How Effective Is The Criminal Justice System Criminology Essay

How Effective Is The Criminal Justice System Criminology Essay This essay is going to critically analyse and explore how female offenders are dealt with across the Criminal Justice System (CJS) focussing on different agencies including how they are dealt with in custody, in prison, and also the mental health of female offenders and how theyre needs are or arent met. I will also be looking into the history of the female offender and draw upon different theorists ideas as to why they offend and also if they are inherently different to their male counterparts. The way in which female offenders are treated has evolved quite considerably over time. Many centuries ago the female criminal was seen as being mad and bad because they were subjected to double deviancy in that not only were they going against their perceived biological role, but also because they were committing an offence, therefore making them a criminal. When faced with this, women are not only punished by the CJS but also by friends, family and society in general. Female criminals have been consistently portrayed down the ages as peculiarly evil and depraved, and as unstable and irrational. Often their irrationality is linked to their biological and their psychological nature. Paradoxically, they have been depicted as unfeminine and hence unnatural (Lombroso and Ferroro 1895) or all too feminine (Pollak 1950 in Carlen and Worrall :18). Women, like men, are dealt with by many different agencies in the Criminal Justice System, but is there any difference in treatment between the genders? This is an important aspect to consider when analysing the effectiveness of how female offenders are dealt with. Much research has been done into the difference of treatment between genders when being dealt with by different agencies within the Criminal Justice System (CJS). It has been said that women are treated more leniently by the CJS compared to men. One of the reasons suggested for this is because women are said to captivate men thus ensuring them more lenient treatment. Police also see women as less of a threat than men which is said to be another reason why they get treated more leniently and also are less likely to be sentenced for their crimes. Police have been accused of having a sexist attitude towards dealing with female offenders and are reluctant and unhelpful when it comes to cases of women in refuges. One question that has always attracted a lot of interest is the reasons as to why women offend. There are numerous and complex reasons as to why women commit crime. Rumgay (1996) argues that the backgrounds and circumstances of womens lives are inseparable from their involvement in crime (Gelsthorpe 2002b:290). The factors included for female offending are, poverty, addiction, prostitution, abuse and unemployment to name a few. (A) high proportion (of women in the CJS) are lone mothers. Many have lived on state benefits, few have been in paid employment, many have large debts, one in ten will have experienced homelessness and two in five will have experienced foster or other state care prior to imprisonment (Fawcett Society 2004: McIvor 2004; Carlen 2002 in Gelsthorpe et al 2007:13). More female offenders than male offenders have been a victim of sexual or emotional abuse prior to their imprisonment. This can have a profound effect on a womans time spent in prison as they will have t o deal with authority from male prison officers which could have an impact on their mental health although not a lot has been written about male prison officers working in female prisons. Strip searching in female prisons is also something to consider when discussing the emotional impacts prison life has on female offenders as Corsten (2007:8) states the regular, repetitive, unnecessary overuse of strip searching in womens prisons (to be) humiliating, degrading and undignified and a dreadful invasion of privacy. For women who have suffered a past of sexual abuse it is an appalling introduction to prison life and an unwelcome reminder of previous victimisation (Corston 2007:8). It is important to note that experience of abuse does not excuse women of their criminality but it does mean they have different needs from men in the CJS and a different approach to their criminality is required, (Corston 2007:20). The prison system has come under a lot of criticism in recent years for appare ntly failing to effectively deal with the needs of these women. Far more female offenders suffer from mental health problems than their male counterparts and this is something that is not being dealt with effectively enough in female prisons, two thirds of women in prison are suffering from some sort of mental disorder (Wilson 2005:49). It has also been said that staff in female prisons are lacking essential skills and also that the prisons are under resourced. Research has suggested that mental health problems increase whilst a woman is imprisoned. Liebling (1994) states that women tend not to riot or exert violence in prison when distressed, but they are far more likely to self-harm or attempt suicide as an outlet. This is said to be the reason why rates of attempted suicide and self inflicted death are significantly high in female prisons. A study which was conducted by the Safer Custody Group (SCG) discovered that females in prison are forty times more likely to kill themselves and eighteen more times likely to self harm than women in the com munity (Rickford 2003). He also goes on to say despite the best efforts of individual staff and despite the initiatives of the SCG, overcrowding undermines the ability of the Prison Service to provide a decent, safe environment in which women are less at risk of self harming (Rickford 2003:15). In order to understand the extremity of mental health problems in female prisons the SCMH explains: Prisons are overcrowded and lack staff skilled in dealing with mental health problems. There is also a high degree of co-morbidity among prisoners; some have a combination of mental health problems, substance misuse, personality disorder or learning difficulties (2006:1). There is much speculation surrounding the legal framework surrounding mental health in prison and is slightly hazy. Prisons, even their health care wings are not recognised as hospitals under the Mental Health Act 1983 (SCMH 2006:7). This is another indication that the mental health needs of female prisoners are not being met. The Human Rights Act of 1998 came into force in October 2000 stating that the Prison Service has an obligation to protect people in its care. Article 2 states Everyones right to life shall be protected (Rickford 2003:32). Other factors affecting women in prison is the fact that they are far more less likely to have a partner on the outside looking after their children, elderly family members or children, and almost 40% lose their home whilst imprisoned (Women in Prison 2006 in Hayes 2007:188). This is very significant when discussing this because over half of women in prison are mothers with dependent children. Carlen Worrall (2004:37) discuss that while 90% of fathers in prison expect their children to be cared for by the childrens mother, only about 25% of mothers in prison expect their children to be cared for by the childrens father (Home Office 2002a). As a result of this, over 18000 children a year are taken into care (Corston 2007). Because there are far less female prisons compared to male prisons, women are more likely to be far away from home. This could mean that they dont see their family as much as they would like or need to. Travelling to and from prison is costly especially to those who are from low income families. Not only are mothers not seeing their children regularly but it also could have a negative effect on the relationship between a mother and her children thus breaking down the bond they once shared. All these factors could only add to a woman already struggling with mental health problems. Research by HMP Holloway, London, showed that only 35% of a sample of prisoners on reception were from London. The majority were from Sussex and Hampshire with some from Devon, Dorset and Cornwall; 5% were from the Midlands. A third of the Holloway population surveyed by the Chief Inspector had not received a visit from family or friends throughout their sentence (HMP Holloway 2000 in Rickford 2003). If the children of these female offenders re taken into local authority care, the local authority has to fund the childrens transport to prison thus resulting in a greater social cost.

