FreedomWriter314 | Anthony W.

"The modern penitentiary was conceived as a humane instrument of rehabilitation, not just punishment: The idea was that sitting alone on a cell contemplating one's transgressions... would lead to self-improvement" -Eric Schnurer (The Atlantic) Punishment has been in existence since the early colonial period and has continued throughout history as a method used to deter criminals from committing criminal acts. Philosophers believe that punishment is a necessity in today’s modern society as it is a worldwide response to crime and violence. The criminal punishment system in the United States is far from where it should be, without a doubt. The main goal of punishment, namely incarceration, should be to rehabilitate the offender effectively and securely so that they recognize the unlawful behavior, and have time to think about their actions.  When it comes to distinguishing, the intensity of the punishment should fit the seriousness of the crime.  For example, ...

The year 2009 marked the time of immense inmate reduction in the Federal Prison System, but that didn't seem to address the inversely changing problem occurring at the smaller, local level. Some municipalities have even reported rates that have tripled since 1983. But why is that? Brentin Mock of The Atlantic calls upon the three main issues that continue to fuel the explosive growth of inmate population of jails at the city and county level that may come as a shock.  Mock states, "Pre-trial detention  is often exacerbated and stretched longer than needed because people can’t make bail, post bonds, or because they’ve missed court dates, summonses, or have misread court instructions".  There has been a stark increase in the amount of inmates being held for pretrial purposes that fuels the crowding of prisons. As part of the legal process of trials, there are usually immense times between the time of the crime and the actual day the person is found innocent o...

"The idea that these lyrics could be deemed objectionable is extremely hurtful to me, and misleading. The song in fact is about the pain of prejudice and hate and is a way to draw attention to social and political problems. I am the voice of the accused and the attacked. I am the voice of everyone. I am the skinhead, I am the Jew, I am the black man, I am the white man. I am not the one who was attacking. It is about the injustices to young people and how the system can wrongfully accuse them. I am angry and outraged that I could be so misinterpreted." (Source here) Time and time again, especially in the social media universe we are surrounded in, biases and prejudices in the legal system tend to arise. Then notion of Michael's song, though often misconstrued or forgotten, is that government negligence and hateful, prejudice peoples are on the rise. The world is falling into a era where minorities are targeted while hate and poverty plagues the world. Ironically ...