Death penalty final rationel - Tran Huu Minh Quan - 11BSM4quanlaem
This document discusses arguments for and against the death penalty. It argues that the death penalty should be abolished for several reasons. It does not effectively deter crime, as murder rates are higher in countries that have the death penalty compared to those that do not. It is also against morality to kill someone as punishment. The process of appealing a death sentence is very long and costly, with taxpayers spending millions of dollars to execute very few people. There is also a risk of putting innocent people to death due to flaws in the justice system. Life imprisonment is a better alternative as it allows criminals to learn from their mistakes and potentially be rehabilitated.
Death Penalty final rationel - Tran Huu Minh Quan - 11BSM4quanlaem
This document discusses arguments for and against the death penalty. It argues that capital punishment should be abolished. It states that the death penalty is not an effective deterrent for criminals and kills people, sending the wrong message. It also claims that life in prison is a worse punishment and more cost effective for taxpayers. There is also a risk of innocent people being put to death with the imperfect justice system. The document concludes that the death penalty is against morality and alternatives like life in prison can rehabilitate criminals.
The document provides three arguments in favor of the death penalty:
1) It is a more humane form of punishment than life imprisonment without parole or other harsh sentences, as it ends prolonged suffering.
2) Life imprisonment does not always guarantee criminals will be incarcerated for life, as some have received pardons or early parole.
3) Some criminals, even in prison, remain threats to society through their influence and ability to continue criminal operations; the death penalty is the only way to fully remove this threat.
The document provides three arguments in favor of the death penalty:
1) It is a more humane form of punishment than life imprisonment, which subjects prisoners to unending suffering.
2) Life imprisonment does not always guarantee that a criminal will remain in prison for life, as some prisoners have received pardons or had their sentences reduced.
3) Some criminals, even in prison, remain a threat to society through their influence and ability to continue criminal operations from behind bars. The death penalty is the only way to fully remove this threat.
A 20-year-old man was shot twice in the stomach by a 34-year-old man in Salina, Ks. The victim survived and the suspect was booked for attempted murder. A criminologist using the conflict view may argue this was an act by an underclass man and harsh punishment is deserved. A consensus view criminologist would say that shooting someone is illegal and wrong according to societal beliefs. An interactionist criminologist could argue the suspect was justified in his perception due to opinions of others in his group, though it is illegal according to societal power structures.
Capital punishment has been debated in the United States throughout its history. While some studies have found it deters crime, others have been inconclusive. Supporters argue it deters serious crimes by instilling fear in would-be criminals, prevents repeat offenses by incapacitating dangerous individuals, and fulfills a desire for retribution. However, opponents argue there is no clear evidence it deters crime more than other punishments like life in prison. The debate around capital punishment considers its effectiveness from ideological perspectives like deterrence, incapacitation, rehabilitation and retribution.
The document discusses the case against mandatory minimum sentencing laws. It introduces Mandy Martinson, a woman sentenced to 15 years in prison for drug offenses even though she had no prior record and had regained her job and sobriety. It argues that mandatory minimums are racially biased, have bloated prison populations with nonviolent offenders, give prosecutors too much power, and waste taxpayer money. Alternatives proposed include abolishing them, implementing safety valves to allow lesser sentences based on circumstances, and returning sentencing discretion to judges.
This document summarizes a study that examined the effects of offender attractiveness on length of punishment for different crime types. 18 students participated in a study where they assigned prison sentences to an attractive, unattractive, or control man suspected of either swindle or burglary. ANOVA analyses found no significant effects of attractiveness on sentence length for either crime type. This failed to replicate previous research finding harsher sentences for attractive offenders committing attractiveness-related crimes. Limitations of the study design and subjective nature of attractiveness could account for the null findings. Further research is needed to better understand the relationship between defendant characteristics and legal judgments.
Death penalty final rationel - Tran Huu Minh Quan - 11BSM4quanlaem
This document discusses arguments for and against the death penalty. It argues that the death penalty should be abolished for several reasons. It does not effectively deter crime, as murder rates are higher in countries that have the death penalty compared to those that do not. It is also against morality to kill someone as punishment. The process of appealing a death sentence is very long and costly, with taxpayers spending millions of dollars to execute very few people. There is also a risk of putting innocent people to death due to flaws in the justice system. Life imprisonment is a better alternative as it allows criminals to learn from their mistakes and potentially be rehabilitated.
Death Penalty final rationel - Tran Huu Minh Quan - 11BSM4quanlaem
This document discusses arguments for and against the death penalty. It argues that capital punishment should be abolished. It states that the death penalty is not an effective deterrent for criminals and kills people, sending the wrong message. It also claims that life in prison is a worse punishment and more cost effective for taxpayers. There is also a risk of innocent people being put to death with the imperfect justice system. The document concludes that the death penalty is against morality and alternatives like life in prison can rehabilitate criminals.