The Wrong Stuff

In the book, The Wrong Stuff, by Marcus Stern, Dean Calbreath, and Jerry Krammer, a sad story is told about a man that fell from grace as one of the truly great Americans and went on to become one of the most publicly lambasted figures of a generation. The book talks about the life, trials, and tribulations of Duke Cunningham, the American congressman that saw his star fall as far from the sky as one could possibly fall. In the book, the authors take an interesting viewpoint on the many different scenes that would eventually shape Cunningham’s life and they use an interesting style to get across these points.Ultimately, the authors combine to render an effective work that takes a comprehensive view of a man with an emphasis on proving that his life was one that was ultimately wasted. The main idea of the book is to not only give the reader a history of Duke Cunningham and his situation, but to shed a light on what might have caused the congressman to mess up something that cou ld have been so good. It does not take a short sighted view on the congressman, either.Instead of simply focusing on the bribery scandal that sent him to jail or the tax evasion that was a part of his life, it focuses on letting the reader know why these things happened and what might have motivated Cunningham to take such risks. The book talks at length about the fact that Duke Cunningham had it made as a congressman from the moment he entered office. He was able to gain his seat after the incumbent fell victim to a scandal of his own. In addition, he was able to use his past military service in the Vietnam War as a means of earning respect among both his peers and his constituents.The book ties all of these events together in a way that gives the reader a clear view of Cunningham’s entire life and political experience. One important point that the book tries to make numerous times is the fact that Cunningham gained his position of influence not only by circumstance, but als o because he was a relentless worker. On page twenty-four of the work, the authors write (2007), â€Å"But no one outworked Cunningham. Jim Laing, one his tactical flight instructors, once marveled at his willingness to study1† (p. 24).This was an important theme through the book that was represented by in many ways using tales of his Vietnam days. The book’s authors understood that people would be more moved by tales from the battle front, so they took advantage of those stories as much as possible. In one way, this is why the book succeeds in grabbing the reader. In the work, the authors find a lot of success in validating their primary points. They try hard to make the point that the congressman had everything out in front of him, yet he did not have the right stuff to make it happen in life.Luckily for the authors, Cunningham gives them many examples of both of these instances. Not only is he an excellent worker with many accomplishments leading up to his problems, but his political career crashes and burns in such a way that it would be nearly impossible for any author to miss the point in describing the event. Because this was one of the most publicized political corruption incidents of all time, it is very easy for the authors to make the reader understand its significance.The authors make mention of the publicity of the incident when they write (2007), â€Å"Cunningham could no longer walk the halls of congress without being dogged by television cameras and shouted questions†1 (p. 237). This is a clear indication that the event was taking its toll on the senator, and the authors waste little time mentioning this in their work in a way that readers can understand. I would certainly recommend this book to people close to me because it is a perfect recollection a fairly interesting incident.It succeeds in a lot of different ways because it uses real life examples to not only tell the story, but to paint a portrait of Cunningham as a m an. It would really allow my parents to see the congressman in a human sense, instead of simply as a politician with no soul. Of the weaknesses in the book that I would point out to those people, there includes the fact that it is slow moving at points. People that pick up this book to read it are looking to get insight on the scandals and political situations that the congressman was involved in.It spends a little bit too much time focusing on Cunningham’s life as a youngster, while it should be focusing on the main points. Still, these weaknesses are not all that evident to the casual reader, because it is not a slow enough book that will make readers want to put the book down. References Calbreath, D, & Condon, G. E. , & Krammer, J. , & Stern, M. (2007). The Wrong Stuff: The Extraordinary Saga of Randy â€Å"Duke† Cunningham, the Most Corrupt Congressman Ever Caught. PublicAffairs Publishing.

