Recent orders
Correctional Expenditure
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Correctional Expenditure
The correctional facility is an integral part of the criminal justice system. Many countries allocate a significant amount of money to run these facilities and ensure that the offenders who have been convicted get the necessary support to correct and help them integrate back into society once they complete their sentences. It is important to note that the amount of money spent on correctional facilities varies from one country to another, depending on many factors. In developing countries, the amount of money spent on correctional facilities is relatively high compared to developed countries. This is because, in many developing countries, the crime rate is usually high. The crime rate is often associated with poverty, which is why many developing countries still grapple with the rising cases of criminal activities (Natarajan, 2016). It is critical to note that the judicial system in many countries is functioning, and when the people committing a crime are arrested, they end up getting convicted and incarcerated in correctional facilities. The expenditure on running correctional facilities varies depending on the number of people incarcerated, and as noted earlier, developing countries spend more money running these facilities due to the high number of offenders. Correctional facilities spend a lot of money on two major issues arising from running the institution; the workforce, which ensures the facilities’ smooth running, and the welfare of the inmates.
The correctional facilities workforce accounts for a significant amount of money spent by various administrative units to ensure that the inmates are properly secured within the correctional facilities. In many countries, there are specific requirements that correctional facility employees must meet to be recruited. The requirements vary from one state to another, depending on the nature of the crime. The correctional facility workforce should have special skills to handle inmates and help them correct their mistakes and adhere to societal norms. According to Atkin-Plunk (2013), prison wardens should possess special skills that will enable them to offer leadership and help inmates transform and be better members of society. To equip the prison wardens with the skills, many countries allocate funds to train prison wardens. Depending on the wardens’ skills to discharge their responsibilities, the expenditure will vary in different countries.
To enable the inmates to transform effectively in the correctional facilities, their welfare should be prioritized. It is critical to note that a correctional facility is an environment that can affect the prisoners’ psychological due to alienation from the life they are used to. Therefore, the administrative units must get the right people to help them cope with the prison environment as they are transformed before integrating into society. According to Haslam and Reicher (2012), when a person is introduced to a correctional facility, they tend to exhibit resistant social psychology. Therefore, it is important to get a professional who specializes in inmate psychology to help the transition from their normal lives to prison life. Another critical expenditure that administrative units incur in correctional facilities is the health of the inmates. Health care is very expensive in many countries, and it is the role of the many states to take care of the prisoners’ health once they are convicted. Most of the money allocated to correctional facilities is spend treating prisoners who fall sick within the facility. Prisoners are also entitled to excellent and healthy meals and this is another expense that administrative units incur in taking care of the prisoners’ welfare.
In conclusion, many things are evident in correctional facilities in which one can get an in-depth understanding after conducting research. Most prisoners suffer from psychological trauma after getting convicted. The administrative units’ responsibility is to ensure that prisoners are assisted in transitioning from their previous lives into a new life in prison. Prisoners are also entitled to healthy meals, just like other citizens. Another factor that is clear from the literature review is that prison wardens must undergo special training that equips them with the necessary skills to handle the prisoners. The correctional facilities workforce and prisoners’ welfare are the most expensive activities that account for the money allocated to correctional facilities. However, the expenses incurred differ from one country to another.
References
Atkin-Plunk, C. A., & Armstrong, G. S. (2013). Transformational leadership skills and correlates of prison warden job stress. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 40(5), 551-568.
Haslam, S. A., & Reicher, S. D. (2012). When prisoners take over the prison: A social psychology of resistance. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 16(2), 154-179.
Natarajan, M. (2016). Crime in developing countries: the contribution of crime science.
Defining Your Team
Defining Your Team
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Introduction
Many companies have adopted teams as the appropriate way of carrying out various functions. It is always imperative that the individuals in the team have their goals synchronized to allow for the attainment of the company’s goals. To achieve this, it is imperative that the goals of the group be understood clearly by all members. In addition, it is imperative that interactions in the team be managed so as to ensure a strong, cohesive team.
Ensuring that the goals of the team are clearly understood by all members
This comes as crucial as far as having the goals of the group met within the stipulated time and using the least resources. In ensuring that all members clearly understand the goals of the team, the team leader should do the following.
He should ensure that there is clarity as to the responsibilities that have been assigned to certain individuals. This is especially where there is a possibility of competition between two or more of the team members for control in a certain area. In such a case, the area should be divided into unique parts with each member given control in a part in line with his personal inclinations and strengths (William & Jeffrey 2007).
It is imperative that the whole team be involved in making decisions on issues that rely on the team’s commitment and consensus. This would allow each member to feel as if he or she owns the idea, solution or final decision. In this way, team members will be committed to understanding all issues (William & Jeffrey 2007).
Ensuring that all lines of communication are open is imperative. The team members should feel free to clarify with the management as to any issue that they have not clearly understood. In addition, all team goals should be explained in an uncomplicated manner (Mac 2012).
Build a strong, cohesive team.