The document provides three arguments in favor of the death penalty:
1) It is a more humane form of punishment than life imprisonment without parole or other harsh sentences, as it ends prolonged suffering.
2) Life imprisonment does not always guarantee criminals will be incarcerated for life, as some have received pardons or early parole.
3) Some criminals, even in prison, remain threats to society through their influence and ability to continue criminal operations; the death penalty is the only way to fully remove this threat.
The document provides three arguments in favor of the death penalty:
1) It is a more humane form of punishment than life imprisonment, which subjects prisoners to unending suffering.
2) Life imprisonment does not always guarantee that a criminal will remain in prison for life, as some prisoners have received pardons or had their sentences reduced.
3) Some criminals, even in prison, remain a threat to society through their influence and ability to continue criminal operations from behind bars. The death penalty is the only way to fully remove this threat.
A 20-year-old man was shot twice in the stomach by a 34-year-old man in Salina, Ks. The victim survived and the suspect was booked for attempted murder. A criminologist using the conflict view may argue this was an act by an underclass man and harsh punishment is deserved. A consensus view criminologist would say that shooting someone is illegal and wrong according to societal beliefs. An interactionist criminologist could argue the suspect was justified in his perception due to opinions of others in his group, though it is illegal according to societal power structures.
Capital punishment has been debated in the United States throughout its history. While some studies have found it deters crime, others have been inconclusive. Supporters argue it deters serious crimes by instilling fear in would-be criminals, prevents repeat offenses by incapacitating dangerous individuals, and fulfills a desire for retribution. However, opponents argue there is no clear evidence it deters crime more than other punishments like life in prison. The debate around capital punishment considers its effectiveness from ideological perspectives like deterrence, incapacitation, rehabilitation and retribution.
The document discusses the case against mandatory minimum sentencing laws. It introduces Mandy Martinson, a woman sentenced to 15 years in prison for drug offenses even though she had no prior record and had regained her job and sobriety. It argues that mandatory minimums are racially biased, have bloated prison populations with nonviolent offenders, give prosecutors too much power, and waste taxpayer money. Alternatives proposed include abolishing them, implementing safety valves to allow lesser sentences based on circumstances, and returning sentencing discretion to judges.
This document summarizes a study that examined the effects of offender attractiveness on length of punishment for different crime types. 18 students participated in a study where they assigned prison sentences to an attractive, unattractive, or control man suspected of either swindle or burglary. ANOVA analyses found no significant effects of attractiveness on sentence length for either crime type. This failed to replicate previous research finding harsher sentences for attractive offenders committing attractiveness-related crimes. Limitations of the study design and subjective nature of attractiveness could account for the null findings. Further research is needed to better understand the relationship between defendant characteristics and legal judgments.
Ketema Ross brutally beat his elderly neighbors with a broom handle in 2007, believing he was acting on orders from the president and CIA to stop a terrorist attack. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity and spent seven years in a high security mental hospital. Most people with mental illness who commit crimes spend much longer incarcerated than if they had committed the same crime with criminal intent. Society understands punishment but does not understand mental illness, making it difficult for those found not guilty by reason of insanity to receive fair treatment.
This document is a thesis submitted by Hollie Heron-Stamp investigating influences of justice orientation and offender gender on public sentencing behaviour. It provides background on the democratization of punishment and discrepancies between what research shows is effective in reducing crime versus what the public supports. It discusses Ajzen's theory of planned behavior as a framework to understand influences on public sentencing intentions. Specifically, it discusses how political orientation (attitude), gender norms (subjective norms), and perceived control may impact views on punishment and sentencing. The thesis will empirically test how these factors and offender gender influence sentencing decisions using case studies.
From the document:
- Questionnaire 1 asked 50 people about age, film preferences, and found most were female, aged 15-20, and prefer thrillers rated 15.
- Questionnaire 2 found most would expect a villain with a knife, murder anytime, in a woodland, with the villain in dark clothes, and revenge as the motive.
This document contains the opinions of a student named Andrew Gubanyi on various political and social issues. It includes views on expanding national defense, keeping jobs in America, increasing criminal penalties, improving the environment, and placing restrictions on marriage and divorce. The student advocates for stronger national security, protecting domestic jobs from outsourcing, harsher punishment for criminals, investing in the environment, and implementing tests and waiting periods for marriage and divorce.