In part two of Silas Marner Essay

The readers are also told that that Godfrey is in fact, secretly married to Molly Farren, with whom he was a child. Dunstan is the only other person who is aware of this situation and blackmails Godfrey, threatening to inform the Squire, ‘how his handsome son is married to that nice, young women, Molly Farren, and was very unhappy that he couldn’t live with his drunken wife. ‘ (Chapter 3 pg 22) Godfrey fears the Squire finding out because he worries about losing his position of the upcoming squire, and also Nancy Lammeter, since he ‘must irrevocably lose her as well as his inheritance. ‘ (Chapter 3 pg 24) So although we are told that Godfrey is, ‘open-faced’ and ‘good natured’, he also could be considered as a very self – centered and self – serving character. He doesn’t face up to the consequences of his actions, and has secrets which he is not prepared to reveal incase they affect his current life style. Inside, he is very conniving and two faced. When Silas turns up at the Red House on New Years Eve, seeking a doctor, holding a little girl and revealing how a woman is injured in the snow outside, Godfrey knows straight away who it is and is shocked and afraid. He is worried that Molly will reveal his secret to the villagers. ‘There was a terror in his mind at that moment†¦ the women might not be dead. ‘ (Chapter 13 pg 99) He is more concerned with finding her dead than the possibility of saving her, because it will leave him free to marry Nancy, and his inheritance will be safe. Yet again to the villagers, Godfrey appears to have the best interest of the women in mind, by making sure she is not injured and to be assistance. However his inner thoughts betray his shallowness and his ultimate self – interest. ‘Deeper down†¦ there was a sense that he ought to except the miserable wife and fulfill the claims of the helpless child. But he had no moral courage enough to contemplate the active renunciation of Nancy as possible as him†¦ ‘ (Chapter 13 pg 101) Equally, his treatment of Eppie is also self – serving. Godfrey has the opportunity to claim her, but chooses not to. Silas says, ‘fill anybody shoes, they’ve got a right to take her from me,’ (Chapter 13 pg 102). His other opportunities include: Marrying Nancy (which he does); Starting a fresh, (which he does); having Eppie in the open, but still wedding Nancy, (Which he does not do) Godfrey is anxious but ultimately his attitude is that his life will be better in the future with Nancy if he leaves his secret behind, ‘if she is [dead]†¦ I shall be a good fellow in the future. ‘ (pg 101) Whereas Silas embraces Eppie, ‘It’s a lone thing†¦ and I’m a lone thing. ‘ (pg 102) This turns out to be a fundamental change in the lives of the two men. After 16 years, Silas’ life has changed enormously since taking on Eppie. He isn’t as shallow, and always worrying about money because he has a loving daughter who loves him. His work has slowed down, and he now socializes with the villagers, and has fashionably taken up smoking a pipe! More importantly, his faith has been restored, and is very content because he believes he has everything. Silas did not highly enjoy smoking†¦ but a humble sort of acquaintance in what was held to be good had become a strong habit of that new self which has been developed in him since he had found Eppie. ‘ (Chapter 16, pg 124) In comparison to Silas, Godfrey’s life hasn’t turned out so positively. He feels discontent that he hasn’t achieved anything in his life, because the use of ‘squire’ has stopped and he feels that he is less than his father. Unfortunately Nancy and he remain childless, and he has no heir. ‘I wanted to pass for childless once, Nancy – I shall pass for childless now against my wish’ (Chapter 20 pg 151) Godfrey finally admits to parentage because he wants to adopt Eppie, to be able to make her an heir, and continue the family name within the Red House. He wants his child to become a ‘lady’ and have a better life. Once more, even though this change may benefit Eppie, ultimately Godfrey’s reasons are self serving. Eppie’s response to Godfrey’s offer isn’t as he expected. She declines his offer, as she wants to remain with her ‘father’ that brought her up from a small child. She ‘doesn’t want to be a lady. ‘ Eppie wants to live in a way she is accustomed to, with different friends on the same social group as her own. Marrying Aaron would be forbidden if she was a lady, as he isn’t upper class. On the other hand, Eppie isn’t familiar with Godfrey, and doesn’t see him as a ‘father’. Eppie would be lost without Silas, as they do everything together they ‘drink from the same cup. ‘ Eppie fears of Silas going back to his old ways if she leaves him and wants to stay loyal to him, as he was the one who took her in as his own. ‘I cant feel as I’ve got any father but one†¦ I’ve always thought of a little home where he’d sit in the corner, and should fend and do everything for him: I cant think of no other home. ‘ (Chapter 19, pg 150) With the arrival of Eppie, both men’s lives have been changed in very different ways. Silas is content with his life, his faith has been restored and his social life is better than ever. Whereas, Godfrey is disappointed with the arrival of Eppie, as he had all he ever wanted until she arrived, and his secret had been kept safe until then. Silas’ life in Lantern Yard consisted of faith, love, trust and relationships. After being framed and removed from the church, he decides to move to Raveloe, where he isolated himself from the community. Then his gold was stolen from his home, by Godfrey’s younger brother Dunstan. While Silas is out, Eppie then appears on his doorstep on New Years Eve, after her mother left her while she was injured. Silas takes her in and cares for her as if she’s his own blood, believing she is a ‘gift from god’ to replace his gold. From the up bringing of Eppie, he manages to bring himself out of isolation and regain his faith, relationships, respect and love. Eppie was beneficial to Silas in more ways than one. In Godfrey’s life, though, his secrets are hidden from the beginning until Eppie arrives. When he realized it was Molly outside Silas’ house, he was more concerned with finding her dead than alive, to prevent his secrets from being published. The main opportunity was to claim Eppie, but at first, he thought that his life in the future would be better with Nancy if Eppie was remained unclaimed. Unfortunately Nancy is unable to have children and produce an heir for him. This is when Godfrey realizes, as her biological father, that she could be that upcoming heir he desperately needs, to prevent his name leaving the Red House as a ‘Squire’. Godfrey puts forward an opportunity to Eppie, for her to move in with himself and Nancy, as, ‘he would provide her with a better future. ‘ Eppie’s response isn’t as he expected – she says no! The reason is that Eppie doesn’t want to lead the life of a lady, and have to change the social group of which she is part. Eppie wants to remain with Silas and look after him until the end, just like he has cared for her. This choice of Eppie’s, has rewarded those who nurtured her – in this case, Silas. Overall, George Eliot wrote this book as a very moralistic novel. Silas deserved to be loved by Eppie as he provided her with a loving home, family and religion; all out of the goodness of his heart. So when Eppie decides she wants to stay with him, it rewards him and returns his gratitude. On the other hand, all of Godfrey’s choices were self – serving. In the beginning he had an opportunity to claim Eppie from Silas, but failed to, supposing that his life will be improved with Nancy, without the difficulties of Eppie. Later on in the novel, he recognizes he made the wrong decision, as Nancy is unable to produce any heirs to take his place. Once more his actions are convenient for him because, he now realizes that Eppie could take that that position. In spite of this when Eppie declines his offer, he deserves it, as in the past he has been a selfish coward. Therefore it proves that life can change, because of the path you choose to lead!!   Kate Martyn English Coursework! 1 Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Arthur Miller section.

