made witness to all the crimes that are present in society. It is impossible to sit through thirty-five minutes of news without anger and rage becoming aroused. This is because society is bothered by infinitesimal paraphernalia. Society also believes in human rights and punishment for those who violate such rights. Yet what constitutes humanity. Ever sit there and watch the news and wonder just how far humanity reaches.... [tags: Andersonville Prison Civil War History Essays]

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Prison Overcrowding

- In the 1970s and 1980s, a massive amount of inmates began fillin up the United States prison systems. This huge rate of growth in this short amount of time, has greatly contributed to the prison overcrowding that the United States faces today. In fact, the prisons are still filled to the seams. This enormous flood of inmates has made it practically impossible for prison officials to keep up with their facilities and supervise their inmates. One of the main reasons why many prisons have become overcrowded is because of states’ harsh criminal laws and parole practices (Cohen).... [tags: Overcrowded Prisons Essays]

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Behind Convict's Eyes by Cerceral Prison

- "Behind a Convict's Eyes" by K.C. Cerceral Introduction This paper is about the book 'Behind a Convict's Eyes' by K.C. Cerceral. This book was written by a young man who enters prison on a life sentence and describes the world around him. Life in prison is a subculture of its own, this subculture has its own society, language and cast system. The book describes incidents that have happen in prison to inmates. With this paper I will attempt to explain the way of life in a prison from an inmate's view.... [tags: Behind Convict's Eyes Cerceral Prison Essays]

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California Needs Prison Health Care Reform

- California, the Golden State, a place where people from around the world come to for the consistent sunshine, and fun-filled atmosphere. California is home to the largest prison population in the United States. There are now thirty-three institutions, which house approximately 170,000 inmates. According to the Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO), it costs taxpayers about $51,000 per a year to house, feed, clothe, and provide healthcare for each inmate. The health care costs about $16,000, which includes, dental, medical, speciality care, mental health, and medication for each inmate (LAO, 18 Mar 2010).... [tags: prisons, healthcare]

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2210 words | (6.3 pages) | Preview

A Gamble on Texas

- Casino gambling is an increasingly popular and legal activity in many states throughout America. “The term gambling or ‘gaming’ as the industry calls it, means any legalized form of wagering or betting conducted in a casino, on a riverboat, on an Indian reservation, or at any other location under the jurisdiction of the United States” (National Gambling Impact Study Commission Act). States that allow casino gambling benefit vastly in the form of tax revenue and tourism. Texas, while allowing horse and dog racing, lottery, and charitable bingo, does not currently prohibit casino gambling.... [tags: Gambling, Casino]

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512 words | (1.5 pages) | Preview

The Annexation of Texas

- The Mexican War of 1846-1848 was one of major importance to U.S. history, but has since fallen into annals of obscurity. It was the nation’s first war fought on foreign soil: a war that advocated the concept of “manifest destiny”, the United States God-given right to claim territory for the establishment of a free democratic society (Stevenson 2009). Even though many historians claim the war was forced on Mexico by slaveholders greedy for new territory, President John Polk viewed the war as an opportunity to defend the annexation of Texas, establish the Rio Grande as its border, and to acquire the Mexican territories of California and New Mexico (Stevenson 2009).... [tags: California, New Mexico, John Polk, Mexican War]

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The Mavericks of Texas

- ... Jay Vincent and Rolando Blackman contributed 18.7 and 17.7 points per game. Brad Davis was also very consistent and averaged 7.2 assist a game. The 6'4 guard Dereck Harper who spent the next 10 seasons with the Mavericks averaged 15 points and 6.1 assist. The 1983-1984 season was a stepping stone due to the Mavericks first winning record in franchise history. Mark Aguirre was named the teams first NBA All-Star, he averaged 29.5 points per game just behind Utah's Adrian Dantley who averaged 30 points per game.... [tags: sports, basketball]

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