This presentation discusses Jessica Critzer's perspectives on crime and criminality which changed during her course. Prior to the course, she held several misconceptions including beliefs that most criminals are sentenced to jail, criminals choose to commit crimes, and violent crimes are not linked to social factors. The presentation covered topics like the crime funnel, links between criminality and genetics/society, and disproportionate homicide rates for African Americans. It also discusses how the interactionist theory influenced her beliefs by showing criminal behavior is learned through social interactions. She concludes the course helped change her views by basing opinions on research rather than unfounded beliefs.
Victimology is the study of victims and how to help them heal after a crime, while criminology is the study of criminals and how society views and punishes crimes. The article discusses five victim typologies: primary victimization targeting an individual; secondary targeting random victims; tertiary targeting the public as a whole like terrorism; mutual victimization of criminals targeting each other; and no clear victimization. It also analyzes recent incidents of elementary students being suspended for imaginary play that involved pretend weapons, questioning whether this punishes normal childhood imagination or prevents real threats.
David Gale, an activist against capital punishment, is sentenced to death for raping and killing a fellow activist. He claims his innocence in interviews with a journalist, Bitsey Bloom. Gale explains that another activist, Constance Harraway, framed him for the crimes in an attempt to prove that innocent people are executed. On the day of Gale's execution, Bloom discovers evidence that Gale was telling the truth, but arrives at the prison too late to stop the execution.
The Effect of Gender and Type of Force on Perceptions of Sex TraffickingAmanda Langley
1. This study examined how mock jurors perceive sex trafficking cases based on the defendant's gender (male or female) and type of force used (physical abuse or coercion).
2. Results showed that male defendants and cases involving physical abuse were seen as more typical of sex trafficking. Male defendants also increased the likelihood of a guilty verdict.
3. The type of force used indirectly affected verdicts, as physical abuse led to lower perceptions of defendant credibility and higher chances of a guilty verdict. This suggests jurors may be unclear on defining sex trafficking versus domestic violence.
The document argues against the death penalty for three main reasons:
1) Many innocent people have been executed, as evidenced by over 130 people released from death row after being wrongly convicted of murder. Once carried out, the death penalty cannot be reversed if new evidence is later found.
2) The death penalty process and appeals system is very long and expensive, often lasting over 25 years and costing over $1 billion more than life imprisonment without parole.
3) The death penalty is inhumane and violates human rights, as no person or legal system has the right to end another human life.
The document argues that juveniles who commit severe crimes should be tried as adults. It discusses the history of juvenile courts and how cases can be transferred to adult court through statutory, judicial, or prosecutorial waiver. While juvenile courts aim to rehabilitate youth, the author believes some juveniles are incapable of rehabilitation and will reoffend if released. Therefore, juveniles who commit crimes like murder or rape should face the same consequences as adults, including the possibility of life imprisonment or capital punishment, regardless of their age.
Psy 118 paper #3 psychology of prison rape msgjrSammie Gillaspie
This document discusses rape in prison and the reasons it occurs. Rape is used as a form of currency or power within prison hierarchies. Victims often do not report assaults due to embarrassment and threats from attackers. Being raped in prison can lead to long-term psychological trauma for victims, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, which makes adjustment after release difficult. Rape is used to extort victims and force them into servitude through threats or providing favors to attackers. The psychological and emotional impacts of prison rape can be severely damaging and long-lasting for victims.
The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments in two cases that test whether sentencing a 14-year-old to life in prison without parole is unconstitutional. Currently, 79 juvenile offenders under age 14 are serving life without parole for homicide. The article discusses the two cases: one involves a 14-year-old in Arkansas who received a mandatory life sentence for felony murder even though he was not the triggerman; the other involves a 14-year-old in Alabama who severely beat and killed a man during a robbery. Both received life without parole. The Supreme Court will consider whether such mandatory sentences for juveniles constitute cruel and unusual punishment given research that adolescent brains are less developed.
This document summarizes the key points of debate around gun control legislation. It discusses the underlying issues debated such as the interpretation of the 2nd Amendment and the efficacy of existing laws. Supporters argue that increased regulation could reduce gun violence and homicides, while opponents counter that it could leave families vulnerable without means of self-defense. The document also notes fallacies in the arguments and alternative policies proposed, such as universal background checks and registration systems. It concludes that stricter gun control laws around mental health screening, background checks, and safe storage could help reduce gun violence and accidental shootings.
E4a1 how defendant characteristics affect jury decision makingAarono1979
Psychologists have studied how defendant characteristics can affect jury decision-making. Research has found that racial stereotypes can influence jurors, with mock juries more likely to find black defendants guilty compared to white defendants who committed the same crime, and give black defendants harsher sentences. Additional research has shown attractive defendants are judged as less guilty and given lower sentences than unattractive defendants. Accent also influences jurors, with regional accents viewed more negatively than posh accents in some cases. These findings suggest jurors may be swayed by superficial characteristics rather than just the evidence.
