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Correctional population in the United States, 2012
Research methods
Question 1
Outline written for the journal: Correctional population in the United States, 2012. Retrieved from: http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/cpus12.pdfTitle: Correctional population in the United States, 2012
Thesis: Determining the correctional population in the united states involves obtaining statistics of the offenders living in the community, under the supervision of probation or parole agencies, and those held in the custody or federal prisons or local jails. Introduction
Describe the trend observed, in the correctional population as from the 2000 to 2012, in form of a graph, and the source of statistics used.
Thesis: Determining the correctional population in the united states involve obtaining statistics of the offenders living in the community, under the supervision of probation or parole agencies, and those held in the custody or federal prisons or local jails.
Available statistics
By yearend 2012, the rate of offenders under correctional supervision dropped below the 2000 level: Approximately 2870 offenders per 100000 US adult residents were under a given type of correctional supervision at the yearend 2012 while the correctional supervision rate dropped to less than 2900 per 100000 adult residents.
During 2012, the community supervision and incarcerated populations had the smallest decreases since 2009 : The decline of about 40,500 offenders, as accessed during the community supervision in 2012 represented the smallest decrease in this population since it first decline in 2009 (down 46,300). State that the decrease in the incarcerated population occurred due to reduction in the number of inmates, by 1.4%, held in the custody.
Decreases in probation and prison populations accounted for nearly the entire decline in the total correctional population during 2012: Approximately 38300 fewer probationers were present during the supervision at yearend 2012 in comparison to the beginning of the year, thereby accounting for 64% of the recorded decrease in the correctional population. The drop of 500 parolees (down 1.0%) between the beginning and end of 2012 had minimal impact on the total decline in the correctional population.
Describe the methodology used in collecting data
Sources of data
Annual probation survey; Annual Parole Survey: this began in 1980, with collection data across 50 states in the United States and federal system. Persons under the age of 18 but considered as adults in the court of law were put in the category of adults while those younger than 18 but prosecuted in the juvenile court were excluded.
Annual survey of jails: includes accessing inmates under the age of 18, held after or before adjudication; a total of 5400 persons in 2012.
Census in jails: census in jails aimed at accessing jails in US and the total inmate populations
Survey of jails in Indian country: involves collection of comprehensive information on the adults and juvenile confinement facilities and any other facilities controlled by the tribal authorities of the nation.
National prisoner statistics program: gather detailed information from the nation’s state department of corrections and the federal Bureau of Prisons.
Probation and parole population: State that annual change in the probation and parole populations was calculated within the year 2012. The correctional populations count makes use of the December 31 2012 population count for the probation and parole population.
Local jail and custody prison populations: The number of inmates’ calculation involves determining the population count recorded for the last weekday in June.
Decomposing the decline in the correctional supervision rate: calculated by subtracting the 2011 rate from the 2007 rate.
Conclusion
Summarize the trend in statistics as observed in the correctional population count.
Question 2
The New York Times: Does Media Violence Lead to the Real Thing? Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/25/opinion/sunday/does-media-violence-lead-to-the-real-thing.html?_r=0Vasili et al uses the article to discuss the link between media violence and violence in real life. After presenting specific evidences, particularly about the link between cigarette smoking and cancer, the authors conclude that media violence is a risk factor for violence. The evidence presented refutes the argument presented by their critics, who argue that the presence of violence scenes in TV shows and movies has no any link to the latter. As stated in the article, the opponents asserts that many of American households view violent imagery TV shows and films, but it turns out that only few involve in violent behaviors. The writers consider the reasoning as off-base by asserting, “Exposure to violent imagery does not preordain violence, but it is a risk factor”(Pozios et al, 2013). Somebody saying that he or she has smoked cigarette for long but does not have cancer cannot trigger the conclusion that there is no link between the two (smoking cigarette and cancer).