Athlete Endorsements - 4186 Words

THE PROS AND CONS OF ATHLETE ENDORSEMENTS Sport Marketing and Promotions Introduction What is an athlete endorsement and what significance does it play in the corporate world of advertising? According to dictionary.com an â€Å"endorsement† is the act of endorsing something through approval or sanction. Companies regularly use athletes and other high profile individuals to endorse their company and/or specific products as part of a comprehensive marketing strategy. They use the popularity of their talents to entice consumers to look favorably on their brand and to increase sales of their products or services thru their tacit approvals. These approvals or sanctions are done by having the athlete align themselves with the company†¦show more content†¦Michael Jordan’s sneaker, know as Air Jordan’s kicked off in 1986 and became the most successful athlete endorsement in history. Nike sold more than $100 million in a single year, which helped the company hit its first billion-dollar year (â€Å"History of Athletes,† 2009). At hlete endorsements today are seen through a variety of different media sources. You can turn on the television to see Tiger Woods wearing his Nike golf shirt or go online to purchase a football jersey and see Payton Manning using a MasterCard. Athlete’s endorsements have evolved with the latest technologies today and have kept pace in maintaining their relation with their consumers. Companies use Athletes as a marketing strategy to launch new products, reposition products, and/or to reinforce brand images. This paper will explain what researchers have found on the pros and cons of using Athletes to endorse a product. Review of Literature In 2003, a study was conducted to evaluate some of the reasons why celebrity endorsements can be a bad idea for corporate brands. 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