This presentation was a part of the Social Justice Internship program. It covers the background and detriments of sentencing juveniles to life without parole.
The document discusses two Supreme Court cases testing whether sentencing juveniles to life without parole for homicide is cruel and unusual punishment. It summarizes the facts of the two cases - one involving a 14-year-old in Arkansas who participated in a robbery where his accomplice killed the store clerk, and another involving a 14-year-old in Alabama who severely beat and killed a man during a robbery. The document discusses arguments that will be made that mandatory life without parole sentences for juveniles are cruel considering their brains are not fully developed and they are more likely to rehabilitate. However, some states argue these sentences are justified for serious crimes and will deter juveniles from committing murder. The court will decide if life without parole is
The document discusses the main aims and theories of sentencing in criminal law. It outlines five main purposes of sentencing according to statute: punishment, crime reduction through deterrence, reform and rehabilitation of offenders, protection of the public, and reparation. It then examines six main sentencing philosophies in more depth: retribution, deterrence, reform/rehabilitation, protection of the public, reparation, and denunciation. Specific examples are provided for each philosophy.
Juror 8 is described as a mid-40s architect who is quiet, calm, sensitive, passionate, intelligent, and fair. After the trial, he was the sole juror voting not guilty. Through reasoned debate over many hours, he was able to persuade the other jurors of reasonable doubt in the case, leading them to also vote not guilty. He impacted the plot and changed other characters' views of him by proving his logical reasoning.
This document outlines a proposed psychoeducational group for female victims of sexual assault. The group aims to provide healing and help members find their worth and identity in Christ. It will meet weekly for 90 minutes over 8 weeks, covering topics like shame, anger, identity, and responsibility. The purpose is to help members understand and experience Christ's healing power through integrating biblical counseling with psychology. Members will explore the impact of abuse and how to respond in a godly way. The group will be led by a trained female counselor and provide a safe space for empathy, support, education, and community.
TROY DAVIS - Execution DESPITE RECANTATIONSVogelDenise
- Troy Davis is scheduled to be executed on Tuesday for killing a police officer in 1989, despite significant issues with the case against him. Three of the four key witnesses who testified against him at trial have since recanted, saying they lied under pressure from police. Other witnesses now point to another man as the killer.
- The Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 has made it much harder for federal courts to overturn convictions, even in cases like Davis's where witnesses have recanted. This has helped block consideration of the new testimony in Davis's appeals.
- Questions around the fairness of Davis's trial and conviction have led a former FBI director and others beyond normal death penalty opponents to
Icpa forget the bogus cures. just make prisons decentSir Martin Narey
A challenge to the notion there are easy cures for offending. We need to treat prisoners with dignity and give them opportunities (education, job training) to change their own lives.
Forget about rehabilitation, concentrate on making prisons decent.Sir Martin Narey
Speech to the ICPA arguing that decent and respectful prisons will allow individual self growth and change. "Doing things" to prisoners in otherwise poor and disrespectful conditions will not.
Ketema Ross brutally beat his elderly neighbors with a broom handle in 2007, believing he was acting on orders from the president and CIA to stop a terrorist attack. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity and spent seven years in a high security mental hospital. Most people with mental illness who commit crimes spend much longer incarcerated than if they had committed the same crime with criminal intent. Society understands punishment but does not understand mental illness, making it difficult for those found not guilty by reason of insanity to receive fair treatment.
This document is a thesis submitted by Hollie Heron-Stamp investigating influences of justice orientation and offender gender on public sentencing behaviour. It provides background on the democratization of punishment and discrepancies between what research shows is effective in reducing crime versus what the public supports. It discusses Ajzen's theory of planned behavior as a framework to understand influences on public sentencing intentions. Specifically, it discusses how political orientation (attitude), gender norms (subjective norms), and perceived control may impact views on punishment and sentencing. The thesis will empirically test how these factors and offender gender influence sentencing decisions using case studies.
From the document:
- Questionnaire 1 asked 50 people about age, film preferences, and found most were female, aged 15-20, and prefer thrillers rated 15.
- Questionnaire 2 found most would expect a villain with a knife, murder anytime, in a woodland, with the villain in dark clothes, and revenge as the motive.
This document contains the opinions of a student named Andrew Gubanyi on various political and social issues. It includes views on expanding national defense, keeping jobs in America, increasing criminal penalties, improving the environment, and placing restrictions on marriage and divorce. The student advocates for stronger national security, protecting domestic jobs from outsourcing, harsher punishment for criminals, investing in the environment, and implementing tests and waiting periods for marriage and divorce.