The main point behind the formation of teams is because teams are deemed to be more effective in attaining goals that trying it individually. However, cohesiveness between team members tends to be an elusive phenomenon. Leaders may ensure cohesiveness between members through a number of ways (Rinus 2001).
Cohesiveness between team members may be enhanced if their roles are interlinked. Rather than assigning complete sections of certain programs to an individual, it would be preferable that they be distributed to allow team members to work together (Mac 2012).
It is also imperative that the leaders come up with clear objectives, project plans and directions that will guide the team. If all individuals understand the group objectives, their purpose will be aligned. It is imperative that they also be given time to ask questions and understand their goals. Once they have understood the crucial nature of collaboration or working together as a group their cohesiveness will be strengthened (Rinus 2001).
Differences between team members will always be a threat to cohesiveness. It is imperative that the leaders ensure that conflicts are resolved quickly. This reduces tension among members and allows all members not to feel misplaced (William & Jeffrey 2007).
It is imperative that the leaders create opportunities for team members to interact. These opportunities may involve workshops where team members brainstorm ideas rather than having all individuals coming up with singular solutions. Events such as team meetings, progress updates and social events would also come in handy (William & Jeffrey 2007).
Manage interactions in the team
Interactions between team members can determine the productivity of the team. In essence, it is imperative that the interactions be managed in such a way that they enhance productivity. This can be done in a number of ways.
It is imperative that leaders encourage communication between team members. In essence, boundaries should be established as to the level of interactions, especially where it concerns the achievement of team goals. An agreement should be arrived at regarding tasks that have to be performed and the team members informed as to the expected behavior within the group (Rinus 2001).
Ongoing assistance should be provided especially where team problems arise. Members will always have differing opinions, therefore, interventions should be effected efficiently so to eliminate these conflicts (William & Jeffrey 2007).
References
William. G. D & Jeffrey H. D, 2007. Team Building: Proven Strategies for Improving Team Performance. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Feb 9, 2007
Mac B, 2012. Teambuilding. New York: Trafalgar Square
Rinus. M, 2001. Team Building: The Road to Success. London: Reedswain Inc
Porters model
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In order for any company or organization to enhance and maintain its competitive strategy, it is imperatively important for it to understand and appreciate the dynamic and complex client needs as well as its capabilities. Emergent research shows that a firm’s profitability depends highly on the management of the wide ranging activities that are characteristic of its value chain. Indeed, specific factors such as the price the clients are willing to pay in relation to the value of the products are of paramount importance and need to be analyzed upfront. The value chain framework that was proposed by Porter is an instrumental tool that can be used to determine the capability of my organization in light of its strengths and weaknesses. Timely acknowledgement of these is important as it would enhance the maximization of value creation and concurrent minimization of costs (Lynch, 2003).
In light of Porters model, the firm comprises of primary activities and support activities that share intricate and augmenting relationships (Porter, 1985). Notably, the marketing and sales departments have exhibited exemplary performance as they have provided other departments with accurate and reliable data with respect to sales forecast. Nonetheless, it is not certain whether this data has been provided in a timely manner market analysis shows that competitors also have this information. The procurement department has presented its concerns with regard to availability of raw materials. Reportedly, suppliers have increased the price because of the high demand. This will probably have a direct impact on the end product. In particular, the price might be slightly higher in order to secure the profit margin. However, before making the final decision in this respect, it is important to review the status of competitors. Collaborating with down stream channels and upstream suppliers as well as customers according to Macmillan and Tampoe (2000) is also influential in price determination.
However, the firms financial stability has ensured timely attainment of the raw material and hopefully, inbound logistics would speed up the operations to ensure that the product reaches the market in a timely manner. Regardless of this, it is important to eliminate delays with respect to acquisition of vital information and timely communication to relevant parties. The sales and marketing departments definitely need to align its operations on the principle of effectiveness. Enhancement of infrastructure and technology to ensure that inherent operations are lean would also ease communication within the firm. Analysis of competitors’ value chains shows that they are also grappling with this shortcoming. Effecting it promptly would therefore enhance the firm’s competitiveness and empower it to stay ahead in the market.
Porter’s value chain framework has been instrumental in identification of the firm’s weaknesses and strengths. From the analysis, it is certain that the firm’s financial stability is a strengthening factor as it has enabled it to overcome the glaring challenges. However, it needs to improve its technological and infrastructural capacity in order to enhance its performance. This has been based on a critical analysis of its current status in light of the position of its competitors as well as the perceptions of upstream supplies, customers and downstream channels. However, two main issues need to be addressed in order to qualify the entire process. To begin with, what are the most credible sources of information for value chain analysis? Then, since the firm can not have all the resources required for production, what are the implications of outsourcing on value chains?
References
Lynch, R. (2003). Corporate Strategy, 3rd Edition. USA: Prentice Hall.
Macmillan, H. & Tampoe, M. (2000). Strategic Management. Oxford: University Press.
Porter, M. (1985). Competitive Advantage: Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance. New York: Free Press.