Research methods used
The authors make use of both basic and applied research. The evidence of use of basic research is in the nature of argument presented. Intuitively, the writers present their argument for human welfare rather than commercial purposes. They only clarify the point on the close link between media violence and real-life violence. Barely would the discoveries highlighted in the article yield commercial value for the subjects since they are more of knowledge enhancement. The article per se does not include the measurement of quantity or amount to validate the use of quantitative research (Thomas, 2011).
Further, the writers make use the discussion of link between media violence and real-life violence has acted as topic for public debate in the contemporary world, controlled by technology. The main objective of the article is to provide solution to social and real life problems, which in this case is to clear the air among the people in the society. Consequently, the presentation of this discussion means that the writers have interest in improving human conditions, as the result of the growing concern about the link between the two. Further, the completion of the research required support from growing body of research, as indicated. This validates the use of applied research which always involves attaining support from other bodies(Hucker, 2001).
Errors in research reasoning
A closer look at the body of the article shows that the writers have not provided clear evidence to support their argument. The article only talks about “a growing body of research” without indicating the name for further reference. They assert, “But a growing body of research indicates that this reasoning may be off base” (Pozios et al, 2013). This will leave a reader in doubts of whether this growing body of research is in existence. Further, the critics will also utilize prove that, in real sense, the argument of the writers is off base since they do not provide adequate evidence for their argument. Further, the writers incorporate a study published in the journal Pediatrics hazily, without providing a link for the readers to confirm their assertion (Nutley, 2007).
References
Lauren E. and Erinn J.(2013).Correctional Populationsin the United States, 2012.Bureau of Justice Statistics, NCJ 243936. Retrieved from: http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/cpus12.pdf
Nutley, S. M., Walter, I., & Davies, H. T. O. (2007).Using evidence: How research can inform public services. Bristol, U.K: Policy Press.
Smith, D. (2004). Social work and evidence-based practice.London ; Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Hucker, K. (2001).Research methods in health, care and early years. Oxford: Heinemann.
Pozios, K., Kambam, R. & Bender, E (2013).Does Media Violence Lead to the Real Thing?.Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/25/opinion/sunday/does-media-violence-lead-to-the-real-thing.html?_r=0Connaway, L. S., & Powell, R. R. (2010).Basic research methods for librarians. Santa Barbara, Calif: Libraries Unlimited.
Blankenship, D. (2010). Applied research and evaluation methods in recreation. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Thomas, J. R., Nelson, J. K., & Silverman, S. J. (2011).Research methods in physical activity.Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Definition Essay-Describing Significant Characteristics
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Definition Essay-Describing Significant Characteristics
Various defining characteristics make the woman that gave me life the most amazing person in our family. It is impossible to exhaust this list about why she is the most amazing person one will ever come across. Claudia is kind and selfless. She treats all the people around her with the utmost respect and does everything in her capacity to ensure they are happy and comfortable. The people who know her well and interacted with her can confirm this trait about her. Claudia is not just kind to her children but also her visitors, colleagues, and even strangers. Without a doubt, Claudia is the most selfless a person will ever meet. She never hesitates to put her children’s needs before her own. This is a trait that she has instilled in her children over the years. Her children can confirm that they are true reflections of who their mother is. Claudia has similar behavior with her children as they strive to emulate her in everything they do.
Worth noting, graduating high school, getting accepted into college and being named the environmental enthusiast of the year are some of the most defining moments in the educational journey. These three moments are rather special as they signify a time in life when a person felt most accomplished. For some people graduating and joining college is not a big deal because, after all, everybody graduates from college. However, for some people graduating high school and getting an acceptance letter is a happy moment considering the struggles that a person goes through in high school. Individuals from poor economic backgrounds especially face more difficulties than children from well-off backgrounds. As such, they tend to feel accomplished when they graduate college and get accepted into university. Furthermore, individuals that are passionate about climate change and the environment also tend to feel happy and accomplished when they are recognized for their efforts. In as much as they do what they do because they believe in the cause, being recognized with an award or title such as environment guru or enthusiast goes a long way in boosting their morale.