This presentation discusses Jessica Critzer's perspectives on crime and criminality which changed during her course. Prior to the course, she held several misconceptions including beliefs that most criminals are sentenced to jail, criminals choose to commit crimes, and violent crimes are not linked to social factors. The presentation covered topics like the crime funnel, links between criminality and genetics/society, and disproportionate homicide rates for African Americans. It also discusses how the interactionist theory influenced her beliefs by showing criminal behavior is learned through social interactions. She concludes the course helped change her views by basing opinions on research rather than unfounded beliefs.
Victimology is the study of victims and how to help them heal after a crime, while criminology is the study of criminals and how society views and punishes crimes. The article discusses five victim typologies: primary victimization targeting an individual; secondary targeting random victims; tertiary targeting the public as a whole like terrorism; mutual victimization of criminals targeting each other; and no clear victimization. It also analyzes recent incidents of elementary students being suspended for imaginary play that involved pretend weapons, questioning whether this punishes normal childhood imagination or prevents real threats.
David Gale, an activist against capital punishment, is sentenced to death for raping and killing a fellow activist. He claims his innocence in interviews with a journalist, Bitsey Bloom. Gale explains that another activist, Constance Harraway, framed him for the crimes in an attempt to prove that innocent people are executed. On the day of Gale's execution, Bloom discovers evidence that Gale was telling the truth, but arrives at the prison too late to stop the execution.
The Effect of Gender and Type of Force on Perceptions of Sex TraffickingAmanda Langley
1. This study examined how mock jurors perceive sex trafficking cases based on the defendant's gender (male or female) and type of force used (physical abuse or coercion).
2. Results showed that male defendants and cases involving physical abuse were seen as more typical of sex trafficking. Male defendants also increased the likelihood of a guilty verdict.
3. The type of force used indirectly affected verdicts, as physical abuse led to lower perceptions of defendant credibility and higher chances of a guilty verdict. This suggests jurors may be unclear on defining sex trafficking versus domestic violence.
The document argues against the death penalty for three main reasons:
1) Many innocent people have been executed, as evidenced by over 130 people released from death row after being wrongly convicted of murder. Once carried out, the death penalty cannot be reversed if new evidence is later found.
2) The death penalty process and appeals system is very long and expensive, often lasting over 25 years and costing over $1 billion more than life imprisonment without parole.
3) The death penalty is inhumane and violates human rights, as no person or legal system has the right to end another human life.
The document argues that juveniles who commit severe crimes should be tried as adults. It discusses the history of juvenile courts and how cases can be transferred to adult court through statutory, judicial, or prosecutorial waiver. While juvenile courts aim to rehabilitate youth, the author believes some juveniles are incapable of rehabilitation and will reoffend if released. Therefore, juveniles who commit crimes like murder or rape should face the same consequences as adults, including the possibility of life imprisonment or capital punishment, regardless of their age.
Psy 118 paper #3 psychology of prison rape msgjrSammie Gillaspie
This document discusses rape in prison and the reasons it occurs. Rape is used as a form of currency or power within prison hierarchies. Victims often do not report assaults due to embarrassment and threats from attackers. Being raped in prison can lead to long-term psychological trauma for victims, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, which makes adjustment after release difficult. Rape is used to extort victims and force them into servitude through threats or providing favors to attackers. The psychological and emotional impacts of prison rape can be severely damaging and long-lasting for victims.
The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments in two cases that test whether sentencing a 14-year-old to life in prison without parole is unconstitutional. Currently, 79 juvenile offenders under age 14 are serving life without parole for homicide. The article discusses the two cases: one involves a 14-year-old in Arkansas who received a mandatory life sentence for felony murder even though he was not the triggerman; the other involves a 14-year-old in Alabama who severely beat and killed a man during a robbery. Both received life without parole. The Supreme Court will consider whether such mandatory sentences for juveniles constitute cruel and unusual punishment given research that adolescent brains are less developed.
This document summarizes the key points of debate around gun control legislation. It discusses the underlying issues debated such as the interpretation of the 2nd Amendment and the efficacy of existing laws. Supporters argue that increased regulation could reduce gun violence and homicides, while opponents counter that it could leave families vulnerable without means of self-defense. The document also notes fallacies in the arguments and alternative policies proposed, such as universal background checks and registration systems. It concludes that stricter gun control laws around mental health screening, background checks, and safe storage could help reduce gun violence and accidental shootings.
E4a1 how defendant characteristics affect jury decision makingAarono1979
Psychologists have studied how defendant characteristics can affect jury decision-making. Research has found that racial stereotypes can influence jurors, with mock juries more likely to find black defendants guilty compared to white defendants who committed the same crime, and give black defendants harsher sentences. Additional research has shown attractive defendants are judged as less guilty and given lower sentences than unattractive defendants. Accent also influences jurors, with regional accents viewed more negatively than posh accents in some cases. These findings suggest jurors may be swayed by superficial characteristics rather than just the evidence.
