On Crime and Deviance: Issues within Jails and Prisons in the U.S.
(Worth 20 Points)
Instructions: Answer all questions listed below and react to Broken Justice: Stopping the Revolving Prison Door which takes a fascinating look into an experimental program that is trying to redefine the “correctional” aspect of jails in the U.S. With recidivism (the rate in which prisoners re-offend and return to jail) deemed as an ongoing, and out of control problem in the U.S. The question posed in this short film is: Whether or not a radical change in corrections is needed to curb the recidivism rate in the U.S.?
Video Links:
Broken Justice: Broken Justice in the U.S.
Video: Broken Justice: Stopping the Revolving Prison Door
[#1.] How many Americans are incarcerated in total currently? Is that surprising to you (why or why not)? Where does the U.S. rank among other countries in the imprisonment rate?
[#2.] What were the three inmates arrested for in the film? How many people are in the Montgomery Maximum Security Jail in Maryland? What is the range of crimes for inmates according to Officer Robert Greene?
[#3.] Officer Greene is trying to change the concept of incarceration and prevent recidivism. What is his underlying philosophy of the changes needed for U.S. jails? (Hint he starts talking about it at the 1:26 mark!)
[#4.] What is the name of the program that Officer Greene founded? Where does its funding come from? What is the rational and research behind the creation of the program?
[#5.] What does the American Job Center do for inmates? What is its ultimate goal for inmates? Why is this important for inmates returning back into mainstream society?
[#6.] One of the coaches from the program discusses the challenges for inmates beyond landing the job. What are these other challenges for even the most successful inmates in the program?
[#7.] What social issues and problems did Ashley Wilson face growing up? How many inmates in the U.S. jail and prison system suffer with addiction? Why will it be difficult for Ashley Wilson to return to her home community?
[#8.] While the reporter points out that some people want to see funding for similar education programs in community colleges and K-12 schools as opposed to jails and prisons. Officer Green points out that money could actually be saved with these programs. How could these programs save money for law enforcement and the criminal justice system? [Fun Fact: Michigan spends around $40,000 per year on each and every incarcerated individual and has a high recidivism rate as well.]
[#9.] What percentage of individuals reoffend and commit new crimes after being released? How quickly do most inmates reoffend (how long until they are back in jail)?
[#10.] What is a “ban the box law”? Do you see this as helpful for former inmates? Do companies and businesses still ask about criminal pasts? How does this defeat the purpose of the “ban the box laws”?
[#11.] Carlos (the car thief in the film) has now where to go after being released. However, this changes and he is accepted into a program to help him adjust. What kind of program is he accepted into and why was he allowed in it?
[#12.] How many jobs/ or occupations are inmates cut off from by having a criminal record? Does this surprise you? What other kinds of resources are people with criminal records not allowed access to according to the film?
[#13.] What is your reaction to this film? Did you realize that recidivism and returning to jail was so prevalent and complex of an issue?