Chess is such an interesting game to watch or play. People that have friends that play chess are the luckiest people as they get to experience the game first-hand. The three traits that make chess an interesting game to watch or play include the setup, movements, and checkmate concept. The initial setup of chess is interesting. The pieces, including knights, pawns, kings, queens, and bishops, are arranged. Each piece has a designated station where it stays before the game kicks off. Additionally, all the pieces also have a distinctive movement that they follow. Some of the pieces, such as pawns, move according to the en passant rule. It is also interesting that a player wins by attacking the king of their opponent. When the king is under attack, he is said to be in check.
The iPhone is an interesting piece of technology. Some of its most defining characteristics are its customization features, location tracking feature, and high-quality camera. Unlike android phones, iPhones have a feature that can track all locations that it has been in. This makes tracking a lost iPhone or missing person easy. As long as its “find my iPhone” feature is active, locating the person is rather easy. Iphones are also easily customizable. One can increase contrast, transparency, reduce motion, among other things. Iphones cameras are also notorious for taking high-quality photos and videos. The Iphone camera uses some of the most sophisticated and updated technological features, making it the perfect camera phone for selfie lovers and content creators.
Correctional Officers
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Correctional Officers
Correctional officers are a crucial part of the prison system. They perform multiple roles within the correctional centers, such as carrying out searches, breaking up fights and disputes, enforcing rules, maintaining order, among many others. In the course of duty, these officers are exposed to multiple threats to their physical and mental wellbeing. The incarcerated population in the United States has grown exponentially over the years, meaning that each prison holds many inmates at a time. For example, Rikers in New York holds more than 10000 inmates at a time. A significant percentage of these inmates, up to sixty percent, are violent offenders. This puts the correctional officers at significant physical risk as they carry out their duties. Officers are attacked on the job, leading to both non-fatal and fatal injuries. Between 1999 and 2008, 113 officers lost their lives due to attacks in the line of duty. These grim statistics led to the study of some of the threats that correctional officers are exposed to at work and policy recommendations to address the situations.
Officer Graham from the YouTube video takes viewers through a typical morning at Rikers solitary confinement unit. He explains that he is aware of the danger that he faces every day he comes to work. The officers feed the prisoners, and in the video, one of the inmates is seen throwing fecal matter and urine at the officer (ABC News 2:25). This act shows the kind of experiences that correctional officers go through. Officer Graham also explains the physical danger he faces dealing with multiple violent offenders in the prison. A study done by the National Institute of Justice outlines the challenges that correctional officers face. These include exposure to infectious diseases by infected inmates, riots, gangs, inadequate resources, stress, injury, and death (Ferdik & Smith 6). Their job affects every aspect of their life, including family and mental wellbeing.
To address these challenges, the article outlines some policies recommended to promote correctional officers’ safety and wellbeing. One of the most effective interventions is a peer program where colleagues can offer support to officers experiencing trauma at their jobs (Ferdik & Smith 16). Such kind of counseling is especially useful because the peer officer understands the experiences of the other officers. An example of this is the Critical Incident Stress Management Program in Pennsylvania. Another valuable policy to deal with the dangers faced by correctional officers is Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). These programs provide various services to officers that help them with their every-day challenges. Some of the services offered by EAPs include referring officers to treatment providers, confidential provision of necessary help, and assisting leaders to manage troubled employees (Ferdik & Smith 17). Correctional officers have many concerns in their line of work, which can create disputes and dissatisfaction. EAPs also help with this by discussing any such concerns with officers and leaders in the prison management system. These programs designed to promote the wellbeing of correctional officers will go a long way in improving their safety and wellness at work. However, there needs to be more intervention, such as adequate staffing for prisons so that officers have a manageable workload.
Works Cited
ABC News. “Rikers Correction Officer | A Day in the Life.” YouTube. 19 May 2016. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4X0xKSBvqvEFerdik, Frank Valentino, and Hayden Smith. Correctional officer safety and wellness literature synthesis. US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice, 2017.