This presentation was a part of the Social Justice Internship program. It covers the background and detriments of sentencing juveniles to life without parole.
The document discusses two Supreme Court cases testing whether sentencing juveniles to life without parole for homicide is cruel and unusual punishment. It summarizes the facts of the two cases - one involving a 14-year-old in Arkansas who participated in a robbery where his accomplice killed the store clerk, and another involving a 14-year-old in Alabama who severely beat and killed a man during a robbery. The document discusses arguments that will be made that mandatory life without parole sentences for juveniles are cruel considering their brains are not fully developed and they are more likely to rehabilitate. However, some states argue these sentences are justified for serious crimes and will deter juveniles from committing murder. The court will decide if life without parole is
The document discusses the main aims and theories of sentencing in criminal law. It outlines five main purposes of sentencing according to statute: punishment, crime reduction through deterrence, reform and rehabilitation of offenders, protection of the public, and reparation. It then examines six main sentencing philosophies in more depth: retribution, deterrence, reform/rehabilitation, protection of the public, reparation, and denunciation. Specific examples are provided for each philosophy.
Juror 8 is described as a mid-40s architect who is quiet, calm, sensitive, passionate, intelligent, and fair. After the trial, he was the sole juror voting not guilty. Through reasoned debate over many hours, he was able to persuade the other jurors of reasonable doubt in the case, leading them to also vote not guilty. He impacted the plot and changed other characters' views of him by proving his logical reasoning.
This document outlines a proposed psychoeducational group for female victims of sexual assault. The group aims to provide healing and help members find their worth and identity in Christ. It will meet weekly for 90 minutes over 8 weeks, covering topics like shame, anger, identity, and responsibility. The purpose is to help members understand and experience Christ's healing power through integrating biblical counseling with psychology. Members will explore the impact of abuse and how to respond in a godly way. The group will be led by a trained female counselor and provide a safe space for empathy, support, education, and community.
TROY DAVIS - Execution DESPITE RECANTATIONSVogelDenise
- Troy Davis is scheduled to be executed on Tuesday for killing a police officer in 1989, despite significant issues with the case against him. Three of the four key witnesses who testified against him at trial have since recanted, saying they lied under pressure from police. Other witnesses now point to another man as the killer.
- The Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 has made it much harder for federal courts to overturn convictions, even in cases like Davis's where witnesses have recanted. This has helped block consideration of the new testimony in Davis's appeals.
- Questions around the fairness of Davis's trial and conviction have led a former FBI director and others beyond normal death penalty opponents to
Icpa forget the bogus cures. just make prisons decentSir Martin Narey
A challenge to the notion there are easy cures for offending. We need to treat prisoners with dignity and give them opportunities (education, job training) to change their own lives.
Forget about rehabilitation, concentrate on making prisons decent.Sir Martin Narey
Speech to the ICPA arguing that decent and respectful prisons will allow individual self growth and change. "Doing things" to prisoners in otherwise poor and disrespectful conditions will not.
Barry Prosser was found dead in his cell in Birmingham Prison in 1980 after being brutally beaten by prison officers. Three officers were charged with his murder but were acquitted. Violence against prisoners was common at the time and governors were expected to ignore it. The author joined the prison service after this incident. During their training, the author witnessed disrespectful treatment of visitors and slapping of a mentally ill prisoner. When they raised concerns about the violence, they were laughed at and told they may have made the wrong career choice, as looking the other way was normal. This introduction provides context about the prison environment and culture the author encountered when they first joined the service.
1) In 1966, the author was not popular at his school as the goalkeeper for the school football team that lost its final two games. Additionally, the local professional football team Middlesbrough FC was also struggling and was relegated that season.
2) Around the same time, some games from the 1966 FIFA World Cup were hosted in Middlesbrough at Ayresome Park stadium, as the originally scheduled stadiums in Newcastle lost the rights due to disputes. This led to improvements being made to Ayresome Park.
3) During the World Cup group stage games in Middlesbrough, North Korea shocked Italy by winning 1-0, eliminating the favorites and advancing instead, becoming the first non-European or
Extracts about HCPC from Narey report on Sw educationSir Martin Narey
HCPC regulates sixteen professions including social work. Its main function is public protection by setting standards for education and training. However, the standards for social workers are criticized as being too general. The 76 standards of proficiency could describe many occupations and few are specific to children's social work. Additionally, the standards of conduct, performance and ethics, and standards of education and training are seen as undemanding and not useful for preparing social workers. The university approval process involves only a brief paper-based review that does not observe teaching or placement quality. As a result, the author questions the value and effectiveness of HCPC in regulating social work.
