The Case Of A Prison Sentence Essay - 1413 Words

Earlier in 2015, a man named Brock Turner, aged 20, was convicted on three counts of sexual assault after he was found sexually assaulting an unconscious woman behind a dumpster outside a fraternity house on the Stanford campus (Knowles 2016). Two Swedish students witnessed the event and pulled Turner off the young woman, holding him until the police arrived and in March 2016, the jury found Turner guilty (Knowles 2016). The case would have been forgotten, thrown under the immense pile of campus rape incidents in the US, had it not been for Judge Aaron Persky and his decision to award Turner a sentence of six months in a county jail and probation rather than the ten years in prison his conviction warranted (Knowles 2016). Outrage ensued surrounding this decision and the fact that Persky justified his choice by citing that, â€Å"a prison sentence would have a severe impact on him, I think he will not be a danger to others† (Fantz 2016). As if the victim of his crime hadnâ€⠄¢t already been severely impacted by his actions, and will continue to be impacted for the rest of her life. Her suffering was compounded when she did not receive a simple apology or acceptance of responsibility, and also failed to receive the justice that the system should have awarded her. It is here that we see white male privilege and the culture of victim blaming coalesce with horrifying outcomes. The attention that Brock Turner has brought to this cultural issue is the reason for which he should remain aShow MoreRelatedEssay Ewing V. California/ Andrade V. California1274 Words   |  6 Pageschosen were released from public and private state prisons after expiration of their sentences. The centralized idea of this study was to determine the differentiation between public and private state prisons focusing on recidivism. I have chosen two cases that reflect on the central issue of this topic and how they are treated by the Courts which can hopefully shed some light on the r esearch problem as it exists in present society. These cases are based on Californias legislative system whichRead MoreThe Sentencing Phase Of A Criminal Case902 Words   |  4 Pagespleads guilty, a judge will then decide a suitable punishment (or sentence) during the sentencing phase of a criminal case. There are varying outcomes that can influence sentencing offenders, they can range from probation and community service to prison and even the death penalty. Minor infractions, misdemeanors, or offenders who plead guilty usually get sentenced almost immediately after ones convictions. 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Why Do You Think the Prison Population Has Increased so Much in the Last Ten Years?1740 Words   |  7 Pagescriminals who despite having been punished for a crime go on to repeat it, only to be returned to a custodial sentence. It is for this particular reason that the penal system need to decide whether the system is effective in doing its job, or reforms are needed to improve the way it co nducts itself. What causes Recidivism? Recidivism is caused by criminals who have been through the courts and prison system and still refuse to turn away from crime; the causes of repeat crime may involve many social factorsRead MoreThe Issue Of Reoffending Rates1507 Words   |  7 Pagesis because it soaks up a large percentage of the unemployed, therefore making unemployment official statistics look better. Research has identified a correlation between reoffending rates and the length of sentence. One might expect that the people who had originally been given longer sentences would be the more hardened criminals and therefore more likely to be reconvicted. But the highest reconviction rates are actually given to those who have served less than 12 months. However, these statisticsRead MorePrison Overcrowding And The Criminal Justice System Essay1497 Words   |  6 PagesPrison overcrowding occurs when the inmate population exceeds the rate in which inmates are released. More than half of America’s prisons are overcrowded. Strict government and state budgets are partly to blame for this issue. Operation of prisons at maximum capacity is dangerous for employees and other inmates. Prison overcrowding continues to add stress on the entire criminal justice system. Public Defenders, wardens, judges, governors, and probation officers must amalgamate to help resolveRead MoreEssay on Level of Punishment Does Not Fit the Crime1008 Words   |  5 Pagesvictims of serious crimes that the justice system fails to make sure that criminals pay the price for the devastation that they cause. For example, Johannes Mehserl only served 2 years in prison for the killing of innocent member of public, Oscar Grant. At the same time, there are examples of 5 years prison sentences for the possession of marijuana. This is enormously unfair, as someone who can take the life of another human being should receive a far harsher punishment than someone whose crime onlyRead MoreMandatory Minimums Should Not Be Mandatory911 Words   |  4 Pageslonger sentences cost too much, are ineffective in reducing drug related crimes, and do not allow for lenience in extenuating circumstances. The average cost of keeping a single prisoner incarcerated in federal prison for a year is approximately $30,619.85 (Prisons Bureau, and Department of Justice), multiply that number by the typical five years in prison mandatory minimum policy demands for minor drug crimes as well as multiplying it by the approximate 93,262 inmates currently in prison for drug