Overview of Kris
The file on Kris suggests that the shoplifting incident is his first offence as an adult. However, he might have offended as a juvenile since the Intensive Supervision Probation Program is for repeat offenders and it is also for offenders with a more violent criminal history. Kris is from a low-income family since he was unable to make bail. His offence also suggests that his economic condition is unstable. He pled guilty during his time in custody and the subsequent sentence suspension indicates that he completed probations successfully in the past; probably as a juvenile. Kris is in an age group where his path will determine the course of his life.
Robert Donavan’s review of Kris indicates the defendant’s willingness to move away from all criminal involvement and distancing himself from all forms of substance abuse. The conditions for Kris’ probation includes enrollment in a rehabilitation program, holding a steady job, avoid entering the chain of stores where he attempted to shoplift the leather jacket, and avoid criminal elements. These conditions direct the path of the defendant to move out of the low-income situation, avoiding further confrontation between the store management and the defendant, and refrain from indulging in drugs or alcohol.
Robert indicates close family ties especially between the defendant and his recently married wife. This information is unavailable in Kris’ file however, there is no mention of any visit by the family members when Kris was in custody without bail. In addition, there is no indication that the family was able to sustain the behavioral restitution that Kris gained when he was a juvenile in probation. This scenario questions the decision to allow Kris admission into the Intensive Supervision Probation Program. The second aspect of difference in opinion is that Kris attempted to fight his way out of the store. This behavior indicates that his juvenile offence was involving violent behavior.
Kris’ inability to comprehend the store manager’s authority which led to the scuffle between the two reiterates the fact that Kris still believes that violence is the way out. Hence, it is difficult to view Kris as a responsible person who seeks to reform. Robert’s assertion that the economic situation led to the crime and not any mental health issue holds valid. Kris pleaded guilty while in custody and that indicates his ability to judge the situation. The other valid assertion that Robert makes is that Kris is not a compulsive offender. He stayed away from criminal activity since his juvenile offence until he was twenty-five. This pattern in Kris rekindles the hope for effective rehabilitation.
Perfect candidate for Intensive Supervision Probation Program
Ideal candidate for the Intensive Supervision Probation Program is a repeat offender who has a tendency towards violence. Involvement in gangs, increased frequency in committing crimes, prolonged abuse of controlled substances, history of violence including violence with a weapon, suffering from mental health issues that result in erratic behavior, and sexual assault. Individuals of this category are of high risk to the community and the law enforcement fraternity. The program has intensive supervision and will enable these individuals to restore normalcy in their lives (Superior Court of Arizona, 2014).
The positive aspects required for the ideal candidate includes a stable family setup with parents or spouse and children, the ability to hold on to a steady job, and positive attitude towards rehabilitation. The goals of the program require the candidate to assume responsibility for the criminal actions and to make restitution to the victims or the community. This type of change in behavior, habits, and attitudes require the support of family members. The program will ensure that the candidate abstains from all prior contacts with criminal affiliation and the immediate family becomes the pivotal motivation to reform (Superior Court of Arizona, 2014).
Matching inmates to the correctional facility in response to cruel and unusual punishment
Correctional facilities in the United States are overcrowded and the facilities overrun with unsanitary surroundings along with a constant threat of violence. Inmates assigned to these prisons have a social goal towards rehabilitation. However, the overcrowding and inhumane surroundings make it impossible for any rehabilitation. The only progress is that of criminal escalation. Minors in the United States when facing federal charges or violent sexual assault charges face the court as adults. Hence, when they receive their sentencing, they serve their sentences in adult prisons and not juvenile centers. Studies indicate that most of the minors become victims of sexual abuse within the first week of arrival at the facility. The inhumane conditions along with the additional threats of harm constitute to cruel and unusual punishment (Bozelko, 2015).
The concept of matching inmates to the correctional facility involves aligning the social and criminal justice goals of each inmate to place them in a suitable correctional facility (North Carolina Department of Public Safety, 2012). For example, in the case of first-time violent offenders, the US Department of Corrections will check for facilities that have rehabilitation programs for first-time violent offenders and transfer all those who qualify into that facility. The prison complex houses the inmates according to the programs. This process will eliminate interactions between other dangerous criminal housed in the complex. An example of this is the incarceration of serial killers. They remain locked up for almost twenty hours of the day and constantly monitored through CCTV cameras. This plan keeps their interaction with the rest of the population at minimal levels.
Prisons are also the grounds for learning new trades. A convicted burglar will learn sophisticated safe cracking knowledge from fellow inmates during his incarceration and will use this knowledge when released. This creates an escalation in criminal behavior for that individual. However, when the incarceration plan prevents inexperienced criminals from interacting with experienced felons due to the rehabilitation plans that apply for them, the chances for preventing recidivism increases. Eventually the goal for incarceration is not just to punish. Rehabilitation is also part of the goal (Sun, 2012).
Rehabilitation inducing environment
A Norwegian prison situated on the Bastoy prison island is home to the lowest recidivism worldwide. Despite housing several violent criminals and a few serial killers, the record recidivism rate for this prison did not diminish. The outlook of the complex resembles a farm and observers notice inmates carrying out their daily duties or enjoying the landscape (James, 2013). This complex does not resemble any aspect of a US Correctional facility. Without armed guards and rigid rules, the inmates discover themselves while acquainting with long forgotten talents. Their stay at the facility renews their self-worth and they refuse to return to a life of crime upon release.
The Federal Prison at Pensacola in the United States bears limited resemblance to the Bastoy prison facility. The facilities include several sporting areas including a golf course (shared with the naval base). The majority of the inmates have jobs while engaging in recreational activities. The rehabilitation programs in this prison are a success due to the prison’s ambience. Inmates are able to experience freedom to explore hidden talents, complete their GEDs, pursue higher education, and participate in substance abuse rehabilitation programs. When released, these former inmates realign their lives and contribute positively to the society (Federal Bureau of Prisons, 2015). Hence, the option of additional guards, therapists, counsellors, and landscaping are justifiable when there is evidence of reform.
References
Bozelko, C (2015). Waiting on the Commissary. Retrieved from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/waiting-on-the-commissary_b_8846288.html
Federal Bureau of Prisons Staff (2015). FPC Pensacola. Retrieved from: https://www.bop.gov/locations/institutions/pen/
James, E (2013). Bastoy: the Norwegian prison that works. Retrieved from: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/sep/04/bastoy-norwegian-prison-works
North Carolina Department of Public Safety Staff (2012). Assigning Inmates to Prison. Retrieved from: http://www.doc.state.nc.us/dop/custody.htm
Sun, K. (2012). Correctional Counseling: A Cognitive Growth Perspective. Jones & Bartlett Learning. Burlington, MA. Pp. 25-41.
Superior Court of Arizona Staff (2014). Intensive Probation Supervision. Retrieved from: https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/AdultProbation/AdultProbationInformation/Supervision/IntensiveProbationSupervision.asp