Adoption: Resignation as Chair of the Leadership BoardSir Martin Narey
The author retired from Barnardo's in 2010 but was asked by The Times to write about declining adoption numbers, which led to adoption becoming a major part of their life. After five years of chairing the Adoption Leadership Board, the author has decided to step back slightly but will continue providing ad-hoc advice. While adoption consumed more time than anticipated, the author is proud that thousands of children have found permanence through adoption and improvements have been made to support, though more progress is still needed. The author expresses gratitude to social workers and adoption agencies for their work in children's best interests.
My report on Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre, commissioned by G4S and sent to the youth Justice Board, copied to the Ministry of Justice and G4S on July 28 2015
1) The author gave a speech to Directors of Children's Services where he suggested that local authority lawyers should be more assertive in pursuing adoption orders when in a child's best interests.
2) A blogger criticized the author's comments, arguing that he told lawyers to "grow a pair". The author responds that he urged social workers and lawyers not to lose nerve in applying for placement orders, especially given a recent fall in numbers.
3) The author believes the fall in placement order applications is concerning and could mean some neglected children's needs are not being met. The President of the Family Division has also expressed similar concerns about not pursuing adoption when it is the best option.
1. Adoption numbers increased significantly but will likely decrease as placement orders have plummeted due to misunderstandings following two court cases. However, a recent court ruling emphasized that adoption should still be pursued when in a child's best interests.
2. Plans to regionalize adoption services give local authorities opportunities to design more effective partnership models.
3. A new government subsidy aims to address delays when searching for adopters across local authorities for harder to place children.
The document outlines the UK government's plan to tackle child sexual exploitation in response to reports revealing widespread abuse in Rotherham over many years. Key points of the plan include establishing a national whistleblowing portal to report abuse, a national taskforce to support areas struggling to address the issue, consulting on extending the offence of "wilful neglect" to additional professionals, and conducting multi-agency inspections to better assess joint working between local authorities and other agencies responsible for child protection. The government aims to eliminate cultures of denial, improve accountability, and ensure child sexual abuse is prioritized across all police forces.
Need we panic about the fall in placement orders?Sir Martin Narey
The document discusses the recent fall in adoption numbers in England over the past few months. It notes that after steady increases in 2013-2014, placements and applications for placements have dropped troublingly. However, the author believes myths and misconceptions about recent court rulings led to unnecessary anxieties among adopters. A recent judgment by Sir James Munby aimed to correct these myths. While challenges to adoptions have increased, removal of an adopted child from their home remains extremely rare. The author hopes to see adoption numbers recover in 2015.
Adoption muddle is costing children their futuresSir Martin Narey
Thousands of children in the UK who could have been adopted are now facing remaining in care or living with relatives instead, due to a misunderstanding of recent court rulings on adoption law. The number of court decisions approving adoption plans has halved in the past year. While living with relatives can sometimes be preferable to adoption, there are also cases where more distant relatives cannot provide a stable home. The most senior family court judge clarified the law to prevent this misunderstanding, and local authorities must now urgently put more children up for adoption to transform their lives, as adoption can dramatically change the futures of disadvantaged children.
Local authorities varied widely in how promptly they applied for care orders to remove children from risky home situations. In some cases, children were quickly removed when concerns were recorded, while in other cases children were left at home for years facing significant developmental harm despite recorded risks, before the local authorities made decisive decisions.
The case for adoption in a nutshell from Sir James Munby, December 2014Sir Martin Narey
The document emphasizes that the Re B-S case was not meant to change adoption law and that local authorities should continue seeking care orders, placement orders, and adoption orders when adoption is in the child's best interests, as courts should continue making such orders.
This document summarizes a court ruling regarding a child welfare case. It discusses:
1) The background of the case involving the removal of a 2-year-old girl, ES, from her mother's care due to domestic violence and alcohol abuse by the parents.
2) The family court judge's decision to grant a care order for ES and allow the local authority to pursue adoption, rather than rehabilitation with the mother.
3) The mother's appeal of this ruling, claiming the judge did not properly consider the child's best interests or follow the guidance of a previous related court case.
The document discusses the recent decline in adoption numbers in the UK. It considers the argument that this could be a positive thing if more children were being reunited with families, but casts doubt on this. It notes the large magnitude and suddenness of the drop in adoption orders. There is also no evidence that past decisions to take more children into care or increase adoptions were inappropriate. While adoption may not be the best option for all, research shows it provides the most stability and permanence compared to long-term fostering or kinship care. The sudden drop in adoptions is concerning given the transformative effect it can have on children's lives.
Alb impact of court judgments on adoption - november 2014 (1) (1)Sir Martin Narey
This document seeks to clarify misconceptions about recent court judgments on adoption that have led to declines in adoption rates. It summarizes five common myths: 1) the legal test for adoption has not changed, 2) courts need only consider realistically possible options, not every suggested option, 3) "nothing else will do" does not mean pursuing less permanent options over adoption if adoption better meets the child's needs, 4) early planning for adoption is allowed if other options seem unlikely to work, and 5) the 26 week rule does not apply to placement orders as it does for care and supervision orders. The goal is to reassure local authorities they can still pursue adoption when properly evidenced as the best option to meet a child's
Martin Narey draft article on adoption mythbuster
Over the past three years, adoptions in the UK have increased by 63% due to adoption reforms. However, local authority decisions to pursue adoption have recently dropped 46% and placement order applications have more than halved, risking reversing progress. This seems to stem from misinterpretations of recent court judgements on care and adoption cases. The National Adoption Leadership Board has issued myth-busting guidance for local authorities to clarify what the judgements do and do not say in order to dispel myths that may be preventing some children from being adopted when it is in their best interests.
1. Last week I criticised Peter Hitchens on Twitter over his support for
the death penalty and his assertion that its re-introduction here
would save lives. I should say that I did so rather rudely and I have
apologised to him for that. But I still disagree with him and here,
briefly, is my rationale and why I believe that there is another
potentially much more effective, but almost as controversial, way of
reducing violent crime.
First of all I observe that the debate on the death penalty is often not
a debate at all. Individuals on either side take a firm stance and insist
that either executions deter or they don’t. In fact the research is
inconclusive. This was emphasised just this week by the National
Academy of Sciences in the USA, which advised policymakers to be
cautious of absolute claims – one way or another - about the
deterrent effect of execution. The Academy concluded that:
Studies have reached widely varying, even contradictory, conclusions.
Some studies conclude that executions save large numbers of lives;
others conclude that executions actually increase homicides; and still
others conclude that executions have no effect on homicide rate.
So, if the evidence is inconclusive, why am I in the anti-death-penalty
camp? First of all some background: For twenty-three years I worked
in and around prisons and I ran the Prison Service for seven years.
So, Yes, I am the same Martin Narey who, as Mr Hitchens put it last
week, “used to be a prominent bureaucrat in Britain’s pointless
warehousing organisation, known as the prison system?” (there’s
actually some validity in that description of the prison system, but
that’s another debate).
My experience of offenders is that punishment offers very little by
the way of deterrence. I made no apology for treating those we
incarcerate with decency and dignity. It’s about imposing our values,
not succumbing to the values of those who harm and steal from
others. But there would have been an interesting moral challenge to
my determination to make prisons more decent places if the various
experiments in the last thirty years with austere and physically
demanding regimes had deterred offending. But they didn’t. And the
reason they didn’t, in my view, is the same reason that the deterrent
of capital punishment wouldn’t work here. And that is that offenders,
overwhelmingly, don’t believe they will get caught. That is what we
need to change.
2. It can be done. The simplest example of that is the way that the habit
of drinking and driving, something which countless law abiding
individuals indulged in, was changed by the spectre of the
breathalyser. It was never the case that there was a significant
chance of being stopped on the way home from the pub. But
individuals believed there was and this particular type of criminality
diminished remarkably.
But in general, offenders, whether those who indulge in theft or those
who are violent don’t believe they will be caught. And because of that
they don’t contemplate the likely consequences of being caught. And
that applies, in my experience, even when the criminality has been so
inept that, to you and me, apprehension would always have appeared
inevitable.
Most crime is committed by young men. Not always, but very
frequently, by young men who have a marked inability to foresee the
consequences of their actions. Some more serious offending,
including sex offending, is less spontaneous, more carefully planned
and with greater effort dedicated to evading justice. But almost all
offenders don’t believe they are likely to be caught.
We can begin to change that. We can convince current offenders and
future offenders that they are more likely to be caught and we can, in
particular, deter violent crime, including murder by requiring all
adults, or at least all males, to allow their DNA to be recorded. I know
that position holds very little support and that it is seen by many as a
wholly unjustified attack on civil liberties. I believe it would be a
price worth paying if the person who this week abductedfive-year-
old April Jones had understood that it was inevitable that his
abduction would be revealed by the presence of his DNA.
One final point on the death penalty issue: Quite properly we have a
very high standard of proof in the criminal courts. As judges
sometimes explain to juries, believing someone probably committed
a crime is not sufficient for a finding of guilt. If a finding of guilt for
murder were to lead to a death penalty – and assuming of course that
the sentence was not subsequently commuted – I believe that juries
too nervous of the consequence of their decision would acquit more
murderers.